The French Revolution: 1789-1799

I. Introduction: Define Revolution.

II. Origins:
A. Poor Leadership
B. American Revolution
C. Economic Problems
D. Problems with the Three Estates
E. Estates General/National Assembly

III. The First Revolution:
A. The Oath of the Tennis Court
B. Storming the Bastille
C. The Great Fear
D. Dec. of Rights of Man
E. Women Respond to Poverty and Revolution

IV. New Government: Constitutional Monarchy

V. Wars Abroad: 1792-1802
(“levee en masse”=draft)

VI. The Second Revolution Begins (1792)
A. Maximilian Robespierre
B. The Terror:
January 21, 1793: Louis le Dernier (Louis the Last)

VII. Thermidorean Reaction: 1794-1799
The Directory: 1795-1799

VIII. Significance

KEY LINES FROM THE DECLARATION OF RIGHTS OF MAN AND CITIZEN: “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights.”
We believe in “liberty, property, security, resistance to oppression”
“Every man is presumed innocent until he is proven guilty”
“Law is an expression of the general will”
“Free expression of thoughts and opinions is one of the most precious rights of mankind: every citizen may therefore speak, write, and publish freely.”


Calendar of the French Revolution:
1. Vendémiaire
2. Brumaire
3. Frimaire
4. Nivôse
5. Pluviôse
6. Ventôse
7. Germinal
8. Floréal
9. Prairial
10. Messidor
11. Thermidor
12. Fructidor