1. Don’t
Lose
Your
Head
The French Revolution Gets a Little Out of
Hand!

2. First Attempt to Change
Things
• In 1791, the French
established a
constitutional monarchy (a
monarchy with
established laws)
o This weakened the power of
the king
o Gave the people power to
elect a legislative body

3. Sadly….
• The Revolution became
more and more radical
o Within a few months, they
stopped using the
constitution
o They arrested the king
o The Legislature took over
the country and became
known as the Convention.

4. Second Round of
Changes….
• France became a republic with universal male suffrage
(what’s a republic? What’s suffrage?)
• Instituted a draft to fight other countries that might attack
them. (what’s a draft?)

5. Introducing the guillotine!
• To keep the people in line,
France began using the
guillotine.
• Enemies of the republic
(criminals or those rich
guys who might try and
restore the old ways) were
put to death by the
guillotine, which was
considered a quick death.
• Beheadings became
popular entertainment.

6. Introducing the Jacobins
• The most radical of the
revolutionaries belonged
to a group called the
Jacobins.
• Their leader was
Maximilien Robespierre.
• Quickly became a dictator
and started the “Reign of
Terror” (goodbye
republic!)

7. Reign of Terror
• 25000-40000 were put to death in the “Reign of Terror”
as threats to the republic.
• Even the King and Queen were put to death.
o Supposedly Marie Antoinette’s last words were “Let them eat cake.” (Not really
true)

8. What goes around….
• In 1794, the National Convention (governing body of the
French “Republic”) decided Robespierre was a danger
and sent him to the guillotine also.
• So now what??!!