1. Welcome
To our Presentation

5. French Revolution
Introduction:
A fundamental change brought about intentionally. French revolution , also called
revolution of 1789, the revolutionary movement that shook France between 1787
and 1799 and reached its first climax there in 1789. Hence the conventional term
“Revolution of 1789” , denoting the end of the ancient regime in France and
serving also distinguish that event from the later French Revolutions of 1830 and
1848. The French Revolution is now acclaimed as an important landmark in the
rise of democracy.
Liberty, Equality and Fraternity in the main theme of French Revolution .

7. Definition:
• The French Revolution was an epoch making event of the eighteenth
century.
• A 10 year period of events in France from 1789 to 1799 that led to wide
ranging political and social change and has had a huge impact on modern
world.
• The revolution abolished monarchy, made France a republic and ended in
dictatorship of Napoleon.
• The term describes the political , social , economic even ideological
upheaval that bought significant changes in France and the World.

8. French Society During Last 18th Century
LOUIS XVI:
 Born – 1774
 Louis XVI of Bourbon family .
 Crowned as French Monarch .
 He was 20 years old.
 Absolute Monarch but a weak ruler.
 Attempts reforms but many fail due to nobility.
 Married to Marie Antoinette.
 Upon his accession as new King
 Found Empty Treasury

9. Why Treasury empty?
• Long years of War – drained financial resources
• Cost of maintain extravagant court at immense place of Versailles
• Debt of 2 Million Livers under Louis XVI
• France helped British Colonies to gain independence – from common enemy Britain –war
added a Billion Livers to the Debt.
• Lenders who gave state credit – began to charge 10% interest on loans
• French government – obliged to spend an increasing percentage of its hedge on interest
payment
• The government increased taxes for meeting expenses

10. Marie Antoinette
• Queen of France
• Big Spender
• “let them eat cake”

12. What is estate?
• Before the revolution the French people were divides inti three groups.
• The first estate :the clergy
• The second estate: the nobility.
• The third estate : the common people
Legally the first two estates enjoyed many privileges, particularly exemption
from most taxation

13. French Society
French society was divided into 3 classes
called “Estates”
1st
2nd
3rd
First estate:
Catholic Church
Officials and clergy
2nd Estate:
Nobility and aristocracy
3rd estate:
1. Bourgeoisie-
educated city
lawyers, doctors ,
businessman
2. Peasants and
farmers

15. Estate 1st Estate 2nd Estate 3rd Estate
Composition Priest and clergy Nobles and landlords Doctors, lawyers, workers,
government employees
,peasants ,serfs , artisans, craft
man , professionals etc.
Population 90%
Social conditions Prosperous, pleasure loving Luxury and pleasure Educated class was financially
sound. The condition of
farmers and serfs was
miserable as they worked like
bonded laborers.
Privileges Political and economic
concessions
Reservation of military and
judicial posts- hereditary
Educated class was deprived
of higher posts
10 %

18. Causes
Political
Social
Economic
Intellectual

19. SOCIAL CAUSES
• French society was divided into three parts called estates.
• First Estate- Clergy included members of Catholic Church like bishops, monks, nuns ,
etc.
• Second Estate- Nobility included relatives of King and Queen and people with titles
like Duke , Baron, etc.
• Third Estate- commoners comprised everyone else from rich businessman to peasants
to even landless labors.
• Increase in population leading in increase in demand of food grains.
• Rise of middle class who were educated. They believed in equality irrespective of
economic background.

20. ECONOMIC CAUSES
• Empty treasury due to certain reason.
• Seven years War- A global War fought between the French and British empires with their
allies from 1756 to 1763.
• American War of Independence- France’s intervention to fight with America common
enemy, Britain.
• Money spent on maintaining palace of Versailles, national army and government offices
• Poor harvest
• Heavy taxation levied by the government.
• Taxes on everyday articles like salt
• Taxes by Church , called Tithes.
• All the taxes were borne by the Third estate.
• Financial reforms to eliminate privileges of the first two estates.

21. POLITICAL CAUSES
• Young King with lack of experience.
• Estate General- Body of representatives sent by the three estates.
• Meeting of Estates General took place on 5th June 1789.
• Third estate demanded change to the principle to, one person, one vote.
• Demand was rejected.
• National assembly of June 17th, 1789
• The news and fear spread all over France.

22. INTELLECTUAL CAUSES
• Liberty- Human Rights.
• The sovereignty of the people.
• Equality- Meant equal rights for all under the law.
• Age of enlightenment.
• Development of science and philosophy , rational thinking .
• Famous Thinkers and Philosophers:
 John Locke
 Jean-Jacques Rousseau- people’s sovereignty
 Voltaire- Freedom of speech and expression

25. Storming of the Bastille
On July 14,1789 the protest in the infamous Bastille of Paris, France. The French
Revolution by the fall of the bastille castle occurs. This revolution was the manifestation of
“Third Estate” or general people for hundreds of years in France . Prior to this revolution,
only about 5% of the people did not get tax. Those who used to get income tax could not
enjoy and benefit. And those who protested against this system were tortured and
imprisoned in Bastille fort . The Bastille fort was a symbol of torture and oppression of the
autocratic government . The elected representative on July 14,1789.
The members of the guard house and the angry people surrounded the Bastille fort moved
towards Bastille Castle.
In these demonstration almost two hundred revolutionary people were killed. The “citizen
Huard” pride of the monarchy played an effective role in the fall of the Bastille fort.
Especially after the popular minister. Necker was deposed on july 11,1789.The third
community formed a military named citizen Guard. This revel were able to destroy the fort
after a few hours of clashes. During this time, 98 revels and 8 royal spays were killed in
clashes between two sides.

29. Execution of the King
 On January 17,1793, Louis XVI was convicted of
treason
 After a hidden safe Tuileries was discovered
containing proof that Louis was plotting against the
Revolution with other countries, he was put on trial by
the Assembly.
 By small majority he was found guilty of treason &
sentenced to the guillotine
The instrument of
humane death!

31. The Directory
Promoted middle lass interests
Financial crisis
Food shortages
Rise Of Napoleon

32. Napoleon Becomes Emperor
 Popularity rises after victories over the
Austrians
 Establishment of the Bank of France
 Reconciliation with the Catholic Church
.
 Issues the Napoleonic Code- Eliminates
the Estate System
 Simplifies the law in France
 Uses the Continental system to isolate
Europe.
 Invasion of Russia fails and devastates
his army.

33. Legacies of the French Revolution
o End of absolutism
o Power of nobles ended
o Peasants become landowners
o Nationalism
o Enlightenment ideals