Lecture 4 -- the French Revolution

 

I.               Introduction

A.    Announcements

B.    Review

C.    Framing Questions

1.     What led to the French revolution? What was the relationship between the FR and the Enlightenment?  Between the FR and Absolutism?

2.     What are the Phases of the French Revolution?

3.     Do the failures of the French revolution suggest that revolutions have to degenerate into terror?

4.     Can the FR be seen as the origins of both modern democracy and modern totalitarianism?

5.     Is a regime democratic if it does not allow poor men, women, or blacks to vote?

II.             French Revolution

A.    it was never obvious that a bloody revolution was about to occur

B.     Causes of Rev

1.     Causes Not Specific To France

a.     Classical Liberal Thought of the Enlightenment

b.     agricultural and industrial developments of the 1600 and 1700s

c.     population  explosion

d.     American Revolution

2.     Specifically French Causes

a.     Economic Problems

b.     Social Causes

c.     Political Causes

II.   Phases of Revolution

            A. Phases

                        1. 1789-1791 Popular Revolt:  estates General and National Assembly

                        2. 1791-1792 Instability

                        3. 1792-1794 Terror National Convention

                        4. 1794-1799 Restoration

B. Popular Revolt

C. Instability

D. Terror (National Convention (1792-1795).. 

E.    Restoration 1794-1799 (Directory)

F.    Napoleon

Questions:

¥         Why was the ÒDeclaration of the Rights of ManÓ so radical in its time?  What prompted its creation?

¥         What prompted de Gouges to write her declaration?  What does she demand?

¥         What led to the French revolution? How would you periodize it?  How would you characterize each phase?  Is NapoleonÕs rule part of your periodization?  Why or Why not?

¥         Do the failures of the French revolution suggest that revolutions have to degenerate into terror?

¥         Can the FR be seen as the origin of modern democracy or modern totalitarianism?

¥         Is a regime democratic if it does not allow poor men, women, or blacks to vote?

¥         What is a Sans-Culotte?

¥         For lecture:  What was the Napoleonic Code?  What kinds of innovations does Napoleon introduce?

TERMS

Agricultural revolution

American revolution

Marquid de Lafayette

Louis XVI (1774-1793)

Marie Antionette

Parliament of Paris

Estates-General

General and National Assembly

Versailles

Tennis Court Oath

Bastille

Bread March

Legislative Assembly

Jacobins

Committee for Public Safety

 Maximilien Robespierre (1758-1794)

Sans-Culottes

 Reign of Terror

Napoleon Bonaparte