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5.4 The French Revolution

6 min readjanuary 1, 2023

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

France was a nation of art, culture, and prosperity - until they encountered a fiscal/financial crisis due to their debts. The combination of Enlightenment thinking, disparities in the social structure, and an extreme shortage of bread all caused the break out of a flaming .

Causes of the French Revolution

Enlightenment Ideas

During the Age of Enlightenment, philosophical thinkers began to ask questions. The peasant class, no longer enamored by the rule of the monarchy, took action for freedom. New ideas about liberty and equality took root.

High society lived in grandeur off of the backs of the , or middle class. Instead of viewing the nobility as pre-ordained by God to have wealth and power, peasants saw the inequity of the social system and were discontent with it.

French Financial Ruin

was a weak man and a weak king. He took the French throne in 1774 with his wife, . Although wanted to please everyone, he ended up pleasing nobody due to his passive nature, lack of wisdom as a ruler, and his tendency to be manipulated by those around him.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2Fgiphy%20(2).webp?alt=media&token=8e94c47b-c6dc-4c18-ac3d-bf9b8bef524f

After the , France was debt-ridden; yet, they could not see past the end of their own nose. When the broke out, France increased their economic burden by aiding the Americans in a petty attempt to get back at the British. After the American colonies bested the British with France’s help, they did not repay France the money that had been lent to them.

🎥 Watch: AP Europe - 7 Years' War & American Revolution

was becoming increasingly unpopular along with his queen, . continued to waste limited French money to pay for her luxurious lifestyle and outrageous fashion. 

As King struggled to deal with France’s financial ruin - caused by the and made worse by France’s part in the - the only solution proposed by his advisors was to tax the poor. Taxation was inconsistent across the country and did not impact the rich - who had few taxes if any.

If an economic crisis weren’t enough to put the population on the verge of an explosion, France was also hit by a series of inopportune crop seasons. Harsh summers and unforgiving winters decimated peasants’ harvests. The shortage caused the price of bread to go through the roof exponentially - leaving the Third Estate poor, starving, and in a state of active revolt.

Heading to Revolution

The Three Estates

France was composed of :

  • The First Estate was the Catholic clergy. ⛪

  • The Second Estate was the nobility. 👑

  • Meanwhile, the Third Estate was made up of the peasants and middle class - roughly 98% of the entire French population. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑🧑‍🤝‍🧑🧑‍🤝‍🧑

In an attempt to quell the violence, called members of the together at the - the closest thing France had to a government beyond the monarchy.

A voting system made for the . One vote was given to each estate - despite the fact that the Third Estate consisted of 27 million people. This unfair system allowed the first two estates to gang up on the peasants. When it was proposed that taxes on the Third Estate be raised yet again, the single vote against it representing the entire middle class was overruled by the votes in favor cast by the clergy and nobility.

The National Assembly and Tennis Court Oath

After they realized they would continuously be outvoted by the upper estates, the Third Estate made their own meeting: the . On June 20, 1789, they all took the - a pledge to continue meeting until King made economic reforms and increased equality between the social classes.

Fear and anger were stepping stones to radical revolution. On July 14, the 's Bourgeois Militia, also known as the , raided the for gunpowder and weapons. 

With ’s help, the created — a constitution that would ensure equal rights for men.  This document would further inspire the people to rise up.

Women in the Revolution

Women also took an active role in the . On October 5, they led the March on Versailles (also known as the October March) - where they demanded that they get bread for their families and that King return to Paris.

wrote The Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Citizen, which extended liberties and equality to women. Although this document was not adopted and de Gouges was executed later during the , it showed that women also had a voice and were determined to get rights of their own.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2FOlympe-de-Gouges.jpg?alt=media&token=6f401712-6dcf-411c-899b-9e9c7b0af491

Phases of the French Revolution

The First Phase: Liberal Reform

The first phase of the overall established constitutional monarchy, increased popular participation, nationalized the Catholic Church, and abolished hereditary privileges. 

With the , King was reduced to a mere figurehead. However, many were left unsatisfied that he had not been completely removed from power. A divide became evident between revolutionaries - moderates who were in favor of a figurehead king and radicals who wanted drastic change through the deposal of the monarchy. Radicals like the were out for blood, especially the blood of the royals.

The Second Phase: The Reign of Terror

The second phase of the was the culmination of violence that was brewed by the continual oppression of the Third Estate. This period is known as the infamous Reign of Terror, led by

The was declared in September of 1792, with the monarchy indefinitely suspended. Although they moved to become more democratic and equal, the was deeply suspicious and harshly attacked loyalists who supported the old French order.

This paranoia heavily impacted the church. Priests who refused to comply and swear fealty to the revolutionary regime were swiftly deported. Moreover, a new atheistic religion was implemented by the state: the . Catholic churches were converted to “Temples of Reason.” The even went as far as replacing the Christian calendar.

Enemies of the revolution were rounded up and imprisoned. During the , mass members of the nobility and clergy were executed. Soon, and would face the guillotine as well. During the Reign of Terror, suspected counter-revolutionaries were executed.

The - led by Robespierre himself - was devoted to eliminating potential conspirators. Spies and secret police kept a close watch on French citizens. An estimated 40,000 people were executed for “suspected insurrection” in total; the height of the executions was even called the .

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F739b8e69aec6523fd5b6993bd0125155.png?alt=media&token=d8e066aa-38d7-4842-9327-90f3d287d651

Robespierre eventually became too radical, even for his radical followers. He created the Cult of the Supreme Being and wanted to be worshipped. His terror tactics finally ended in July of 1794, when he himself was sent to the same guillotine fate he had sentenced countless others to.

The restored moderate rule to the . Now, it was the radicals who faced execution under the . The was established to limit any one individual from taking power, but they were an ineffective government body. In 1799, the came to an end.

🎥 Watch: AP Europe - French Revolution Part 1

Key Terms to Review (32)

American Revolution

: The American Revolution was a political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from British rule, establishing themselves as independent United States.

Bastille

: The Bastille was a fortress in Paris, known formally as the Bastille Saint-Antoine. It played an important role in internal conflicts of France and for most of its history was used as a state prison by the kings of France.

Bourgeoisie

: The bourgeoisie is a social class that emerged during the middle ages in Europe, typically characterized by their ownership of capital and their role in commerce and industry. They are often referred to as the middle-class entrepreneurs.

Committee of Public Safety

: The Committee of Public Safety was a political body established in France during the French Revolution. It held de facto executive power, effectively governing the country and implementing policies to protect the newly formed republic against foreign attacks and internal rebellion.

Constitution of 1791

: The Constitution of 1791 was the first written constitution in France, created after the collapse of the absolute monarchy. It established a constitutional monarchy with Louis XVI as head but with limited powers.

Cult of Reason

: The Cult of Reason was an atheistic belief system established in France during the French Revolution. It rejected supernatural beliefs and focused instead on rational thought and human morality.

Enlightenment Ideas

: Enlightenment ideas refer to philosophical thoughts from the 18th century that emphasized reason, individualism, skepticism towards tradition, and improvement in human condition through science.

Estates-General

: The Estates-General was a legislative assembly in France until 1789, representing the three estates. It had no real power but served as an advisory body to the king.

French Republic

: The French Republic refers to the government of France since the collapse of absolute monarchy in the late 18th century. It is characterized by democratic rule, secularism, and a strong emphasis on individual rights.

French Revolution

: The French Revolution was a period of radical political and societal change in France from 1789 until 1799 which led to the collapse of Bourbon monarchy and rise of radical political factions.

Great Terror

: Also known as "The Purge," it was a campaign led by Joseph Stalin during his leadership in Soviet Russia between 1936-1938. It involved widespread arrests, executions, and forced labor for millions accused as enemies or traitors to communism.

Jacobin Club

: The Jacobin Club was a political group that emerged during the French Revolution. They were known for their radical ideas and actions, including advocating for the abolition of monarchy and establishing a republic.

Liberal Reform Phase

: The Liberal Reform phase is considered as first stage in French Revolution from 1789 to 1791 where moderate reforms were implemented aiming at limiting powers of monarchy through constitution.

Louis XVI

: Louis XVI was the last king of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution. He reigned from 1774 until 1792.

March on Versailles (October March)

: The March on Versailles, also known as the October March, was a significant event during the French Revolution where women in Paris led a march to the Palace of Versailles to demand King Louis XVI address their concerns about bread shortages and high prices.

Marie Antoinette

: Marie Antoinette was an Austrian-born queen consort of France as wife of Louis XVI. She became a symbol for the excesses of the monarchy and is often credited with exacerbating their unpopularity.

Maximilien Robespierre

: Maximilien Robespierre was a French lawyer and statesman who became one of the most influential figures during the French Revolution. He is best known for his role in arranging executions during the Reign of Terror.

National Assembly

: The National Assembly was a revolutionary assembly formed by the representatives of the Third Estate (the common people) in France during the French Revolution in 1789. It was created as a response to frustrations over lack of representation and unfair taxation.

National Guard

: The National Guard was a citizen militia established by the middle class in Paris (the bourgeoisie) during the French Revolution for their protection against royal forces.

Olympe de Gouges

: Olympe de Gouges was a French playwright and political activist whose feminist writings reached prominence during the French Revolution. She is best known for her "Declaration of Rights of Woman" (1791).

Phases of the French Revolution

: The French Revolution, which took place from 1789 to 1799, is typically divided into three phases: the Liberal Reform Phase (1789-1791), the Radical Phase (1792-1794), and the Thermidorian Reaction/Directory Phase (1795-1799). Each phase represents a different period of political and social change in France.

Reign of Terror Phase

: The Reign of Terror (1793-1794) was a period during the French Revolution when those suspected of being enemies of the revolution were arrested or executed by guillotine.

September Massacre

: The September Massacres were a wave of killings in Paris and other cities in late summer 1792, during the French Revolution. It was fueled by fear that foreign and royalist armies would attack Paris and that inmates of the city's prisons would revolt.

Seven Years’ War

: The Seven Years' War was a global conflict fought between 1756 and 1763. It involved every European great power of the time and spanned five continents, affecting Europe, the Americas, West Africa, India, and the Philippines.

Tennis Court Oath

: The Tennis Court Oath was a pledge taken by members of France's National Assembly in 1789 where they vowed not to disband until they had written a new constitution for France.

The Declaration of Rights of Women and Citizen

: This document, written by Olympe de Gouges in 1791, was a response to the French Revolution's Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. It argued for full legal, social and political equality between men and women.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen

: This is a fundamental document from French Revolution that outlined individual rights as universal. It was adopted by National Constituent Assembly in August 1789.

Thermidorian Directory

: The Thermidorian Directory was a five-man executive body established in France after Robespierre's fall on 9th Thermidor Year II (27 July 1794). It marked a return to conservative republicanism, economic liberalism, and anticlericalism after periods of radical policy.

Thermidorian Reaction

: The Thermidorian Reaction was a revolt in the French Revolution against the excesses of the Reign of Terror. It led to the fall of Maximilien Robespierre and marked an end to radical Jacobin rule.

Thomas Jefferson

: Thomas Jefferson was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher who served as third president of United States from 1801-1809. He is also known for drafting Declaration Of Independence.

Three Estates

: In pre-revolutionary France, society was divided into three 'estates': The First Estate (clergy), Second Estate (nobility), and Third Estate (commoners).

White Terror

: The White Terror refers to a period of political violence and repression in France that occurred from 1794-1795, following the end of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. It was characterized by mass arrests, executions, and violent attacks against perceived enemies of the state.

5.4 The French Revolution

6 min readjanuary 1, 2023

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

Jillian Holbrook

France was a nation of art, culture, and prosperity - until they encountered a fiscal/financial crisis due to their debts. The combination of Enlightenment thinking, disparities in the social structure, and an extreme shortage of bread all caused the break out of a flaming .

Causes of the French Revolution

Enlightenment Ideas

During the Age of Enlightenment, philosophical thinkers began to ask questions. The peasant class, no longer enamored by the rule of the monarchy, took action for freedom. New ideas about liberty and equality took root.

High society lived in grandeur off of the backs of the , or middle class. Instead of viewing the nobility as pre-ordained by God to have wealth and power, peasants saw the inequity of the social system and were discontent with it.

French Financial Ruin

was a weak man and a weak king. He took the French throne in 1774 with his wife, . Although wanted to please everyone, he ended up pleasing nobody due to his passive nature, lack of wisdom as a ruler, and his tendency to be manipulated by those around him.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2Fgiphy%20(2).webp?alt=media&token=8e94c47b-c6dc-4c18-ac3d-bf9b8bef524f

After the , France was debt-ridden; yet, they could not see past the end of their own nose. When the broke out, France increased their economic burden by aiding the Americans in a petty attempt to get back at the British. After the American colonies bested the British with France’s help, they did not repay France the money that had been lent to them.

🎥 Watch: AP Europe - 7 Years' War & American Revolution

was becoming increasingly unpopular along with his queen, . continued to waste limited French money to pay for her luxurious lifestyle and outrageous fashion. 

As King struggled to deal with France’s financial ruin - caused by the and made worse by France’s part in the - the only solution proposed by his advisors was to tax the poor. Taxation was inconsistent across the country and did not impact the rich - who had few taxes if any.

If an economic crisis weren’t enough to put the population on the verge of an explosion, France was also hit by a series of inopportune crop seasons. Harsh summers and unforgiving winters decimated peasants’ harvests. The shortage caused the price of bread to go through the roof exponentially - leaving the Third Estate poor, starving, and in a state of active revolt.

Heading to Revolution

The Three Estates

France was composed of :

  • The First Estate was the Catholic clergy. ⛪

  • The Second Estate was the nobility. 👑

  • Meanwhile, the Third Estate was made up of the peasants and middle class - roughly 98% of the entire French population. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑🧑‍🤝‍🧑🧑‍🤝‍🧑

In an attempt to quell the violence, called members of the together at the - the closest thing France had to a government beyond the monarchy.

A voting system made for the . One vote was given to each estate - despite the fact that the Third Estate consisted of 27 million people. This unfair system allowed the first two estates to gang up on the peasants. When it was proposed that taxes on the Third Estate be raised yet again, the single vote against it representing the entire middle class was overruled by the votes in favor cast by the clergy and nobility.

The National Assembly and Tennis Court Oath

After they realized they would continuously be outvoted by the upper estates, the Third Estate made their own meeting: the . On June 20, 1789, they all took the - a pledge to continue meeting until King made economic reforms and increased equality between the social classes.

Fear and anger were stepping stones to radical revolution. On July 14, the 's Bourgeois Militia, also known as the , raided the for gunpowder and weapons. 

With ’s help, the created — a constitution that would ensure equal rights for men.  This document would further inspire the people to rise up.

Women in the Revolution

Women also took an active role in the . On October 5, they led the March on Versailles (also known as the October March) - where they demanded that they get bread for their families and that King return to Paris.

wrote The Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Citizen, which extended liberties and equality to women. Although this document was not adopted and de Gouges was executed later during the , it showed that women also had a voice and were determined to get rights of their own.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2FOlympe-de-Gouges.jpg?alt=media&token=6f401712-6dcf-411c-899b-9e9c7b0af491

Phases of the French Revolution

The First Phase: Liberal Reform

The first phase of the overall established constitutional monarchy, increased popular participation, nationalized the Catholic Church, and abolished hereditary privileges. 

With the , King was reduced to a mere figurehead. However, many were left unsatisfied that he had not been completely removed from power. A divide became evident between revolutionaries - moderates who were in favor of a figurehead king and radicals who wanted drastic change through the deposal of the monarchy. Radicals like the were out for blood, especially the blood of the royals.

The Second Phase: The Reign of Terror

The second phase of the was the culmination of violence that was brewed by the continual oppression of the Third Estate. This period is known as the infamous Reign of Terror, led by

The was declared in September of 1792, with the monarchy indefinitely suspended. Although they moved to become more democratic and equal, the was deeply suspicious and harshly attacked loyalists who supported the old French order.

This paranoia heavily impacted the church. Priests who refused to comply and swear fealty to the revolutionary regime were swiftly deported. Moreover, a new atheistic religion was implemented by the state: the . Catholic churches were converted to “Temples of Reason.” The even went as far as replacing the Christian calendar.

Enemies of the revolution were rounded up and imprisoned. During the , mass members of the nobility and clergy were executed. Soon, and would face the guillotine as well. During the Reign of Terror, suspected counter-revolutionaries were executed.

The - led by Robespierre himself - was devoted to eliminating potential conspirators. Spies and secret police kept a close watch on French citizens. An estimated 40,000 people were executed for “suspected insurrection” in total; the height of the executions was even called the .

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F739b8e69aec6523fd5b6993bd0125155.png?alt=media&token=d8e066aa-38d7-4842-9327-90f3d287d651

Robespierre eventually became too radical, even for his radical followers. He created the Cult of the Supreme Being and wanted to be worshipped. His terror tactics finally ended in July of 1794, when he himself was sent to the same guillotine fate he had sentenced countless others to.

The restored moderate rule to the . Now, it was the radicals who faced execution under the . The was established to limit any one individual from taking power, but they were an ineffective government body. In 1799, the came to an end.

🎥 Watch: AP Europe - French Revolution Part 1

Key Terms to Review (32)

American Revolution

: The American Revolution was a political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from British rule, establishing themselves as independent United States.

Bastille

: The Bastille was a fortress in Paris, known formally as the Bastille Saint-Antoine. It played an important role in internal conflicts of France and for most of its history was used as a state prison by the kings of France.

Bourgeoisie

: The bourgeoisie is a social class that emerged during the middle ages in Europe, typically characterized by their ownership of capital and their role in commerce and industry. They are often referred to as the middle-class entrepreneurs.

Committee of Public Safety

: The Committee of Public Safety was a political body established in France during the French Revolution. It held de facto executive power, effectively governing the country and implementing policies to protect the newly formed republic against foreign attacks and internal rebellion.

Constitution of 1791

: The Constitution of 1791 was the first written constitution in France, created after the collapse of the absolute monarchy. It established a constitutional monarchy with Louis XVI as head but with limited powers.

Cult of Reason

: The Cult of Reason was an atheistic belief system established in France during the French Revolution. It rejected supernatural beliefs and focused instead on rational thought and human morality.

Enlightenment Ideas

: Enlightenment ideas refer to philosophical thoughts from the 18th century that emphasized reason, individualism, skepticism towards tradition, and improvement in human condition through science.

Estates-General

: The Estates-General was a legislative assembly in France until 1789, representing the three estates. It had no real power but served as an advisory body to the king.

French Republic

: The French Republic refers to the government of France since the collapse of absolute monarchy in the late 18th century. It is characterized by democratic rule, secularism, and a strong emphasis on individual rights.

French Revolution

: The French Revolution was a period of radical political and societal change in France from 1789 until 1799 which led to the collapse of Bourbon monarchy and rise of radical political factions.

Great Terror

: Also known as "The Purge," it was a campaign led by Joseph Stalin during his leadership in Soviet Russia between 1936-1938. It involved widespread arrests, executions, and forced labor for millions accused as enemies or traitors to communism.

Jacobin Club

: The Jacobin Club was a political group that emerged during the French Revolution. They were known for their radical ideas and actions, including advocating for the abolition of monarchy and establishing a republic.

Liberal Reform Phase

: The Liberal Reform phase is considered as first stage in French Revolution from 1789 to 1791 where moderate reforms were implemented aiming at limiting powers of monarchy through constitution.

Louis XVI

: Louis XVI was the last king of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution. He reigned from 1774 until 1792.

March on Versailles (October March)

: The March on Versailles, also known as the October March, was a significant event during the French Revolution where women in Paris led a march to the Palace of Versailles to demand King Louis XVI address their concerns about bread shortages and high prices.

Marie Antoinette

: Marie Antoinette was an Austrian-born queen consort of France as wife of Louis XVI. She became a symbol for the excesses of the monarchy and is often credited with exacerbating their unpopularity.

Maximilien Robespierre

: Maximilien Robespierre was a French lawyer and statesman who became one of the most influential figures during the French Revolution. He is best known for his role in arranging executions during the Reign of Terror.

National Assembly

: The National Assembly was a revolutionary assembly formed by the representatives of the Third Estate (the common people) in France during the French Revolution in 1789. It was created as a response to frustrations over lack of representation and unfair taxation.

National Guard

: The National Guard was a citizen militia established by the middle class in Paris (the bourgeoisie) during the French Revolution for their protection against royal forces.

Olympe de Gouges

: Olympe de Gouges was a French playwright and political activist whose feminist writings reached prominence during the French Revolution. She is best known for her "Declaration of Rights of Woman" (1791).

Phases of the French Revolution

: The French Revolution, which took place from 1789 to 1799, is typically divided into three phases: the Liberal Reform Phase (1789-1791), the Radical Phase (1792-1794), and the Thermidorian Reaction/Directory Phase (1795-1799). Each phase represents a different period of political and social change in France.

Reign of Terror Phase

: The Reign of Terror (1793-1794) was a period during the French Revolution when those suspected of being enemies of the revolution were arrested or executed by guillotine.

September Massacre

: The September Massacres were a wave of killings in Paris and other cities in late summer 1792, during the French Revolution. It was fueled by fear that foreign and royalist armies would attack Paris and that inmates of the city's prisons would revolt.

Seven Years’ War

: The Seven Years' War was a global conflict fought between 1756 and 1763. It involved every European great power of the time and spanned five continents, affecting Europe, the Americas, West Africa, India, and the Philippines.

Tennis Court Oath

: The Tennis Court Oath was a pledge taken by members of France's National Assembly in 1789 where they vowed not to disband until they had written a new constitution for France.

The Declaration of Rights of Women and Citizen

: This document, written by Olympe de Gouges in 1791, was a response to the French Revolution's Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. It argued for full legal, social and political equality between men and women.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen

: This is a fundamental document from French Revolution that outlined individual rights as universal. It was adopted by National Constituent Assembly in August 1789.

Thermidorian Directory

: The Thermidorian Directory was a five-man executive body established in France after Robespierre's fall on 9th Thermidor Year II (27 July 1794). It marked a return to conservative republicanism, economic liberalism, and anticlericalism after periods of radical policy.

Thermidorian Reaction

: The Thermidorian Reaction was a revolt in the French Revolution against the excesses of the Reign of Terror. It led to the fall of Maximilien Robespierre and marked an end to radical Jacobin rule.

Thomas Jefferson

: Thomas Jefferson was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher who served as third president of United States from 1801-1809. He is also known for drafting Declaration Of Independence.

Three Estates

: In pre-revolutionary France, society was divided into three 'estates': The First Estate (clergy), Second Estate (nobility), and Third Estate (commoners).

White Terror

: The White Terror refers to a period of political violence and repression in France that occurred from 1794-1795, following the end of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. It was characterized by mass arrests, executions, and violent attacks against perceived enemies of the state.


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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.