Modern History Book Summary
Chapter 19: An age of Revolutions 1789-1819
The French revolution served as a benchmark for Modern History 1789.
1 The origins of Revolution 1775-1789
Revolutionary movement in Europe
The American declaration of independence in 1776 and constitution in 1787 affected Europe
as well and started a movement in Europe. France was more motivated to win from the
English and in Ireland, Netherlands and Poland ideas of Liberalism spread and gained
momentum, especially for France.
In Ireland a reform movement arose, demanding more autonomy from Britain backed by an
army of local militia. Which ended in an agreement with the British government, forced by
the Irish catholic dominant population.
In the Netherlands, The patriots were inspired by the American rebellion for ‘freedom’. The
patriots revolted against the stadthouder, but in 1787 the power of the stadhouder was
reinstated.
In Poland the drive for political freedom also occurred. A commission was established to
write a constitution according to the American Model. Which led to the Polish constitution
in 1791. Catherine the Great, empress of Russia could not just sit by as a constitutional
government had emerged so close to her borders. Catherine invaded Poland and a later
revolt failed. Unlike the U.S, this constitutional experiment failed.
The American revolution and the kingdom of France
As Britain’s great commercial and political rival France was naturally drawn to Britain’s
struggle with the North-American colonies. During the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763) The
French had lost many colonies to Britain. France had an alliance with the U.S that helped
them tip the war in their favor and led to the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
France’s involvement for U.S freedom had internal consequences:
1. A Large debt was created.
2. French soldiers returning to France would glorify American freedom.
3. Benjamin Franklin was heavily inspired by the promise of enlightenment and belief of
human rationality, which was not recognizable in the Ancient regime.
4. From mid 1780’s it was evident a French revolution would take place, not if but when
and how.
,The crisis of the Ancient Regime
The Ancient Regime- political and social system prior to French revolution.
The Ancient regime was in crisis due to 3 factors:
1. Heavy debts facilitated by an old unfunctional system.
2. Institutionalized restraints on the Monarchy that heavily favored the privileged.
3. Public opinion set on reforms and demanded change from the monarchy.
Furthermore, there was an incapable King-- Louis the 16th.
And an Austrian, selfish, and wasteful queen--- Marie Antoinette
The fiscal system of the Ancient regime was set up to protect the rich through traditional
privileges. Therefore, the Monarchy was unable to collect the tax burdens from the rich and
elite. The parliament consisted of these elite who happily defended the privileges.
The emergence of a bad harvest only enlarged the nation’s financial problems. Louis XVI
instated financial ministers who had to fix the fiscal system and include nobles in payment.
However, many supported the parliaments as they were the only institution capable of
revolting against the monarchy, but some ‘’enlightened’’ members of parliament were
supporters of reforms.
Louis XVI tried to find support through a group of elites but found little support as they were
reluctant to give the monarchy free reign and go behind the parliament’s back. Some argued
the decision should be made through the Estates General.
While nobles and clergy ironically supported the call for the Estates General, as they knew
the Noble and Clergy (First estate+ Second Estate) would be enough for a majority and
would nullify any propositions of the Third Estate (commoners, or non-nobles)
Estates General
1788: mounting pressure led to Louis XVI assembling the Estates General. He was in a
troublesome position. Louis had hoped the radical propositions of the third Estates would
push the 1 and 2 estates to his side and sign the fiscal reforms.
A revolution begins 1789
As soon as the Estates General convened conflict ensued. Louis had failed to set up a
program of reforms, further questioning the monarchies will to reform. Furthermore, the 3
Estates were to assemble and vote separately. The Third Estates refused, and assembly was
hold off.
,More and more people were convinced that a French constitution was needed.
The Third estates named themselves as The national assembly. The representatives of all of
France. The National assembly wanted to convey but noticed they were locked outside and
decided to assemble in a Tennis court nearby, leading to the Tennis Court Oath. More
representatives of the first and second class joined. Eventually Louis XVI commanded the rest
of the 1 and 2 class to join the National Assembly. Meanwhile Louis 16 th commanded his
army to go to Paris. This put Parisians heavily on edge.
The storming of Bastille 1789
The dismissal of the reformistic minister of financial was enough to erupt Paris in
demonstrations and looting. The armed rebels attacked Bastille which had been a prison and
symbol of monarchial power. The prisoners were released, and the victory spread through
the nation who were also frustrated due to food shortages.
The National assembly instated the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen 1789.
Furthermore, the national assembly gave Louis XVI a veto right which could be revoked after
three years. A massive downgrade of the King’s absolute sovereignty before.
Louis XVI did assemble his national guard to Versailles as counter of the veto arrangement,
which angered the public further. A Women’s march of Versailles followed and led to
distribution of grain stockpile among citizens.
Phases of the Revolution 1789-1799
The French revolution was a series of smaller revolution with changing leadership, it was a
movement of change.
The first phase completed, 1789-1799
Paris remained a center for political debate, members of the National Assembly founded new
parties or joined existing once like the Jacobins----- Considered a radical pro-revolutionary
political party.
The united front of the Revolution began to disperse, especially after the Catholic church was
subjected to financial reforms. Clerical property was deemed public and sold, clergy men
were released of their clerical privileges and deemed civil servants through--- Civil
Constitution of the Clergy 1790. Priests and bishops who refused were killed or deported.
The C of the clergy fueled anti-revolutionary support of French citizens who still saw the
church as an institution of charity and kindness.
, Louis XVI was caught trying to escape France and planned to invade France with the support
of Austrian troops. The national assembly deemed the King to be unreliable and unfaithful.
More protests arose and the Massacre Champ de mars further fueled tensions between
moderate reformers who were satisfied with the constitutional monarchy and drastic
republicans who wanted the monarchy removed entirely.
New implementations of the constitution included:
1. Only half of the men could vote.
2. Mostly elites could attain high positions.
3. Women had no role in society. They did try enforce rights through:
A Declaration of the Rights of Woman, by De Gouges.
The fragility of the new system became evident. The new legislative assembly 1791 was
mostly dominated by Republicans and Jacobins. Furthermore, the more moderate and liberal
stance on the revolution were ---- The Girondins.
The policies of these new deputies led the constitutional monarchy to fall a year later.
The Second Phase and foreign war 1791-1793
Another problem for the revolutionary arose: Aristocratic Emigres had fled towards nearby
German states and wanted to invade France. Austria and the Prussia did show their support
through The declaration of Pillnitz 1791. In which the states would intervene if necessary to
support the French Monarchy.
1792: Louis XVI, under pressure of the Assembly, declared war on Austria and Prussia. The
war on first instance was a disaster: The army was unorganized due to the revolution, defeats
further increased discontent for the king.
Anti-governmental priests were being deported and the king’s personal guard was dismissed
by the Assembly. The king was made to wear a Liberty/Phrygian cap, a symbol of the
revolution.
Tensions grew and the Parisians were better organized than before. Small assemblies of
‘’ordinary’’ people who decided om daily tasks emerged called the Sans-culottes 1792.
Named because they could not afford elite fashions. They were influential and had alliances
