Unit+3

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At the seat of the French monarchy in 1770, an alliance between France and the Austria was created as King Louis XVI married Marie Antoinette. The king had inherited a financial crisis as France had sent millions of dollars and resources overseas to support the war. Poverty and malnourishment devastated the nation as the population in France continued to increase. Unrest was brewing as King Louis XVI called a meeting of the Estates-General to be held in May of 1789. Meanwhile, a brilliant orator who will later become a leader of the French Revolution named Maximillion Robespierre sharpened his debating and political skills. There were three major social groups in France, referred to as “estates.” The three estates were the nobility, the clergy, and the common people known as the Peasants. This estate comprised over 95% of the French population. A political and philosophical awakening spearheaded by thinkers such as Voltaire and Rousseau inspired the members of the Third Estate. This transformation, known as enlightenment, created rising expectations among the French people at the same time that malnourishment and harsh taxes turned them against an inept crown. Politically inspired, the Third Estate demanded popular representation, forming a political body known as the deputies. They demanded that France become a Constitutional Monarchy in which the Third Estate would be more fairly represented politically. After declaring their wishes to reorganize the French government in the “Tennis Court Oaths,” the Third Estate was met with violent repression. Though he recognized the need to compromise politically, Louis XVI soon started a campaign to re-establish power and put an end to the Revolution. The king’s repression incensed the French people, and hundreds of protestors stormed the bastee on July 14, 1789. Later that summer, the National Assembly outlined a basic human rights platform in a document written by the Marquis de Lafayette entitled Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Furious at the monarchy, a group of Parisian women marched to Versailles and demanded that the king and queen return to Paris. The Revolution continued over the next few years, as the king ordered repressive measures against protestors and as factions emerged among the Third Estate. In 1791, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette attempted to flee Paris but were recaptured and, in 1793, Louis XVI was executed by guillotine. Robespierre, who had been a major leader in the Revolution, responded to the chaos in France by handing over power to the revolutionaries with the goal of returning order. This attempt spiraled out of control as thousands of people suspected to be traitors of the Revolution were executed by guillotine. This chapter of the Revolution is known as the great terror. Toward the end of the Revolution, in 1794, Robespierre himself was put to death by guillotine and a more moderate group assumed a leadership role. This transfer from radicalism to a more moderate form of government is known as a democracy. Overall, the Revolution had transformed France. The era of divine right was over, the monarchy had been eliminated, and basic standards of human rights were established. The next phase of French history started shortly thereafter, as Napoleon took over through a coup in 1799 to become Emperor of France.


 * 1. This program opens with a discussion of Louis XVI’s inexperience as leader. How do you think Louis XVI’s qualities as a leader led to the French Revolution?** He had no qualities as a leader, no one wanted to continue being led by him so they decided to do something about it.


 * 2. What were some of the causes of the French Revolution discussed in this program?** Louis XVI’s inexperience to rule, and also failed to improve the financial situation.


 * What was the “Enlightenment”?** the movement which says don’t trust authority, don’t trust anything that you’ve been told by anybody else at all. Think it out for yourself, test it for yourself.
 * Who were some of its major thinkers and writers?** Maximillion Robespierre, John Paul Marat, and many others


 * 4. Why did the French people have such negative feelings toward Marie Antoinette?** she was spending ridiculous amounts of money on “fashions” and hair styles and basically wasting it on her own desires. She even gambled with her money. She also owed her country an heir to the thrown, seven years had passed and she still had not produced an heir.


 * 5. What was the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen”?** **How does it relate to the U.S. Constitution?** The declaration states that the rights of Man are universal, or they were considered equal. The sovereignty belonged to the people. I don’t know how it relates.


 * 6. What was the Third Estate? Which groups in French society did it include?** The Third Estate were the lowest class people, the peasants.


 * 7. One of the historians interviewed in this program calls the French Revolution “the crossroads of the modern world.” What do you think this means? Do you agree with this claim?**


 * 8. At first, it seemed that King Louis XVI would cooperate with some of the demands of the Third Estate. Why do you think he ultimately reacted so violently against them?** He was a captive in his own city because of all of their revolting and anger and thirst for blood and heads.


 * 9. What kind of leader was Robespierre? Do you think he did a good job of representing the wishes of the French people?** This guy had the kind of persuasion and effectiveness in his voice when he spoke that people actually listened to him, and they actually wanted to listen to him. Yes, I believe he did do a good job with their wishes.


 * 10.What was the role of women in the French Revolution? Can you think of some examples of their contribution to the Revolution from this program?** They stormed the palace in search of the queen with the plan to kill her, and when they had gotten the attention of the king, they made them to move to paris.


 * 11.Why do you think the initial goals of the Revolution became so distorted during the “Reign of Terror”? Why do you think Robespierre had so much fear of political traitors?** Because people were paranoid, and killed anyone who said and bad comment about the revolution. Robespierre was paranoid as well during this time and the people he feared most were the political traitor.


 * 12.What do you think were the most important long-term effects of the French Revolution? What were its legacies?** They didn’t have a monarchy for a long time.