The Storming of the Bastille and the End of the Ancien Régime
The French Revolution reshaped France, starting with the storming of the Bastille, signaling the end of the Ancien Régime. It led to the establishment of a new political order, drafting of a new constitution, and significant changes to the Catholic Church. Political divisions and economic crises fueled the transition from a monarchy to a republic, culminating in the execution of Louis XVI.
See moreThe Storming of the Bastille and the End of the Ancien Régime
The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, was a pivotal moment in the French Revolution, signaling the end of the Ancien Régime's absolute monarchy and the beginning of a new era of political and social upheaval. Although the Bastille, a state prison, contained only seven prisoners at the time, it was a potent symbol of the monarchy's autocratic power. The fortress's fall came after widespread discontent due to economic hardship, the king's dismissal of the popular finance minister Jacques Necker, and the presence of foreign troops in Paris. The revolt was further fueled by the king's indecisiveness and the solidarity of the Gardes Françaises with the revolutionaries. The governor of the Bastille, Marquis Bernard-René de Launay, was killed, and the fortress was subsequently dismantled, its destruction representing the people's triumph over despotism.The Establishment of a New Political Order
Following the fall of the Bastille, King Louis XVI made concessions to regain control, including the appointment of the Marquis de Lafayette as commander of the National Guard and Jean-Sylvain Bailly as the mayor of Paris. However, these actions could not restore the monarchy's authority. The king's subsequent visit to Paris, where he was greeted as a symbol of national unity rather than as an absolute ruler, highlighted his diminished status. The National Constituent Assembly, initially united in opposition to the monarchy, soon faced internal divisions over the future political structure of France. The Assembly's August Decrees abolished feudal privileges and the sale of offices, marking a significant step towards a more egalitarian society and the dismantling of the old feudal order.Drafting a New Constitution
The National Constituent Assembly set out to create a new constitution that would redefine the relationship between the citizens and the state. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, adopted on August 26, 1789, articulated universal rights and the principles of popular sovereignty, influenced by Enlightenment thinkers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Montesquieu. The Assembly's debates led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy with a unicameral legislature and a king who possessed a suspensive veto. However, the distinction between "active" citizens, who had political rights, and "passive" citizens, who did not, created new social and political tensions, particularly among the poorer segments of society who were excluded from direct political participation.The Revolution's Impact on the Church
The French Revolution brought about profound changes to the Catholic Church in France, which had been a major pillar of the Ancien Régime. The confiscation of church lands and the abolition of tithes under the August Decrees weakened the church's economic base. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy, passed in 1790, reorganized the church hierarchy and required clergy to swear an oath of loyalty to the state, leading to a schism within the church. Many clergy refused to take the oath, becoming known as "non-juring" or refractory priests, and this division exacerbated religious and political tensions within France, contributing to counter-revolutionary sentiment in some regions.Political Divisions and the Path to War
The aftermath of the Bastille's fall saw the National Constituent Assembly grappling with legislative reforms amidst growing political fragmentation. The political landscape was divided among various factions, including the conservative Feuillants, who supported a constitutional monarchy; the radical Jacobins, who advocated for a republic; and the moderate Girondins. The influence of the Jacobin clubs grew, particularly among the sans-culottes, the working-class militants of Paris. The Assembly's attempts to address the nation's financial crisis and to quell radicalism were met with challenges, as economic hardship and food scarcity led to further popular demonstrations, such as the Women's March on Versailles in October 1789, which resulted in the royal family's forced relocation to Paris.The Decline of the Monarchy and the Rise of the Republic
The attempted flight of King Louis XVI and his family to Varennes in June 1791 severely undermined the monarchy's legitimacy and intensified the revolutionary fervor. The newly formed Legislative Assembly, which succeeded the National Constituent Assembly in October 1791, faced internal discord and external threats. The king's reluctance to support the Assembly's reforms and his use of the veto power alienated many revolutionaries. The escalating conflict with Austria and Prussia, who sought to restore Louis XVI's absolute power, culminated in the Brunswick Manifesto, which threatened Paris. The radical insurrection of August 10, 1792, resulted in the storming of the Tuileries Palace and the suspension of the king. This decisive action by the revolutionaries led to the proclamation of the First French Republic on September 22, 1792, and the eventual execution of Louis XVI, marking the end of the French monarchy.Want to create maps from your material?
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1
Symbolism of the Bastille
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2
Causes of the Bastille's storming
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3
Aftermath for Governor de Launay
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4
Despite efforts by ______ XVI, including appointing Jean-Sylvain Bailly as Paris' mayor, the monarchy's power could not be recovered.
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5
The king's power was evidently reduced when his visit to Paris was met with reception as a ______ of national unity, not as a sovereign.
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6
The National Constituent Assembly, initially in agreement against the monarchy, eventually split on visions for France's ______ structure.
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7
The ______ Decrees of the Assembly in August were a move towards equality, ending feudal privileges and the sale of public offices.
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8
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen date
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9
Influence on the Declaration's principles
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10
Form of government post-debate
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11
The ______ Constitution of the Clergy in ______ led to a reorganization of the French church and required priests to pledge allegiance to the state.
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12
A split occurred in the French church when many clergy members, known as '______' priests, refused to swear an oath of loyalty to the state.
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13
The division among the clergy in France, where some became 'non-juring' priests, intensified ______ and ______ tensions, fueling opposition to the revolution.
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14
Role of National Constituent Assembly post-Bastille
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15
Impact of Jacobin clubs and sans-culottes
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16
Significance of Women's March on Versailles
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17
The ______ ______, established in October 1791, was plagued by disagreements and threats, both internally and from abroad.
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18
The radical uprising on ______ ______, 1792, led to the attack on the ______ ______ and the king's suspension, paving the way for the First French Republic.
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