FRENCH REVOLUTION

French Revolution

结束君主制度及封建主义/ 结束罗马天主教/

            The French revolution is an important point in the history of Europe. The revolution had ended Feudalism and absolute monarchy. Furthermore, this ended influence of Catholic Church on government. For the most important, French revolution had dividing line between old era and new era in Europe.

 Causes of French Revolution

社会组织/ 三种城市/第一级： 牧师，主教，祭师/ 免税/ 权利，受尊敬的/

The first is the structure of the French society. The society had divided to the 3 states : First, Second, and Third Estate. First state was made up of the clergy (pastor)- those connected with the church- bishops and priests. They were rich and powerful, respected, owned land and property and controlled the institutions of government. Population of France was about 23 million and the  First state was made up of less than 100,000 people. They were exempted from paying taxes.

领主贵族/

 The second estate was made up of nobles & lords (400,000). In the earlier times French was made up of several small districts, each under lords/ nobles. Later when it became united under a single kingdom, these lords & nobles were given titles & land & were given positions in the government, 3/5 of the land was under control. They paid no tax.

平民/ 没有政治权利/需缴税/ 受苦的群体/

Third estate – all those who did not belong to the first & second estate were classified under the third estate. These include peasants, farmers, tradesmen, businessmen & professionals like teachers, lawyers, doctors & others. Members of the 3rd estate had to pay tax but had no political rights. The poor who formed the majority suffered the most.

Government of Louis XVI weak

霸权/无能/

Louis XVI became king in 1774. He was weak, despotic & could not control his advisors. His wife Marie Antoinette was disliked by the people. The king even claimed “the state is myself”. He abused his power by arresting & imprisoning those who went against him.

Economic crisis 1787-1797

经济危机/收割坏/ 粮食短缺/ 贵族资金问题/税越来越高/

Although the economy of the country was generally good but there were periods of severe economic crisis, especially between 1787-1797, when harvest was poor, causing shortage of food & this affected farmers badly (price of flour + many fold). Nobles experienced cash-flow problem. So they taxed the peasants even more.

Enlightenment, intellectual movement (1770-1790)

智力运动/ 限制政府权力来释放人民自由/ 政府必须于人民/符合/人民能换政府/

The spread of new ideas by the Intellectual Movement. Voltaire (1694-1778), his book “Philosophical Letters” (1733) which upheld the principle of freedom to think, talk, religion & government based on law.  Monstesquieu (1689-1755) who wrote “The Spirit of the Laws” (1748) believed that freedom of the people could be assured by limiting the powers of the government through laws. His famous doctrine is the doctrine on the “separation of powers” – Legislative, Executive & Judiciary. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) his ideas on Government is found in his book. “The Social Contract” (1762). He stressed the government should be based on the will of the people. The government must fulfill its contract with the people. If they failed the people have the right to replace it. All these philosophers became an inspiration to the people.

Influence of the American War of Independence (1775-1783)

被美国独立激发/ 民主意识/

French Revolution was also inspired by the American War of independence. One of the leaders of the FR was Marquis de Lafayette who had taken part in the American War against the English. Other French soldiers who were also inspired by the democratic ideas advocated by the Americans.

Immediate cause

2线城市也要赋税/ 贵族不满/ 示威/

Financial crisis, King wanted nobles (2 estate) to pay tax. New parliament met on 5 May 1789. 3 rd estate met on 5 May 1789 of the population was unhappy o With voting system. 17 June 1789 members from 3rd estate formed the National Assembly. 20th June 1789 – members of National Assembly took oath for the tennis court – “Tennis Court Oath”. King Louis XVI tried to suppress the Assembly. Demonstrations & riots broke out in Paris.

Effects of the revolution

结束封建/权利不能给教会/ 共和国/ 强烈爱国主义/ 威胁了其他欧洲/

·         Ended feudal system, peasants free, could own land

·         Privileges enjoyed by nobles, priests & church abolished

·         France became a Republic based on written constitution

·         United with strong feelings of Nationalism

·         Revolution threatened the rest of Europe

Explain what French society was?

·         Because of the French society
·         Divided into 3 estate
·         1st estate – connecting to the church, own property, collect tax from other, represent religion, king should be obeyed them
·         2nd estate – origin – France made up from small kingdom, fight each other, noble become powerful, doesn’t need to pay tax, take part in government (political)
·         3rd estate – the rest include all kind of people, 95% population but need to pay tax, pay double tax (government tax, 1st & 2nd estate tax, and church), the farmer will be affected, hate 1st and 2nd estate, felt this is wrong