Topic 3: the French Revolution from 1789 Centenary Secondary School

Home , Lettres de cachet, Nobles of the Robe

CENTENARY SECONDARY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES GRADE 10 HISTORY TERM TWO: WORKSHEET TWO

TOPIC 3: THE FRENCH REVOLUTION FROM 1789 The French Revolution marks an important chapter in the birth of the modern world. The revolution brought about the collapse of the ancien regime (old order) and replaced it with a government based on democratic principles.

OVERVIEW OF TOPIC: 1. Conditions that led to the outbreak of revolution in France before 1789: 1.1. Political system in France. 1.2. Social system in France. 1.3. Economic crisis in France. 1.4. Influences of philosophers. 2. Course of the French Revolution from 1789 2.1. The meeting of the Estates General and the Tennis Court Oath. 2.2. The Storming of the Bastille 2.3. Revolt in the countryside 2.4. The National Assembly and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen 2.5. The March to Versailles 2.6. The fight, arrest, and execution of the King 2.7. The Reign of Terror 3. Consequences and impact of the French Revolution in human history. What is a ‘revolution’? The word revolution basically means a complete turnaround of one way of doing things to another way of doing things. In the study of history, it is meant to describe an aggressive overthrow of a government structure or a massive sudden change in societal values.

A revolution usually occurs when the masses (or large portions of the population) have been oppressed. To resist the oppression, the masses can use their large numbers to their advantage to overwhelm and overthrow oppressive leadership. Before 1789, the mass of the French population lived under a social system that oppressed most of the population and gave privilege to a small part of the French population. In our study of the French Revolution, we will first explore the conditions in France before 1789 that eventually led to the outbreak of a violent revolution.

MEMORANDUM FOR DEFINITIONS: Using internet sources, like Wikipedia, Google search and/ or any online dictionary, find the meaning of the following terms: 1) Absolute monarchy: This is a political system where all powers are vested (put) in one authority or person. 2) Ancien Regime: The old order or the government that existed in France before the Revolution. 3) Bourgeoise: The middle class. 4) Sans Culottes: the workers or common people of the lower classes. 5) Lettres de Cachet: The right of French Kings to arrest and imprison people without a fair trial. 6) Philosophy: the study of the nature of knowledge, truth, and reality. 7) Atheism: a belief system in which there is no god. 8) Religious fanaticism: obsessive enthusiasm related to one’s own religion. 9) Inalienable rights: rights that cannot be taken away from a person or given to another person. E.g. the right to life is an inalienable right. 10) Tyranny: control of a government by violent or oppressive means.

1. CONDITIONS IN FRANCE BEFORE 1789 THAT LED TO REVOLUTION While there are various factors that led to the outbreak of revolution in France by 1789, we will focus on these key areas:

Causes of the French Revolution

Political Social Influence of Economic Causes: Causes: Philosophers: System: How did How did the What role did How did the absolute social structure philopsophies economic crisis rulership lead in France play in the in France lead to an overthrow contribute to French to the outbreak of French the outbreak of Revolution? of revolution? government? revolution?

1.1. Political Causes of the French Revolution: KEY QUESTION: HOW DID THE FAILURE OF THE FRENCH MONARCHY LEAD TO THE OUTBREAK OF REVOLUTION IN FRANCE BY 1789? In 1774, at the age of 20 years old, Louis XVI (16th) became the King of France. King Louis XVI had married Marie-Antoinette, an Austrian princess, when she was 15 years old in 1770. When Louis XVI came into power, society began to see the flaws (weaknesses) in the French monarchy: - Misuse of power. - Inability to rule efficiently. Louis XVI believed that God had given him power to rule. In other words, he ruled by Divine Rights of Kings. His subjects had to obey him without question. He claimed absolute power. There were signs that there was much opposition to him. In April 1789, after rumours of wage cuts, a crowd of hundreds armed with sticks, began a riot. The royal family (King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette) contributed to the downfall of the French monarchy in the following ways: - King Louis XVI came into power when French society was already in a state of decay. - The King was a weak ruler because of lethargy (laziness) and indecisiveness (unable to make firm decisions). He was dominated by his wife, who was seen as a foreigner by French society.

- Both the King and Queen used state finances on entertainment, shopping, alcohol, jewellery, hunting and horse riding. - The nobility began demanding more power. The Queen openly sided with the nobility. - The king promoted the hated practice of lettres de cachet.

SOURCE 1A: Paintings of Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI depicting extravagant clothing and jewellery.

[Source: https://curtis9history.wordpress.com/2012/10/09/king-louis-and-marie-antoinette/]

SOURCE 1B: The following extract is taken from French historians studying the lettres de cachet (letters of seal or stamp):

The letters of seal are closed letters, signed by the King, signed by a secretary of state who is almost always from the King's house. They are used for special purposes, to summon a judicial body, to order a ceremony but, more often than not, they contain an individual order of exile, imprisonment or internment.

A letter de cachet signed by Louis XVI illustrating this practice (Carnavalet Museum in Paris, published in Paquet et Boigelot, "The Modern Period and the Beginnings of Contemporary Times", History and Humanities, Casterman, 1973)

"Mr. de Jumilhac, my intention being that the name Hugonet be taken to my castle in the Bastille, I write this letter to tell you that you have to receive him there when he is brought there and to keep it there and hold it until further notice from me. Written at Versailles, January 13, 1765, Louis"

[Source: https://perso.helmo.be/jamin/euxaussi/justice/cachets.html]

ACTIVITY 1: Use the notes and the sources to answer the following questions.

1.1. Consult Source 1A: 1.1.1. Define the following terms: a) Absolute power [1x2] (2) b) Letters de Cachet [1x2] (2)

1.1.2. Using the source, describe the clothing used by both members of the royal family. [1x2] (2) 1.1.3. Using your own knowledge, discuss two ways in which the lifestyle of the royal family contributed to downfall of the French monarchy. [2x2] (4) 1.1.4. Provide one reason why this source may be considered as a primary source of historical information. [1x2] (2)

1.2. Read Source 1B: 1.2.1. According to the source, list three reasons for using the lettres de cachet. [3x1] (3) 1.2.2. Using the source, state where was Hugonet supposed to be taken. [1x1] (1) 1.2.3. State the date this letter was written. [1x1] (1) 1.2.4. According to the source, discuss whether Hugonet: a) had any say in where he was being taken to, [1x2] (2) b) knew why he was being taken there. [1x2] (2)

1.3. Using the source, the notes and your own knowledge, write a paragraph of eight (8) lines, or eighty (80) words, in which discuss how the failures of the French monarchy contributed to the outbreak of revolts in France from 1789. (8)

1.2. Social Causes of the French Revolution: KEY QUESTION: HOW DID THE STRUCTURE OF FRENCH SOCIETY CONTRIBUTE TO THE OUTBREAK OF REVOLUTION IN FRANCE BY 1789? The Estate System in France before 1789: French Society had been divided into 3 estates for centuries: First Estate : The Clergy Second Estate : The Nobility Third Estate : The Commoners (everyone else in France)

SOURCE 2A: The following diagram shows how French society was divided during the ancien regime:

[Source: https://za.pinterest.com/pin/15692298680913872/] The First Estate was the clergy, which included priests and other people who ran both the Catholic church and some aspects of the country. In addition to keeping registers of births, deaths and marriages, the clergy also had the power to levy a 10% tax known as the tithe. They made up 1% of the population and owned 10% to 15% of the land in France.

The Second Estate consisted of the nobility of France, including members of the royal family, except for the King. Members of the Second Estate did not have to pay any taxes. They were also awarded special privileges, such as the wearing a sword and hunting. Like the clergy, they also collected taxes from the Third Estate. In addition, they also collected rent and feudal taxes from peasants. Nobles made up 2% to 4% of the population and owned 20% of the land in France. There were two types of Nobles: Nobles of the Sword who were noble by birth and Nobles of the Robe who bought their way into becoming a noble. The Nobles refusal to pay taxes and demand for more power and privilege was a major cause of the revolution. The Third Estate was made up of everyone else, from peasant farmers to the bourgeoisie–the wealthy business class. While the Second Estate was only 4% of the total population of France, the Third Estate was 96%, and had none of the rights and privileges of the other two estates.

BOURGEOISIE PEASANTS SANS COULETTE (MIDDLE CLASS) (WORKERS) 8% of the population 90% of the population Owned 20% of the land Lived in rural France Lived in urban areas Well educated and rich Lived in intense poverty Were poor because they worked in low-paying jobs Disappointed that they Paid *gabelle and *taille Due to poverty and had no say in the running to the state. unemployment, workers of the country. were prone to acts of violence. Wanted a constitution Paid feudal dues to the They were the most that would limit the King’s nobles. politicised group power. (politically aware). Performed unpaid labour They also wanted jobs to (work) for the state. be open to men based on talent ad merit, not because of birth and privilege.

Historians believe that one of the reasons the French Revolution came about was the dissatisfaction of members of the Third Estate, who wanted a more equal distribution of wealth and power. *Gabelle was a salt tax. *Taille was a tax on common people by the King and overlords.

SOURCE 2B: During the 1780’s, many artists began expressing their views on the estate system using political cartoons. The following cartoon is a primary source of historical information. Many artists would draw each estate differently. For example, the clergy usually were drawn with a dark long robe and a chain with a cross while the nobles were usually drawn carrying a sword. The ‘commoners’ were usually drawn with torn or old clothes.

[Source: http://mrcozart.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/frrev3estates00257795.jpg?w=604]

SOURCE 2C: The following extract are the words of Abbe Sieyes, a leading figure in the Revolution, and outlines the aspirations (hopes and desires) of the Third Estate:

Who would dare to say that the third estate has not within itself all that is necessary to constitute a complete nation? It is the strong and robust man whose one arm remains enchained. If the privileged order were abolished, the nation would not be something less, but something more.

Thus, what is the third estate? Everything; but an everything shackled and oppressed. What would it be without the privileged order? Everything; but an everything free and flourishing.

Nothing can progress without it; everything would proceed infinitely better without the others. It is not sufficient to have demonstrated that the privileged classes, far from being useful to the nation, can only…injure it; it is necessary, moreover, to prove that the nobility does not belong to the social organization at all; that, indeed, it may be a burden upon the nation,

The third estate, then, comprises everything appertaining to the nation; and whatever is not the third estate may not be regarded as being of the nation.

What is the third estate? Everything!

[Source: Sieyes, A. ‘What is the Third Estate?’ From the Political French pamphlet, January 1789.]

ACTIVITY 2: Use the notes and the sources to answer the following questions.

2.1. Refer Source 2A: 2.1.1. Define the following term: a) Ancien Regime [1x2] (2) 2.1.2. According to the source, where did the clergy work? [1x1] (1) 2.1.3. List 3 jobs the commoners did. [3x1] (3) 2.1.4. Using the source, notes, and your own knowledge, explain the differences between the ‘nobles of the sword’ and ‘nobles of the robe’. [2x2] (4)

2.2. Study Source 2B: 2.2.1. Using the source, identify the estate and the people who belonged to the estate for letters: a) A [2x1] (2) b) B [2x1] (2) c) C [2x1] (2) 2.2.2. Using the source and your own knowledge, describe how you identified each estate in question 2.2.1 above. [2x2] (4) 2.2.3. Explain how the body language of estates A and B indicates that they are shocked or alarmed. [2x2] (4) 2.2.4. Using the source and your own knowledge, provide on reason why these estates may be shocked or alarmed. [1x2] (2) 2.2.5. Estates B and A are standing on a stone. Below this stone is Estate C. What do you think the stone represents? [1x2] (2)

2.3. Read Source 2C: 2.3.1. According to the source, name the estate the author believed was ‘everything’? [1x1] (1) 2.3.2. Quote a line from the source which shows that this estate discriminated. [1x2] (2) 2.3.3. According to the author, how would the nation become ‘something more’? [1x2] (2) 2.3.4. Which estate is the author referring to when he says ‘privileged classes’? [1x1] (1) 2.3.5. Discuss two ways in which the ‘privileged classes’ benefitted from the estate you identified in 2.3.1 above. [2x2] (4)

2.4. Using the sources, your notes and your own knowledge, write a paragraph of eight (8) lines, or eighty (80) words in which you discuss how the social conditions in France before 1789 led to the outbreak of revolution. (8)