Chapter 23 Section 2
Revolution Brings Reform and
Terror
Class Assignment
Define all vocabulary for Chapter 23 Sect 2
Read Chapter 23 Section 2
After each red section stop reading and take
Cornell notes on that section.
Complete this until the section is finished.
Summarize the section with 6 major facts.
102 points
Page 656
Music Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a
3zD0_NUlo8
Essential Question
How did France’s revolution bring
both reform and terror?
Sans Culottes
The sans-culottes were the
common people of Paris, and were
so named this because they didn't
wear upper class breeches or
culottes. They were the working
people, the shop owners, the
tradespeople, the artisans, and
even the factory workers. They
were among the prominent losers
of the first, more subtle
revolution. While the middle class
and wealthy classes benefitted
greatly from the revolution, the
sans-culottes saw their livelihoods
disappearing and inflation driving
them to fight for survival. Of all
the groups of France, the views of
the sans-culottes is what drove
the radical revolution from 1792 to
1794.
The desires of the sans-culottes were simple. They
believed that survival was a right of all people,
inequality of any kind was to be abolished, and the
aristocracy and the monarchy were to be eliminated.
Property was not to be completely eliminated, but to
be shared in communal groups. These ideas were far
more radical than what the Jacobins had in mind.
However, more radical Jacobins sympathized with the
sans-culotte and began to work with them. This
radical group of Jacobins were called the Mountain,
because they took the highest seats in the Assembly.
As the convention came more under the control of
the Mountain and the sans-culottes, it turned its
attention to doing away with the monarchy. In
December of 1792, the Convention put Louis XVI on
trial. The Girondists and more moderate Jacobins
struggled to save his life, but the Convention narrowly
voted to execute him. On January 31, 1793, he was
beheaded.
The Assembly Reforms France
On August 4, 1789, the
assembly eliminate the Old
Regime.
Three weeks later wrote the
Declaration of the Rights of Man
and of the Citizen.
Said that “men are born and
remain free and equal in
rights”….. Also guaranteed
equal justice, freedom and of
speech, and freedom of
religion.
Olympe de Gouges, a woman,
declared the rights of women
and was executed in 1793.
Assembly Reforms France
Took over church lands and
declared that Church
officials and priests be
elected and paid as state
officials.
Reason largely economic.
To pay off France’s huge
debt.
Making Church part of state
offended many peasants
and many opposed the
reforms thereafter.
In June of 1791 Louis tried
to escape but was captured
at the border and returned
to Paris.
Divisions Develop
In September 1791 new constitution was
approved forming a Limited Constitutional
Monarchy. (signed by Louis)
Created a Legislative Assembly to make
laws and approve war.
Assembly split into three factions:
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
Radicals – opposed the idea of a monarchy
Moderates – wanted some changes by not
as many as radicals
Conservatives – upheld the idea of a limited
monarchy. Wanted few changes.
Outside forces:
Émigrés – nobles and others who had fled
France and hoped to undo the Revolution
Sans-culottes – Parisian workers and
small shopkeepers who wanted the
Revolution to bring even greater changes.
War and Execution
European countries feared that similar revolts might break out in
their own countries.
Austria and Prussian urged France to restore Louis to absolute
monarch.
Legislative Assembly responded by declaring war on Austria and
Prussia in April 1792.
Prussia threatened to destroy Paris if royal family hurt.
This enraged Parisians. A mob went to Tuileries, the palace where
the royal family was staying, killed their guards, and imprisoned
Louis, Marie Antoinette, and their children.
Rumors circulated that imprisoned supporters of the king were
going to break out of prison and seize control of the city.
So,…. Mobs raided prisons and killed over 1000 prisoners, called
the September Massacres.
Now under pressure from Radicals, the constitution of 1791 was
set aside. King was deposed and assembly dissolved. Called for
new elections.
New governing body called National Convention abolished the
monarchy and declared France a republic.
Males could vote and hold office but women could not.
September Massacre
War and Execution
People involved in this change were
called Jacobins, members of the
radical faction.
A member, Jean-Paul Marat called for
the execution of all supporters of the
king. (see History Makers, page 658)
Another, George Danton was devoted
to the rights of poor people.
The radical Jacobins sentenced Louis
to death and on January 21, 1793
Louis lost his head by the guillotine.
To help fight an expanding war, the
Convention ordered a draft of
300,000 French citizens, including
women.
Terror Grips France
Jacobins also had many enemies
within France, including peasants,
priests, and rival leaders.
In 1793 Maximilien Robespierre
gained power and wanted a
“republic of virtue.”
1.
2.
Changed calendar to 12 months of
30 days. No Sundays because
religion was old fashioned and
dangerous.
Closed all Churches.
Led committee for public safety but
functioned as dictator.
Began the Reign of Terror.
Believed in “trying in the morning
guillotining in the afternoon.”
He saw connection between virtue
and terror. (see primary source,
page 660)
Terror (Continued)
Many who led the revolution
received death sentences, just for
being less radical that
Robespierre.
George Danton was executed for
being a threat to Robespierre’s
ideas. He told the executioner,
“Don’t forget to show my head to
the people. It’s well worth
seeing.”
18 year old executed for cutting
down tree that was planted as a
symbol of liberty.
85% of the 40,000 executed were
members of the Third Estate for
whose benefit the Revolution had
been launched.
End of Terror
In July of 1794 some members of the
National Assembly turned on
Robespierre, demanding his arrest and
execution.
Reign of Terror ended on July 28, 1794
when Robespierre himself went to the
guillotine.
Moderates drafted a new plan of
government in 1795, their third since
1789.
It called for a two house legislature
and an executive body of 5 men known
as the Directory.
Not perfect, but brought a period of
order to France.
They also found the right general for
their armies, Napoleon Bonaparte.
Pop Quiz
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Finish the name: Declaration of the Rights of
____________________.
Why did the National Assembly take over the Church’s
land?
What were the three groups that made up the legislative
assembly?
This group of people wore long breeches and wanted
radical change in France’s government.
This governing body declared France a Republic.
Who was France’s dictator during the Reign of Terror?
What was the name of the 5 man executive body that
ruled France before Napoleon?