The French Revolution

Of the many factors blamed for causing the French Revolution, they all seem to boil down to one thing: the economy. Beginning with Louis XVs love of warfare and Louis XVIs support of the new American colonies, France's economy was in a downward spiral. Commoners could not afford food and the government could not manage its debt. People were beginning to resent their form of government and the noble classes, and religious freedom was desired by many.

When the Director-General of Finance, Jacques Necker, was fired for suggesting that the royal family should be placed on a budget, he was immediately fired. When the common people heard that news, they suspected that the government was beginning a 'royal coup.' A rebellion began. The Bastille was a fortress where the weapons cache was held, so the rebellion stormed it and they were triumphant. Necker temporarily regained his position afterward but quickly lost the favor of the people when he asked for general amnesty.

On October 5, 1789, seven thousand women marched in protest to Versailles, which was the home of the monarchy. They made their way there when their concerns over food shortages and other economic conditions were not addressed. As a result of this, the Marquis de LaFayette, convinced the king to move his headquarters to Paris where he would be more accessible to the people. Up until this time, the Roman Catholic Church was a major power holder in France. They owned more land than any other person or group, and they also were allotted special tax privileges.

Now that the old reign was a thing of the past, a new government had to be put in place. Many favored a constitutional monarchy rather than a republic. People assembled in the Champ de Mars to sign a petition to depose the King. As a result, many of the newspapers were closed and resisters went into hiding. The Declaration of Pillnitz was claimed by other rulers on behalf of Louis XVI, which would allow an invasion against his people to gain his liberty. Over the next few years, the new constitution received its share of challenges and eventually the situation hit a crisis point. In 1792, the King and Queen became political prisoners. Within a month, the people now in power declared a republic and did away with the monarchy. By the next year, events took place that made the king seem to be conspiring with France's enemies, which led to his death sentence.

Louis XVI was convicted of "conspiring against the public liberty and the general safety" and sentenced to death, which took place on January 21, 1793. His wife, Marie Antoinette was also beheaded later the following year. Close to seventeen thousand people died by the guillotine and it is speculated that 40,000 others died while waiting for a trial or were killed without one.

Marie Antoinette was married to Louis XVI at the age of fourteen and became the Queen of France and Navarre when her husband became King. She joined the French court in 1770 and was very popular with the common folks until the revolution. She held no political power or influence with her husband, and many of the rumors about her began with the revolutionaries to gain followers, including the phrase attributed to her "Let them eat cake."

For more information about the French Revolution, please see the following resources:

ACCD Thomas Jefferson's perspective on the revolution

Gulfcoast Causes of the war

Georgetown French History

GMU Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

Lafayette Hero of two wars

History Marquis de LaFayette at Valley Forge

French Impressionism How the war influenced artists

Fullerton Timeline from the revolution to Napoleon

French Revolution An overview of its parts

Country Studies The Habsburg Empire's role in the revolution

Victorian Web Austria and the revolution

World History Factors in the war

Louis XVII The lost king of France

Marianne Symbol of the Resistance

History Guide French revolution resources