the french revolution

1. THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
Presented by Randa Daniels

2. The French Revolution was a period of major social upheaval
that began in 1787 and ended in 1799. It sought to completely
change the relationship between the rulers and those they
governed and to redefine the nature of political power.
It proceeded in a back-and-forth process between
revolutionary and reactionary forces.
What was the French Revolution?

3. WHY DID THE FRENCH
REVOLUTION HAPPEN?
There were many reasons. The bourgeoisie—merchants,
manufacturers, professionals—had gained financial power
but were excluded from political power. Those who were
socially beneath them had very few rights, and most were
also increasingly impoverished. The monarchy was no longer
viewed as divinely ordained. When the king sought to
increase the tax burden on the poor and expand it to classes
that had previously been exempt, revolution became all but
inevitable.

4. WHY DID THE FRENCH
REVOLUTION LEAD TO WAR
WITH OTHER NATIONS?
King Louis XVI of France yielded to the idea of a new
constitution and to the sovereignty of the people but at the
same time sent emissaries to the rulers of neighbouring
countries seeking their help in restoring his power. Many
revolutionaries, especially the Girondins, believed that the
revolution needed to spread throughout Europe to succeed.
An Austro-Prussian army invaded France, and French
revolutionary forces pushed outward.

5. HOW DID THE FRENCH
REVOLUTION SUCCEED?
In some respects, the French Revolution did not succeed.
But the ideas of representational democracy and basic
property rights took hold, and it sowed the seeds of the later
revolutions of 1830 and 1848.