Your first post will be in response to the conclusion of the movie and discussion in class about the French Revolution. Use the movie, your book, and any other sources to respond to the following question. Feel free to use online sources (video, audio, and text) and link them to your post.
Identify the grievances of the GROUPS that made up the Third Estate in France on the eve of the French Revolution, and analyze the extent to which ONE of these groups was able to address its grievances in the period 1789 to 1799.
HINT: This is a complex question that asks you a few things:
1. What are the groups that make up the Third Estate?
2. What are their grievances?
3. To what extent did ONE of these groups address their grievances?
Start your analysis ....
To start things off, the Third Estate was the remaining 97% of the French population that were not classified as nobles or clergymen. The Third Estate consisted of the middle class, peasants, and urban workers. Artisans, doctors, and other workers were part of the working class, and, despite the fact that they had jobs, they still suffered the same lack of rights as the peasants. The Third Estate was angered at the fact that they did not have a say when it came to decisions involving the government, and that the first two estates were always able to vote them out, despite the fact the only represented 3% of the total population. They wanted to use their power in numbers to their advantage. Eventually, they became known as the National Assembly, which pushed even further for equal rights and opportunities for all.
ReplyDeleteThe National Assembly issued many reforms in France, starting with the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, which stated the natural rights that all men must possess. Not unlike the rights stated in the United States Constitution, it emphasized the rights to “liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.” The Jacobins, a radical group that made up a part of the National Assembly, were supported by a faction known as the sans-culottes, and they advocated many of the reforms the working class sought after. The sans-culottes made it possible for the Jacobins to obtain control of the National Assembly, and in return they hoped for the Jacobins to further the revolution and create a French Republic and a new constitution. However, the Jacobins used that power to suspend the constitution and the rights it permitted and created the Committee of Public Safety, which then instituted the Reign of Terror from which even the sans-culottes weren’t safe. Consequently, the working class got what they wanted in the creation of the National Assembly, but when the radicals pushed for a republic, they ended up with less than what they started with.
ReplyDeleteTo add onto that, the Legislative Assembly was the cause of most of these divided groups. It consisted of conservatives, who supported the king, moderates, who were somewhat in the middle, and radicals, who wanted revolution. The radicals were divided into the Jacobins and the Girondists. The Jacobins were more focused on overthrowing the monarchy while the Girondists wanted to extend France’s revolutionary ideas past it’s borders. With the Legislative Assembly in place, war with Austria and Prussia soon began, which became known as the War of the First Coalition. After the Declaration of Pillnitz was signed, Austria and Prussia had promised to safeguard the French monarchy, which is why they were involved in the war with many of the revolutionaries who wanted to alter the monarchy. France was failing miserably in the war, and many of the opposing forces were close to reaching Paris. Recruits were brought into Paris in an attempt to save France, and as a result, the Austria and Prussian forces were stopped, which meant the revolution would continue. This is where the sans-culottes come into play. They ended up taking control over the government of Paris, and called for the election of a national convention of their own in an attempt to create a more democratic government. With the sans-culottes gaining power, more violence erupted.
ReplyDeleteThey stole my thunder but the third estate was the nation. It was a bit absurd for the whole of the nation to be left out of the government. There were upset and their grievances were understandable. In their rebellion an enlightenment occurred as far as the rights on man.
ReplyDeleteWomen were also a very important part of the Revolution. Their main issue was the cost of bread, which rose ninety percent in one year. Coupled with the heavy taxes imposed upon the peasants and members of the working class, many people could not get enough to eat, and women were especially outraged by this. Also, women had virtually no rights in society. They could not vote or receive and education and were considered to be limited to the domestic roles of caring for the family and the household, rather than participate in public and political affairs. Most of the people who stormed the Bastille were women. Though they attended many public meetings concerned with the reforms of the revolution, they were excluded from the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. Like the sans-culottes, many women believed the revolution did not go far enough after the fall of the monarchy, and they pushed for it to continue so as to gain the rights and equality they felt they deserved.
ReplyDeletehttp://favim.com/image/10113/
ReplyDeletehttp://missidesapeuro.pbworks.com/w/page/21554776/Ch%2018%20-%20French%20Revolution
Pictures of women participating in the revolution.
I agree that women were affected greatly by the revolution. Without any rights, they were completely left out of society it seems. I found peasants suffered nearly the same, if not more. Though some of them were free from serfdom, a majority of them were being forced to pay high taxes, as stated, and many were considered outcasts in society. Since most peasants did not have any jobs, it was nearly impossible for them to pay the high taxes and also pay for the expenses of bread. During the madness of the storming of the Bastille, a handful of prisoners were freed, and many of those who invaded seized gun powder and weapons. A number of people were also killed during this event. The storming of the Bastille was used a major symbol against absolute rule. This event also pushed for further revolution and reform amongst many members of the Third Estate.
ReplyDeleteOff of what Matt said the Third Estate was unfortunately everyone who didn't get much of a say in any kind of political matters. They were the ones who had to deal with most of the problems, but didn't get an opportunity to fix any of them because they were always outvoted by the First and Second estate. Their grievances were very reasonable, for example, they were angered over the fact that despite they had the least amount of wealth, they were forced to pay the outrageous taxes. They had tried to get change by voting that everyone pay equal taxes, but that didn't work because the First and Second Estate were never going to agree to that, and they were the ones who held the power in the voting, because despite that the Third Estate outnumbered the First and Second population wise, each Estate only got one vote, so the Third Estate got out voted 2 to 1.
ReplyDeleteWomen played a large role yet they were disregarded in the declaration of the rights of men as we're slaves. A revolution for equality still had issues of its own regarding equality.
ReplyDeletehttp://apwhod09.pbworks.com/f/main.bmp
ReplyDeleteAs depicted here, women were very much a part of the revolution.
When war broke out many women wanted to take up arms in defense of their land. Patriotism was a major factor in their actions. Many women took on the slogan "we can fight with weapons other than a needle and spindle."
The Third estate was consisted of the 97% of the remaining French people who were not those of the Nobility or The Clergy. They are those who are the peasants, middle class, and urban workers. The Third estate was also comprised of doctors, artisans and the many others who are in the working class. With their wanting for reforms made in their favor they had been denied the opportunity because the two estates above them always sided with eachother leading to their decisions being favored over that of the third estates
ReplyDeleteWith what Matt said about the Sans-culottes, with the violence erupting and all they also had the opportunity to crush any of the counterrevolutionary disturbances in the provinces. And with these actions they were able to have an organized nation defended by a citizen army. But with that being long lived the Reighn of Terror took its toll with the mass exicutions. With the differences of the meanings of the war and the expectations that the Sans-cilottes had in mind were showing up to be a devistating outcome for the new government of France.
ReplyDeleteAs Alex said about the Third Estate being the only ones that had to pay taxes and could not pass a law to abolish it. After the Tennis Court Oath the king had requested to the First and Second Estates to meet with the National Assembly on June 27, where the voting would be decided by the individual people not only by the three estates. The assembly now was a group of people from all estates who wanted to have reforms done to the country. But as the war broke out things changed with how Louis XVI wanted to stop the Assembly and make him the one who enforces the law.
ReplyDeleteI think you guys have handled this question well in terms of who the third estate was and what their grievances were. Now let's focus our responses on the extent to which they were addressed?
ReplyDeleteThis being my first post, it is only fair to warn all you that I have recently discovered that I am blog challenged.
ReplyDeleteDuring the Old Regime, France had unique political, economic and social conditions that were structured around the three class divisions. The Third Estate consisted of 97% of the nation’s total population (~ 25 million) and was composed of the middle class (bourgeoisie), urban lower classes and peasant farmers. Essentially, if you weren’t a member of the clergy of an aristocrat, you were a member of the Third Esate. Paradoxically, the social class with the most members had the least amount of representation in national affairs. Their grievances were numerous and responsive reforms were virtually nonexistant. As a whole, the Third Estate demanded an end to the special privileges enjoyed by the clergy and nobility, which included tax exemptions.
To begin, the peasants were exploited by both the government and nobility. The bulk of the taxes was imposed on the Third Esate, even though they had the least amount of money. These high taxes included a taille (tax on agricultural goods such as produce), capitation (poll tax) and a tithe (a church tax). There were also vestiges of the manorial system, which required peasants to pay rent to noblemen who had oce controlled the land and to perform the corveé and other services for them. The peasants were not particularly concerned with political rights but wanted relief from high taxes that were crippling them with debt and an end to their manorial rights.
The middle-class townspeople were better off than the peasants, BUT they were even more discontented. They desired an abolition of the economic restrictions imposed by the mercantilist regulation, a fairer distribution to the tax burden, and a greater voice in public affairs. They knew they could be prosperous in industry and trade, but they were restricted and oppressed by the monarchy. They also demanded for reform of the oftern corrupt courts of law, and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament and guarentees of civil liberties.
The urban working class of 18 century France was relatively small. However, in Paris they were numerous enough to play a pivotal role during the Revolution. They too, demanded relief from the overwhelming taxes that bound them to work tirelessly in deplorable conditions. After the day was done and the taxes were extracted, they were barely surviving.
The Third Estate as a whole addressed their grievances to the king but, of course, nothing was done. Anything they proposed was overpowered by the will of the first two estates. The Third Estate was resolved on solving the issues and its grievances during the meeting of the Estates General. Being the most populous estate represented, with 600 members compared to the clergy’s 300 and nobility’s 300, the Third Estate believed it would be able to enact change in its favor. Then, Louis XVI dropped a bombshell and declared that voting would be done by estate, or order. The conservative First and Second Estates would thus outvote the representatives of the Third Estate. In response to this unjust order, the increasingly rebellious Third Estate proclaimed itself to be the National Assembly and pledged not to disband until a constitution was written for France (the Tennis Court Oath). Now it was Louis XVI versus the National Assembly.
ReplyDeleteThe National Assembly’s legislators took two preliminary legal steps to end the abuses of the Old Regime. First, they abolished feudalism in terms of the feudal taxes and tithes owned by the peasants. The nobles were now forced to give up their exemption from taxes. The peasants gained some economic relief, finally. Also, the middle class gained the political representation and better occupations they desired. All male citizens could now hold government, army, of Church Office. Then they created the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. It contained the following decrees:
-Men are born free and equal before the law
-Men are guaranteed freedom of speech, religion, and due process before the law
-Taxes have to be paid according to the ability to pay
- The right to rule rests not only on the king but also on the general will of the people
“Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity” freed the peasants and urban workers from their burdensome taxes! The middle class also gained the undeniable right to partake in politics and demand the laissez-faire economic policy they yearned for. Also, the constitutional monarchy they wanted was beginning to take shape. The entire Third Estate also could now legally vocalize its grievances.
As if that wasn’t enough, they took the royal family to Paris to make sure they always had a steady eye on him and a firm grip on the future of the nation. Eventually, the more radicals were not satisfied with the moderate successes. They, under Jacobin leader Maximilian Robespierre, would lead the Revolution into its most radical and bloodiest stage.
As some of the previous comments also mentioned, women played a pretty significant role during the Revolution. Little is known about their grievances or feelings in the months prior to the session of the Estates General because they did not have the right to assemble, draft grievances, or vote. Nevertheless, there were a few brave women who put their thoughts to paper. In the Petition of Women of the Third Estate to the King (1789) they claimed they did not want to overthrow his authority, but only wanted an enlightened education that would make them holistically better people and more useful to society. They wanted to be heard and this was their way of hoping to achieve some reform for themselves by being represented. I have included the link so read awayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
ReplyDeletehttp://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/472/
Although many people were killed during the revolution, and it seemed like a waste of human life, there were many positive outcomes of the war where the people were concerned. The bourgeois and land owners became the dominant power, as opposed to the nobility and clergy, and the country was unified; this unification enhanced the power of France. Feudalism had vanished completely and the ancient, traditional structure of society, not only in France but in most of Europe, had changed to represent more of what we see today in moderns Europe. Nationalism was also stronger among the people. Many precedents were set in forming a democratic government, such as the establishment of elections, a representative government, and constitutions. Unfortunately for the urban lower middle classes, they attempted and failed many times to secure economic and political gains, and this foreshadowed the class conflicts that will arise in the nineteenth century. However, overall the revolution was huge in influencing much of the modern world.
ReplyDeleteThe Third Estate was comprised of the peasants, the middle class, and the urban workers. They made up 97 percent of the French population of 25 million. The clergy and the nobles made up the remaining 3 percent. The middle class was also known as the bourgeoisie and the urban workers were also known as the proletariat. Although the Third Estate made up the majority of the population, they could never carry out their desired reforms because the estates voted by order. This meant that the conservative First and Second Estates always outvoted the Third Estate. As a result, many of the grievances of the Third Estate were disregarded.
ReplyDeleteThe peasants demanded the abolition of the salt tax (gabelle), as well as of the corvee and other residues of maniorialism. The middle class called for an end to mercantilist restrictions on industry and trade, reform of the often corrupt courts of law, and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament and guarantees of civil liberties. The urban workers expressed many of the same grievances, such as an unfair tax burden and an insufficient representation in public affairs, as the peasants and the middle class. Overall, the three groups of the Third Estate desired to demolish the benefits of the clergy and the nobility.
ReplyDeleteAs the previous comments include, the third estate consisted completely of the everyday people. Everyone who was not considered to be aristocratic or involved in the clergy was the third estate. This includes doctors, lawyers and artisans, not only the poverty stricken population. Their grievances include taxation without representation. Just as the English colonists were revolting at the time, for the same reason, the third estate of France was being heavily taxed without having a say in the matter. The first and second estate had privileges that were not available to the third estate. The ninety seven percent of the nation was being heavily taxed, while the upper classes, which consisted of a whopping three percent of the French population, got away scot-free from any tax burdens. Also, when the estates voted, the first and second estate would band together, vote in favor of themselves, and the majority of the country, (the third estate), would be outvoted every time.
ReplyDeleteOne of these groups took said grievances to the furthest extent. Angry about the inflation of the cost of bread, a mob full of men and women marched to the palace of Versailles. Demanding the king and the queen to address them, they were desperate for some attention from their detached king. The mob marched 120,000 people strong, and they moved the royals from the comfort of their Versailles home, and they quickly became the prisoners of Paris. This revolt quickly turned into a full blown revolution, due to the fact that the king’s power had ultimately been stripped. The future of France now laid in the hands of the Jacobins (Mountain) and their radical leader, Robespierre.
While each group of the Third Estate possessed many grievances, it was the upper-middle bourgeoisie class that was able to have their grievances addressed by the monarch and bring about results. The representatives of the Third Estate could no longer endure the unfair treatment when they found that their chamber to meet in had been locked. Outraged, they went to a local tennis court, and swore the Tennis Court Oath, stating they would not relent until a new constitution had been written. Louis XVI then granted that the Estates General combine into a one body legislature called the National Assembly. This not only gave the Third Estate more political power, but also addressed their hatred of the three estates meeting separately. Under the National Assembly, a new constitution was ratified that granted universal male suffrage and levied equal taxes on each social class.
ReplyDeleteThe Third Estate found that they were locked out of an Estates General meeting. They made the agreement to stick together through the Tennis Court Oath like Mike said. They showed much needed unity and demanded that a new constitution be signed. They were able to claim a victory when the National Assembly was formed because it gave them a boost in political power which was one of the most important things they wanted as they could now get a say in the new policies. one of the biggest original problems was that the Third Estate could never sway decisions and they got the worst of all the new policies. Now they had a chance to make a difference and turn things around for their lives.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it's been said enough already, but I'd like to further drill some of these ideas into everyone's heads:
ReplyDeletePrior to and at the beginning of the French Revolution (during the Old Regime) the only form of government that France had besides its weak monarch Paris Parlement was the Estates General (which without a constitution was almost never even called upon). The frustration that led to the revolution was boiling within the Third Estate, which consisted of everyone who was not a noble or clergy member, including the middle class, workers and peasants. If it weren't for the grievances of this estate, then perhaps the French Revolution would have never happened, but since these people were angry and made up the majority of the population (roughly 97%) a revolution was destined to take place.
***monarch and Paris Parlement
ReplyDeleteThe third estate was made up of most of the population in France. It consisted of serfs, peasants and the middle class. It was thought that by being involved in the Estates General the people of the lower class would now have more of a say. However though the third estate was the largest group in the Estates General, the other two estates often had more say in the monarch and other types of voting. The third esatate was often out voted by these two other groups, the Third estate was also forced to pay heavy taxes and they had little to none say in the monarch. The First and Second Estates would always vote against whatever laws would help out the Third Estate. This causing the Third Estate to always be overruled.
ReplyDeleteThe third estate was being treated unfairly which led to them having many grievances. First off they were tired of being heavily taxed and wanted the special treatment that the other two estates were getting to be stopped. They wanted more priviledges themseleves and more say in the laws and monarch. They wanted the corruptness and laws to be reformed to benifit everyone instead of just the wealthy.
ReplyDeleteI agree that women played a big part in the French Revolution. Although women did not have a lot of rights and they could not vote, they still made a point in trying to get across their opinions. Some women wrote about their wants and they expressed the fact that they wanted education, which they believed would help to make them better workers, wives and mothers. They also expressed the want to be heard and hoped that these reforms and future reforms could bring what they desired.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bl.uk/learning/histcitizen/21cc/utopia/revolution1/tennis1/tennis.html
ReplyDeleteHeres a link depicting the tennis court oath and giving some info about it. The tennis court oath was the result of the unhappiness of the lower class and it showed the determination of the Third Estate and their new national assembly to get what they wanted from the monarch. They promised to not seperate untill they got a constitution for France.
okay i was kind of just looking stuff up on youtube to see if i could find anything worth posting and there was a video that was really short but surprisingly summed up the main points of not only the leading to the revolution but the way in which Napolean was able to come to power in a sort of funny approach.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7cGyraI3PM
The video highlights, just as everyone previously has highlighted, the fact that the majority of the population consisted of the third estate and how it was unfair that they got an equal say as the first two estates which represented the smallest portion of the population. The third estate was starving and were being taxed so heavily that some sort of reform was needed. The video also highlights an important fact, that it was not only the starvation of the people but the lack of financial stability that France had prior to King Louis XVI's reign. Through previous knowledge, we can relate this part of the video to the damage caused by reckless spending on wars such as the Seven Years War and the involvement of the American Revolution.
The video also discusses a major issue of the people as seen by the video that we watched in class, the dislike for the lavish lifestyle that the king and queen lived while their people were suffering. This shows the lack of leadership skills of Louis XVI, something also greatly touched upon in the class video.
oh awkward moment when you used your mom's email and it posted as her name...haha well Cindy is really Sarah Walters. Oopps.
ReplyDeleteBut let me continue...
The video also touched upon a really important cause of not only the revolution in France but revolutions throughout Europe. The ideas of enlightened thinkers influenced (20 seconds into the video) were another attributing factor to the already problematic nation. The ideas that the people needed to proclaim their inalienable rights was an enlightened idea and one that the National Assembly called to order to write a new constitution which after much blood shed was able to be put in to order.
hahahahahha... I was wondering how some random person named Cindy was able to intrude on our website.
ReplyDeleteAs I was saying yesterday, the anger within the Third Estate was I suppose what you could call the first stage of the French Revolution. These everyday people who took up 97% were living impoverished lifestyles while the first two estates were living lives of luxury. The basis of the Third Estate's problems was money; while they were working their butts off in shops and farms, paying all of France's taxes, the wealthy noblemen and clergymen were basking in the sun without having to owe a cent to taxes. The workers, middle class, and peasants were not even earning enough money to be able to pay off their taxes. As many middle class men (bourgeoisie) tried to push themselves up in rank to make more money and provide for their families, they were denied good jobs, and thus were unable to do so. They strongly felt that France's Old Regime was unjust and needed to come to an end.
ReplyDeleteThe first estate was the majority (approximately 97%) of the entire population that France consisted of. It’s funny how a nation could be so ignorant not to let the majority of the people in their nation have a colossal say in their government. Did they think that they would just grin and bear it? The nation was in immense poverty and struggle while the king and queen lavished themselves in the palace with the finest foods and drinks. The people wanted to know why exactly nothing was being done to help the struggling Third Estate. The only thing they could do was riot and try to fight for what they wished. 3% may beat 97% in government, however in a fight I put all my chips in the 97% pot. They tried reason, they tried talking, they tried everything. The onus was on the upper two estates to act and they folded like a cheap tent. They did nothing an as a consequence the Third Estate rebelled and began the bloodiest revolution the world had ever known.
ReplyDeleteThe issues of the Third Estate were attacked head on with the creation of the National Assembly. Of the main struggles was the treatment of the Third Estate. Why should the first two estates be treated in a divine type manner while the third estate is treated like dirt? When they instituted the Declaration of the Right’s of Man and the Citizen, the Third Estate saw hope for now they finally were recognized as human beings like the upper class and held in regard to natural rights. This all got me thinking back to the American Revolution and how the Americans were seeking almost the same deal from the oppressive British Monarchs. People want to just be treated like equals with the same natural rights as the person standing next to them.
ReplyDeleteThe fall of France and the revolution was consequently the fault of their king. France was in extreme financial debt and poverty. Instead of creating reforms and spending the money wisely, the palace at Versailles was created, Louis XVI supported the war for independence for the Americans costing the French much funds that could have been used for better (although I’m not complaining), and drowning himself, his queen and royal subjects with extravagant parties with only the finest foods and liquors. He also thought taxes were the answer to the financial problems. This may have work if he actually made the first two estates pay their taxes instead of letting them fly under the radar without paying a dime. Louis XVI set himself up for the Nation’s Razor and had no one to blame but himself.
ReplyDeleteTo add on to what I was saying yesterday, another group that addressed the grievances of the third estate was women. During the revolution, there were many articles and pamphlets that reached out to women, attempting to gain their support. Olympe de Gouges wrote the “Declaration of the Rights of Women and Citizen”, which called upon women for their support in the French revolution. It stated that women were created equal to men, and it resembled many ideas that were brought up during the Enlightenment. With men and women marching alongside of each other in the storming of the Versailles mansion, women were then taken more seriously in the revolution. Women were a vital part of the revolution due to their organization of clubs and their participation in the armed forces. They founded the RRW (Revolutionary Republic Women), which fought against not only the inflation on the price of bread, the salt tax, but they introduced a new branch of the revolution: women’s rights. They allied themselves with the most radical of men in France. Through the revolution, not only did France itself gain a radical new form of government, but women were now viewed differently; more people in France considered them to be equal.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the women have been mentioned many times I thought I would help elaborate on that point as well. These women were nothing like those of the eloquent ones at Versailles. These women worked for a living. They lifted heavy things, cut thick meats and fish and knew how to handle a weapon. They were not merely strong physically but mentally as well, to a point where they could start a revolution themselves and use their brawn and brains to start a fierce attack. What did they have to lose anyway? They were still being regarded as the lowest of the food chain and were looked upon as only house wives. As Jeans-Jacques Rousseau put it in his book Emile, the women should just take an active role in the house not in society. He believed strongly in the teaching by the women of the young boys so they can grow up and contribute to the society. The following link explains this all in a little more detail and gives more information on women during this time: http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/chap5a.html
ReplyDeleteTo sum things up, clearly, the third estate took their grievances to the fullest extent. The third estate, ninety seven percent of the country was finally in control of the future of their homeland. They were responsible for the overthrow of the king, and the entire monarch system. The radicals were able to disrupt the history of kings that lasted for hundreds of years. Due to the revolution, the new “Mountain” radical group took power from the weak king and his fancy- hat wearing wife, and destroyed the power struggle between majority versus minority. Alongside of the use of Enlightenment thoughts of Rene Decartes and Voltaire, the people of France organized themselves, and used their resources and were able to band together and fight for what was just. They were able to expand the use of women, and the “National Razor” and use them to the fullest extent to gain a government that they felt comfortable with.
ReplyDeleteThe grievences of the third estate were not just limited to the equality of taxation. Such as equality in statuses, no letters could incriminate anyone which basically ensured the freedom of expression unless the person is accused of conspiracy, each estate had an equal say in the state, that all people would have the right to trial, and that people would have the right to property. They also wanted reform in the study of law and clearly the way in which the country was ran. They had large demands and like the Anatomy of a revolution worksheet said that we recieved in class they were demands so large that they would destroy the government. Which is what happened in the largest and bloodiest revolution of European history.
ReplyDeleteI just listened to a pretty good podcast about the beginning of the French Revolution, about the different estates and their grievances, and especially the third estate's grievances and actions. Most of it is what we already know, but if anyone doesn't quite understand this all to the full extent, hasn't read, or is a history nerd (Chris), you might like it. It's nothing like Dan Carlin, it's a high school kid who just really knows his stuff. If you are interested go to the iTunes store and search "Chapter 19A The Beginning of the French Revolution." The first five minutes is pretty much irrelevant so start after that. Around 12 minutes is when he talks about the grievances of the estates, and then he goes on to talk about the extents to which the third estate takes it and the bloodshed.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I should probably talk about the extent to which the Third Estate addressed their grievances myself instead of just telling you where to go and hear about it. Specifically, I'd like to tell you about the sans-culottes. They were called sans-culottes because they wore pants that covered their ankles (much like the ones we wear today) instead of breeches (hence the literal translation of the term, "without breeches") These people were not the bourgoisie (upper middle class) but instead were the lower middle class/working class. The sans-culottes were inspired by the events and ideas of the bourgoisie (such as the Tennis Court Oath and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen) but they felt as if the bourgoisie's voices were not heard as loud as they should be, and they felt as if these "revolutionary events" were not quite revolutionary enough. The sans-culottes desired to push the FR in much more radical direction, a direction including violence and lots of blood-shed, showing the nobles their numbers and destructive power. (not sure if that sentence makes sense...) Under Georges Danton, the sans-culottes carried out the September Massacre, attacking prisons and killing over a thousand people, including nobles and clergy believed to be traitors to their cause. This same month, the National Assembly was taken over and the National Convention was formed, and within this convention were the representatives of the sans-culottes called the Montagnards (led by Maximilien Robespierre). Eventually, after this group took over the National Convention altogether, they were able to create the Committee of Public Safety, institute a Reign of Terror, and de-Christianize all of France before some of the Jacobins decided Robespierre was a little too crazy and an end needed to be put to all of this.
ReplyDeletelolololol oh gosh..Well I suppose this also explains some of the Third Estate's grievances and the extent to which they reacted..
ReplyDeleteThe French Revolution ("Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXsZbkt0yqo
One of the major ways that problems were addressed was through brute force. The guillotine was called the "National Razor" because it took so many lives during the revolution. Revolution supporters took the lives of many, such as Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. These executions were a symbol of new change in government and a change for how the country was going to be run. many people believed that for change to occur, the death of the king was necessary.
ReplyDeleteBecky, that video is pretty awesome! It answers the quesion really well too.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Alex’s comment: Eventually, addressing grievances turned into bloody violence. The changes and reforms called for by the Third Estate were on their way to being met with documents such as the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. A constitutional monarchy was even established with the constitution. However, for radicals, such as the Jacobins, these changes were not enough. They were out to rid France of a monarchy and establish a Republic. Representatives of the sans-culottes called the Montagnards were the most radical sect in the nation and they were led by an oratory genius, Maximilien Robespierre. Addressing grievances quickly turned into the radicals assuming control of the nation. This group took over the National Convention and was able to create a Committee of Public Safety. It was a means by which they could now impose their will on the nation and do what they believed was best. Contrarily, they led France into a Reign of Terror and turned into a tyrannical organization that suppressed counterrevolutionary thoughts with the “National Razor.” In addition to Robespierre’s mass paranoia and unwavering control, Jean-Paul Marat created his own paper L’Ami du people (“The Friend of the People”) and was using it to dub “enemies of the people.” From this position, he expressed suspicion of those in power and the majority of those identified in the paper were executed by revolutionaries. Marat often attacked the most influential and powerful groups in Paris, proving that this was in fact the Third Estate/ Common people versus the Monarch/ Nobility.He helped increase the violence of the period by calling for the deaths of counterrevolutionaries.He would eventually be murdered, which was, ironically, awful for those against the violence.The people believed him to be a martyr. Essentially, the Revolution turned from a necessary means for bringing about reform to a ruthless era of executions and suspicions.
ReplyDeleteSome Marat Information and Explanation of the Paining (how it relates to and influenced the revolution)
*I always love when we can relate art to history!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh9Tync1lpg&feature=related
My computer is acting up so I am posting my comments again, if they were already pposted I apologize for posting again!
ReplyDeleteThe third estate was made up of 97% of the population in France. These people were the majority of citizens in France, yet they held no significant power and were treated as the minorities of their nation. The Third Estate consisted of peasants,farmers, merchants, artisans, lawyers, doctors, and anyone else who were not part of the clergy or who held the positionn of the nobility. While there were many who were poor and starving, the Third Estate had many knowledgable, and intellectual people(burgeoise-middle class) helping to create equality, and representation for their estate. The third estate came together due to their desire to create more legislative, economic, and legal rights within France for the common people(Third Esate.) During that time the clergy and nobility held the majority of the political power and strategically inserted their power to politics in order to continue living their lives as easily, and care free as they had been.Yet while they continued to create laws to prevent the gain of political power for the Third Estate, the people of France were finally using the one source of power that would be useful to their quest for change. The Third estate used their huge masses of people to work for the equality of taxation, law making, and rights. The Third estate started on a pathway for change just as the colonists did in America. Both were fighing for thier own perspective of equality on rights, taxes, and laws. The Sans-Culottes were one group of people who took their grievences and attempted to make a change using their force. As Becky said, this group of people were inspired by the events that began to lead towards a change in the events of the French Revolution. The Decleration of the rights of man and citizen became a big influence for the sans-culottes. While this group of people were very radical in their ideas of creating significant amounts of bloodshed in order to make a point come across, they were not as bad as the jacobins. Nevertheless the sans-culottes felt that the burgeoise did not handle the quest for change in an appropriate radical manner. Thus they performed the September Massacre, killing thousands of people based on suspicion of being traders to the Third estate or being clergy/nobles who were not helping to benefit the Third estate in their journey for change and equality. Despite having the numbers to qualify the third estate to being the majority, they were treated as the minority in france, and did not recieve the attention, rights, and respect that they deserved. The French Revolution was an attempt to change the monarch into a more government issued power, and move the third estate into political power in order to create laws and rights that were equal to all citizens living in France.
Found this, thought this was funny, it picks up at 1:20ish and it goes into the sans-culottes.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3zD0_NUlo8
!!!!!!this was the best one though! very funny and very very informitive! :)explains ALOT.
ReplyDeletePart 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvSod16wfgg
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&v=NTMFtLAS90Q&NR=1
Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&v=PyZsLYxaIuM&NR=1
The 3rd estate consisted of the 97% of French citizens who were neither part of the government or clergy, the are referred to as common people however most of them were not just local yokels, they were small shop owners, artisans and even doctors. this group was often burdened with the heaviest taxes, while receiving the least benefits of those taxes.
ReplyDeleteby the time the revolution occurred the third estate had established a pretty hefty list of credible grievances. They were angered that the heaviest taxes often fell squarely on their shoulders, while simultaneously receiving little to no involvement in the government,and when they did speak up there concerns were often blockaded by the 1st and 2nd estates. This angered the 3rd estate to the point where revolution was the only logical discourse
ReplyDeletein an attempt to thoughtfully and carefully address their grievances the National Assembly was formed. This assembly passed countless reforms in an attempt to better their lives. The first thin passed was the declaration of the rights of man and citizen. This stated the natural and inalienable rights that we as human beings possess. This is not unlike our own bill of rights that was adopted at the signing of the constitution.
ReplyDeletethis website keeps erasing my work after i write big long paragraphs! gr! take two..
ReplyDeleteokay I liked the idea of comparing this revolution to other historical events and this revolution greatly resembles that of the one that recently took place in America. Both were started by the same dissatisfaction of the people over taxation. In both France and America they were being heavily taxed as a direct economic stress put on due to the French-Indian War A.K.A the Seven Years War. This taxation angered the people paying it, which was the colonists and the third estate. They were especially angery because they had no representation in government and had no say in the taxes they paid the way other citizens did. While the colonists had no say in Parliament, the Third Estate had no say in the Estates General. This led to a revolt and the goal of both revolutions was to rid themselves of the rule of the monarchy and form a republic. The people responsible for the revolution, the National Assembly in France and the men known as the "Founding Fathers" in America decided to write a new constitution declaring the protection of their unalienable rights. Another similarity between the two revolutions is they were influenced by Enlightement ideas of freedom and equality of all men. It makes a lot of sense that the two are very similair seeing how the French revolution was inspired by the American revolution.
-Sarah Walters
hahah Val i just saw that video that you posted and it was really funny. It summed up all the main points of the revolution. it goes from the beginning of the war to Napoleon coming to power. It was a fun way to explain the revolution and it really stressed the idea of how the third estate made up almost all of France so the fact that they did not like the way in which Louis was ruling the government a revolution needed to occur. It stessed how important it is to please the majority of the people and not just those with money. Through the rap it tells of Louis XVI inadequite ruling. My favorite part was the "This is Sparta" kick that they did to Louis at 4:40 hahaha
ReplyDeleteThe third estate was made up of not only peasants and farmers but there were shop owners, factory workers, and even doctors. they are the remaining 97% of French people who were oppressed by the nobles and clergy. They had a list of grievances that they wanted to be heard, they were being taxed more than the other estates and getting the least support. Also they were usually excluded from government.
ReplyDeleteOne group that arose during the revolution was the National assembly. This group was formerly the representation of the third estate in the estates general. This group was a more conservative group that used the tennis court oath as a constitution, they then went on to pass several reforms and declarations including the declaration of right of man and citizen. THis listed the people's rights, much like our bill of rights.
ReplyDeleteBeginning in a bit of a different direction, I will start this post with the Assembly of Notables. This Assembly was started by Louis XVI to see if the leading aristocrats and churchmen in the nation were willing to pay a new land tax that would improve the already horrible financial situation of France. At the meeting these notables refused to consider the new tax and instead demanded they be granted a greater share in governing the nation. I stated the post in this fashion to show that through this refusal by the nobility, the French Revolution began. Ironically, it was the nobles who set the stage in their own downfall with their demand for the Estates General, which consisted of three bodies: the First Estate (the nobility), the Second Estate (the clergy), and the Third Estate (the commons). “Commons” referred to everyone from the bourgeoisie to peasants who were neither clergy nor nobility. Traditionally, each house only received one vote, so the clergy and the nobility dominated the Estates General. The notables, mentioned earlier, assumed that calling the Estates General would be an effective way of ensuring that the monarchy would not implement any economic reform that would place limits on their privileges and thus the Third Estate was completely disregarded in the proceedings. This Third Estate making up 97% of the population was unfairly represented by the other two Estates of France and because of this, the Revolution was bound to occur and of course it did. The exact point of this conversation was to state that the Third Estate was basically the most important Estate in the country of France because it was made up of the working class of people (laborers such as the peasants) , the professionals class (doctors, lawyers, etc.), and the skilled laborers (artisans). Without the Third Estate France could not exist of function and thus because of this unfair representation in the Estates General the Revolution if France was imminent.
ReplyDeleteThe third estate was a major component in society in france. It comprised of 97% of the people in the country. A majority of the country was without a say. This can be seen with the system the estates had. Each estate got one vote and almost always the first two estates would vote together. This lead to the third estate having virtually no power.
ReplyDeleteThe third estate had many grievances which were mostly associated with the power struggle and the taxes that the people were burdened with. The first two estates were not taxed directly which was poor on France's part. All of the wealth of the country was not being used. When the government was no able to pass legislation to tax the rich, the poor rebeled. This is when the true power of the third estate was shown. At this point only force was the answer to their problems. This flawed taxing system leads the french government to have some financial problems.
ReplyDeleteThe third estate was technically supposed to express its grievances through the political system that the estates had. However, this always failed because of the other two estates. The grievances had to be taken up to the assembly of the estates and it would be voted on. The third estate was unable to do anything. This was when the third estate had to take up arms and rebel against the government. The people were starving on the streets and the government would not do anything for this section of society. Bread riots were common in this period due to the starvation. The revolution was unavoidable and the true might of the third estate was shown with the man power it had.
ReplyDeleteAs stated before, the Third Estate in France was not justly represented by the Estates General. Indeed, the most famous pamphlet from this period was written by Abbé Sieyes, an obscure lower clergyman, who wrote:
ReplyDeleteWhat is the Third Estate? Everything.
What has it been in the political order up to the present? Nothing.
What does it ask? To become something.
Thus, this lack of representation was not taken easily by the most populous group in the nation. All of the members of the Third Estate, but mostly the professional class, began to ask for their rights and to demand more representation. By the end of 1788, The King agreed to double the number of representatives to the Third Estate, which meant little since voting still was cast by each estate as a unit and not as individuals. The Third Estate was dumbfounded by the insolence of the king and this sense of wanting change, but ultimately not knowing what direction this change should take can be seen in the thousands of cashiers de doléances, or lists of grievances, that were presented to the King by the various electoral assemblies at the start of the meetings of the Estates General. May 5, 1789, marked the first day of the meeting of the Estates General and from the beginning there were major problems!
For the record Financial Guru is Nazar for anyone that may have been wondering!
ReplyDeleteThus from the begging of the Estates meetings the Third Estate faced huge problems. The King of France was highly set against the Third Estate and rumors began to circulate that the king was preparing to take action against the leading members of the Third Estate. All of a sudden the Third Estate found that their meeting hall was closed off and thus members of the Third Estate, once again mostly people from the professional class, gathered on the tennis court on the grounds of Versailles and, in what became known as the Tennis Court Oath, promised to continue to meet “until the constitution of the kingdom is established and consolidated upon solid foundations”. In response, the King granted a number of concessions, such as promising to periodically call the Estates General and to drop some of the more onerous taxes on the Third Estate. Just one year earlier, such acts would have been greatly welcomes, but by this point, events had gone well past the point where this gesture was enough. Finally, on June 27, a desperate Louis XVI formally agreed to the consolidation of all three estates into a new National Assembly.
ReplyDeleteThe struggle for power in the Estates General was serious, but outside of Versailles the national economy was taking an even bigger hit. Bread prices rose rapidly because of the bad harvest the previous year, and perhaps 20 percent of the population was out of work. Rumors flew about, emotions ran high, and there was much unrest. Responding to the fears of a military threat, a Parisian mob attacked the Bastille on July 14, 1889, hoping to seize weapons and gunpowder and thus people addressed their grievances through revolt.
ReplyDeleteThe National Assembly went back and forth on a new constitution while the countryside experienced a general breakdown of law and order. In some places, peasants broke into manner houses and burned feudal documents that recorded their obligations, reoccupied recently enclosed lands, took over forests, and quit paying taxes. Likewise, some noble landlords panicked and fled the country, to be known as the émigrés. Thus the country was in ruins and to add to the destruction, France was put into a foreign war with Austria and Prussia due to their support of the King. The economically struggling country was now put into a place that was disastrous and truly frightening to most of the population.
Though the war abroad did not go well for France at first, a wave of patriotism swept the country. The Third Estate and thus the whole of the country took control of the Revolution and were guided by the Jacobins and Girondins, major clubs of political influence. By the spring of 1792, the royal family was under house arrest and the people of the country rallied to stop the war. As rumors began that the Prussian army was closing in on Paris, people got very scared and many prisoners were killed as a result of this unrest. This mass killing of prisoners was known as the September Massacre and despite the huge loss of life that occurred from this event, people were still not satisfied with the Revolution.
The National Assembly, now called the National Convention, was split between the Girondins, who said the revolution had gone far enough, and the Jacobins, who said that anyone who opposed their agenda was antirevolutionary. Outside the Convention, major pressure came from the sans-culottes, or working class (called by this name because they did not wear the knee britches of the middle and upper class), who pressed for even more extreme measure. The Girondins ignored the sans-culottes, but a still more radical wing of the Convention, the Mountain listened to them.
Thus, a large group of people from the Third Estate (the sans-culottes) took the revolution “in their hands” to get what they wanted. The sans-culottes demanded price and currency controls, rationing, and requisitioning to keep goods flowing to them. They finally found their spokesperson in the Convention in the leader of the Mountain, Maximilian Robespierre. The rest of the Revolution, including the Reign of Terror, was history.
i am noticing a trend that everyone is talking about the conservative nature of the national assembly but no one really mentions the sans culottes who used violence to achieve their goals, granted they weren't as successful as the national assembly, they did voice their grievances in their violence.
ReplyDeletehahah thanks sarah! i saw it and i was like this is history worthy! lol. and the other videos i posted are really informitive and really give you a clear background to the french revolution, as well as give you details to start the questions. !
ReplyDeletei find it interesting the negative connotation the that the third estate receives. People think that because they aren't royal or clergy people think they are incompetent farmers however like people have said they have a lot of shop owners, artisans, and doctors. it shows that it wasn't just the dirt poor who were upset. The revolution serves as a testament for the idea that if a movement has enough people behind it, it will succed no matter what
ReplyDeleteSergio brings up a good point, what i find fascinating about the revolution (or any other revolution for that matter) is how people can make a change for the better good. I know we've said this countless of times but for the sake of this assignment and my point, i'll repeat it again. The third estate is 97% of the population. Yes they were of the lower class but what they lacked in wealth made up in numbers. They didn't have much of a say, yet they were able to go against the powerful and their own nation for the sake of equality. I think that is incredible how human will and how the power of the people can over come any corruption.
ReplyDeleteAnd as said before, they didn't have a voice. THey were basically bullied by Less than two percent of the population. They were fed up with this whole aristocrat idea and the way they were being ruled and taxed. Someone just had to remind them of their numbers and the revolution commenced. It was difficult of course, with may groups having to be formed such as the National Assembly and the National Convention and such, but ultimately, they got what they wanted. More of a say in GOvernment, heck they made thier own government. But blood had to be sacrificed for such a change to happen, the king's blood, and the blood of any who opposed. I think it was at this point things started to get our of control, yet it shows the desperation of the people and the follies of our nature. In the end, the monarchy was abolished, heirs to the thrones were abolished, and the people had more of a say in what goes on in government, But small ol' Napoleon had to go and ruin it ಠ_ಠ
ReplyDeletehttp://all-history.org/New%20Folder/309/1.jpg
ReplyDeletei think this captures the desperation well
What i get out of this revolution is how much power people truly have. Imagine today, all the rioting across the seas, overthrowing their own with such ferocity and passion at the same time. When change is in order, it will come violently often.
ReplyDeleteWhile violence is a last resort, sometimes being used to soon, we are capable of harmless change, from the Glorious Revolution in Britain to the Civil rights act no to far in our history, humans are a race capable of any change. We just get carried away with what we want, we tirn on ourselves for it, like the Sans-Culloetes. Or the German revolution of WWII/ History repeatedly shows the capabilities of humans, not necessarily showing the best in humans, but regardless, the French Revolution may be the finest example of Human need for change.
I like the way you put that Jose, and i feel it responds to the question of the extent the third party went to for change. This is known as the bloodiest revolution in history for a reason. The need for change in any society can be found, yet each case calls for a different form of action to be taken. The extent of the actions of the people of france can be justified simply by looking at their need for change. They had a very urgent need and they took action.
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm so late on this but I think it is important to know the background info before the French Revolution to fully understand why this revolution occured. France only had one real form of government,(not including the monarchy because it was lacking leadership)the Estates General. You could even say the Estates General was useless because it was rarely ever called upon. France had a population of roughly 30 million people. 97% of that 30 million were placed in the Third Estate. They were those who were not of nobility or clergy, but the workers and peasants. Since the nobility and clergy were two sepearte estates and the richest of the three, whenever a vote came to the table the nobility and clergy would win in a 2/3 vote. This left the Third Estate helpless and weak. They finally had enough of the supression and decided to gain the rights they deserved.
ReplyDeleteThis video is silly and has really bad singing but it puts the whole French Revolution into a catchy song.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMPrMdgxgH8
Since the nobility and clergy won almost all votes between all the estates, they were able to get away for many years of heavily taxed the peasants. Taxes easily took half or more of a workers income. There were taxes due to the nobles, the church, land taxes, and taxes to the king. There also happened to be a grain/wheat shortage which increased the price of flour and bread. Bread happened to be the main source of food for the people of France and with the price increase came lots of distress through out the country. While the rich ate like pigs, peasants and workers starved in the streets of France.
ReplyDeleteSoon after grain prices increased, the Third Estate started to become irritated with having to pay all taxes and then having no money left over to buy a simple necessity like bread. The women of France decided they would not just sit around, that they needed to be proactive and fight to save their families from starvation. Some women were afraid that nothing would work and that no one would listen to them because of the fact that they were women and their say did not usually mean anything. However, on October 5, 1789, the women of the France decided to make their voices noticeable. A large group of women gathered together in the central market place of Paris and marched to the Versailles to demand that the price of bread be lowered for the starving people of France. This event became known as the March to Versailles. Once the women reached their destination they stormed through the palace in search for bread and for the king and queen. King Louis eventually gave into the angry mob of women. The march also resulted in the King and Queen moving back into Pairs. The March to Versailles was a major turning point in the French Revolution because it highlighted that working class now had power over the monarch and that they would stop at nothing until their demands for liberty, equality, and fraternity were met.
ReplyDeleteI apologize for the lateness of my posts guys had to catch up on alot of previously owed work..with that said, The Third Estate in all aspects were the working functioning people in Frrench society in which essentially built the foundation to France's economy. The Third Estate included that of Peasants who worked laboriously on farmlands,the Bourgeoisie who were the artisans, and skilled workers of French society at the time, and the Urban Poor who made up the majority of France's struggling population. They all held specific grievances of course with the king, however they did also share similar grievances as well. Their common grievances included a yearning for proper tax relief,economic oprotunity, and essentially a radical idea of equality amongst the French people under proper law. These grievances were ultimately met by the establishment of a National Assembly which finally gave the Third Estate a proper voice, the Declaration of the Rights of men which basically adressed the fact that all men are essentially created equal under common law, and lastly their grievances were adressed through the Revolution itself. Whether through its bloodshed, or through its establishment of new ideas. The People of the Third Estate were finally able to voice a necessary change in order for true progression in France. Whether all the actions of the Revolution were justified...well thats really a tough call, but were "actions" indefinitely needed? Yes, that is an aspect that will forever hold true to history and its revolutionary outcomes
ReplyDeleteI found this article interesting as it speaks upon the Reign of Terror and gives a different viewpoint about Bastille Day which many have come to celebrate as France's independence day. http://napoleone.tripod.com/bastileday.htm
ReplyDeletethis web page is a lecture about the Third Estate & details involving the French Revolution found this page to be very informative and very well written.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.historyguide.org/intellect/lecture12a.html
This is part one of a cartoon produced about the French Revolution, I found it very entertaining and fun as well as informative.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watchv=eDepJlzaREw&feature=related