My French Assignment

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION 1715-1804 The widespread of the population of France was made up of commoners, who resented the human rights enjoyed by the aristocracy and clergy. In addition, the growth of new ideas during the 18th century's enlightenment resulted in thinkers such as Voltaire and Rousseau beginning to trouble the principles of the old government and absolutism. These thinkers spoke of a open-minded civilization that enjoyed free commerce. They also championed equivalent rights and the elimination of the class scheme. Frenchmen who had been exposed to the ideas behind the American Revolution further encouraged the notion of revolution. In 1789 the crisis came to a head. On July 14th, a Parisian crowd appalled and stormed the Bastille prison, which was seen as a representation of political oppression. The French revolution had begun. On the August 26, 1789 the revolutionaries issued the Declaration of the Rights of Man which personified the philosophy of Liberté, Egalité, and Fraternité, and was intended to finish the class system. During the Revolution, Louis XVI was guillotined, along with scores of moderates and radicals, at the Place de la Revolution (now the Place de la Concorde). Robespierre and his Committee of Public Safety brought on the Reign of Terror in France. RENAISSANCE 1453-1598 Francois I strengthened the French coronet during the early 16th century. He also welcomed to France numerous Italian artists, such as Leonardo Da Vinci. Their authority assured the success of the Renaissance method. The years between 1562 and 1598 saw an increase in the number of Huguenots (Protestants), which led to the Wars of Religion between Catholics and Protestants. Catherine de Medici ordered the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre of hundreds of Protestants. In 1589, Henri IV, who was a target of the annihilation, became the first Bourbon king of France and astutely changed to Catholism. Henry ended the Wars of Religion with the Edict of Nantes, which assured religious and political rights to the Huguenots. THE GRAND SIECLE 1598-1715 The 17th century is renowned for being an age of profligacy and authority for the French Monarchy. King Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu altered France's feudal monarchy to a supreme monarchy. Louis XIV, however, is the French king linked more than any other King with this period. Also known as the Sun King, Louis strengthened his own power by keeping all the local princes and lords busy with the elaborate court existence at his palace in Versailles. This focus on court life kept the local princes and lords from focusing on trying to emasculate Louis' power. This period is also known for the genius of the writers, architects and musicians who were promoted by the royal court. Sadly, Louis' extravagance, in particular Louis XIV's endless wars, was costly, and would put the majority of France in financial risk by the end of his supremacy. Louis also revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685. Louis XIV died in 1715 and Louis XV assumed the throne. The Bourgeoisie began to desire more political rights, and this would come to create a great dilemma for Louis' successors.