French revolution in Pictures

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Jean-Pierre Houel/The Bridgeman Art Library/Getty Images

Today, France still celebrates Bastille Day. When the people stormed the Bastille, Louis finally got the hint that revolution was nigh.

1. What happened during the Storming of the Bastille?

The Storming of the Bastille was when angry mobs of people stormed the prison located in Paris, on the 14 July 1789. They had stormed it to take the arms and ammunition stored inside the Bastille. But they had also stormed it for a more symbolic purpose. The Bastille hadrepresented the power of the King and the dictorial power of the monarchy. From the source above you can see that a lot of violence was involved in the Storming of the Bastille. As well as this you can see that there was a lot of damage from it. The Storming of the Bastille was such an important event that it is a national celebration throughout France.

1. Who might have supported this event?

Basically anyone who was not a part of the royal family. Many people were against the royalty, as they had spent large sums of money on unnecessary causes and items, such as the American Revolution and other pointless spending’s like parties and ball gowns for his wife. All the people hated King Louis XVI and his terrible way of governing the country and would have been delighted to see people rebelling against it. This may have also inspired more people to join in the French Revolution’s cause. Even the King’s own army stood by when he ordered them to fight against those involved in the French Revolution. This just proved how much the people really wanted to get rid of King Louis XVI.

 

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A colored engraving shows the runaway royal family busted by French democrats. King Louis and Marie Antoinette were apprehended in Varennes, just miles from the Austrian border. Some say the strong scent of the queen's perfume gave their whereabouts away.

1. ​​What does the above photo indicate about King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette?

The above source shows that all of the country was angered by the royal couple. Both King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette had spent a lot of money on unnecessary items and causes, leading to the massive debt in France, which had extremely annoyed the people. The photo above shows that all of the country had become annoyed at King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, with everyone from the army/ military to the citizens. The photo above indicates that Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI had extremely stuffed up (their governing of the country), and all the people had come to seek their revenge

  2. Why were they being arrested?

Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI were arrested after they had tried to flee from the country. The royal family had planned to escape France, and get away from the impending doom that was to come to them during the French Revolution. They had been caught at the town of Varennes, after having been spot. This attempt failed and they were taken away by the people, back to France. The reason for the failure was because of Louis XVI’s indecisiveness. The small problems he had created (from postponing it etc.) grew into larger problems and eventually led to their capture.

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In this engraving, titled "The Awakening of the Third Estate," an aristocrat and clergyman are horrified to see a man casting off the shackles of his class. Theorist Emmanuel Joseph Sieyes wrote that "Nothing can succeed without [the Third Estate]."

1. ​Which estates do the three men represent in the above photograph?

The three men above represent the three different estates of the Estates-General, an assembly that met when called upon (which was not very often.) Each man in the image above represents different estates. The first man, the one in the front, wearing colored clothing represents the Second Estate, which was the nobility. This can be seen through the clothing he is wearing. The above outfit, is one typical of the nobility, so it was used to represent their class. The man standing behind him represents the First Estate, which was the clergy. This can also be seen in the clothing he is wearing, which is classic religious attire. The man lying in front of them is someone who represents the Third Estate, the rest of the people of France. This can be seen because he is wearing different clothing but for another reason too. The Third Estate was always the estate that had the least say, which was basically nothing. They were treated the poorest and there rights were different to the others. The fact that the other two men are standing above the “suffering” man hints at the classes, as this is similar to the behavior of that time: that the Third Estate was treated unfairly by the others.

1. What message is being portrayed about the Estate System in the photograph? Provide evidence from the photo.

The image above shows a man physically removing shackles. This is representative of the metaphorical shackles that bound the Third Estate. They were restricted from many rights and were not given as many opportunities. The source shows someone representing the Third Estate “removing the shackles,” showing that the group were standing up for their own rights and breaking away from their bindings. The two men standing above him, representing the other two classes (Clergy and Nobility), show the unfairness of the system. The fact that their facial expressions can be read as shocked (also stated in the description underneath), shows that they are surprised at what the man is doing, as if there was no reason for the Third Estate to rebel. This image conveys how the first two estates had a lot more power over the Third Estate.

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This watercolor image on cardstock shows the motley assortment of people to whom the French Revolution gave a voice.

a) Identify the following for the above photograph; who is being represented in this picture?

In this picture the people of France are being represented (even children), basically anyone who was not part of the Royal family. As you can see there are regular citizens in the picture, and also others who had a bit more power. The different people who can be seen in this picture is represented in the clothing they are wearing, some are wearing more elaborate clothing than some others. The French Revolution was very important in giving all people a voice and rights, which can be seen in the image above, where they are uniting together to rebel against those that have stopped them from having a voice. 

b) What important event might this photograph represent?

I believe that this image may represent the Reign of Terror. Evidence behind this includes that they are holding stakes with heads attached to the top. The two heads appear to be a man and a woman, which would most likely be the King and Queen of France: King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Another reason is that there seems to be some form of power figure of the French Revolution standing on a pedastool, representing that he may be the leader of the event that is occurring.  This could mean that this is Maxmillien de Robespierre, who was a leader, and one of the power figures, in the French Revolution but he was also the man who started the Reign of Terror. The man standing on the pedastal could be Robespierre, which shows that this photo could represent the Reign of Terror

 

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1. What is meant by French Liberty and British Slavery.

The French Liberty represents the people of France after the French Revolution. After they had fought for their right to freedom and equality, they had achieved what they wanted. They had been given the liberty that they had fought so strongly for. The British Slavery in this source represents the people of Britain, who had fallen under slavery. It shows how they were still under the rule of the Ministry, but as compared to those in the French Liberty, they still had food, a good house, proper clothing and other luxuries the French Liberty could not afford.

  2. Use the source to give examples of why these images are mocking the French Revolution.

The source above is mocking the French Revolution for a variety of reasons. The French Liberty image shows a starving, malnourished citizen, showing what happened after they were given the freedom that they so desperately wanted. But after they were given this freedom they could not afford many necessities: food, proper clothing and good shelter. They now had the liberty they so desperately wanted, but had to pay the price of a simpler life. It also compares it to another country, Britain, and how they had a better life, than those with the freedom. It is saying that even though the British in this picture are under the rule of someone, they still had a lot more than those with the freedom following the French Revolution. It shows a British man who is extremely wide, showing that he has had the opportunity to eat heaps of food. It also shows him eating a rather large hunk of meat, also showing how much food they have. He is also sitting on a detailed, elaborate chair that shows the luxuries that they could afford. Lastly, is his surroundings. The house around him looks spacious and well-kept, which is a lot better than that of the "French Liberty's."This source is mocking the French Revolution as it conveys that although other countries may have been under the rule of a monarchy or King etc. they still were being supplied with the necessities as compared to those in the French Revolution who had fought for their freedom to get rid of their ruler, but were short on all the same necessities.

 

Last question: Use any 3 of the above sources

 

Refer to at least 3 of the above sources in your answer, explain

(in your own words) why the French Revolution was considered a period of violence and bloodshed but also brotherhood and liberty.

 

The French Revolution was a fundamental event in recognising that all humans are equal, no matter what their status, race etc. But it was also a time of brotherhood, liberty, violence and bloodshed. This can be seen in the many images above, that show what happened during the French Revolution, and the people that were a part of it. The first example of the terrible violence that  was involved is in Source 1. Source 1 shows what happened during the Storming of the Bastille, in which you can see lots of destruction and violence occuring. As you can see, many guns, cannons, bayonets and other weapons which led to a lot of death. The violence can be seen mostly in the bottom half of the image and shows many people fighting, and in some cases killing. This image shows the violence that  was involved in the French Revolution. But it was also a time of brotherhood and working together. This can be seen in Source 4, in which the people are working together to end the reign of the King. The people in the image can be seen to be engaging with eachother, and also helping eachother. They are uniting and supporting eachother. They are all working together to take what they deserve and by uniting together, they have been able to get the freedom they rightly deserved. Another example of the brotherhood and liberty that happened but also the violence and bloodshed that occurred is in Source 2. Source 2 shows, both violence and brotherhood. All the people in the image have united to capture the royal family, which would have resulted in violence, as seen with the weapons. But, the people were working together which represents the brotherhood involved in the French Revolution. The French Revolution was a time for the people of France to band together, and fight for their rights, which did result in violence and destruction.