Governments go through the political spectrum, bouncing back and forth beginning with liberals who begin the revolution and create a constitution, then to rule of the moderates. When the conservatives try to arrest the change and slow things down, radicals take over; instituting a reign of terror. Then reactionaries attempt to stabilize the country by taking the rule back to a monarch or an aristocracy. When this fails one person steps in a assumes absolute control. The revolution continues when the liberals want more rights and a new constitution. One leads to the next depending on how bad the situation was to begin with (conditions present for revolution), and how well each phase of the revolution resolves the problems.

National Assembly-(Liberal) declared the Estates general the National Assembly abolished feudalism, repealed the tithe and canceled all feudal dues and services owed by the peasants. did away with the special privileges of the 1 & 2 estate. adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man. seized church land and sold it. elected clergy. wrote a constitution. The constitution created a new government and dissolved the National Assembly while allowing the monarch to remain in a symbolic role. Liberals begin the revolution with the Tennis Court Oath and create the first constitution.

Legislative Assembly- (Rule of the Moderates) This new government had problems with outside invasions and with the monarchy. Monarchists try to keep things as they are. (Challenge of the conservatives) A group of radicals seized control of the city government of Paris. (This next group in Paris is called the commune) Legislative Assembly tried to govern France while the commune governed Paris. The old constitution was suspended and a new was to be developed by the National Convention. Moderates try to operate while attempting stabilization while going back and forth. This threatens the ideals of the revolution and radicals take over.

National Convention -(Radical)abolished the monarchy tried to export the ideas of the revolution. fought foreign wars, Codified French laws. abolished slavery in the colonies. Brought Louis XVI to trial on charges of treason, plotting against the security of the nation, executed him after finding him guilty. Also created the Committee of Public Safety to direct the army in crushing all foreign invaders. And created a court called the Revolutionary Tribunal to try "enemies of the Revolution." using both the Committee on Public Safety and the Revolutionary Tribunal to begin a Reign of Terror. They wrote a new constitution in 1795 where only property owners could vote. Radicals institute vast and far reaching changes but too many too fast and the Reactionaries step in. Created the Directory.

Directory- (Reactionary Rule) 5 man rule (one of these men was Napoleon) really an aristocracy prices increased, weak bankrupt. fought wars. Try to return to prior situation but are usually unsuccessful because the conditions present for revolution remain.

Here we can access results of revolution or impact. Things begin to go back to the way they were

One man rule - Napoleon must make changes himself in France and throughout Europe to keep himself in power. Although he continues with the ideas of the revolution he forces the ideals on many by his conquests. One man rule is an attempt to correct the conditions present for a revolution and depends on the one man. Government makes changes at first then becomes a totalitarian government.

Monarchy then returns in a different form.

If enough reforms aren't made then.....

New conditions (ailments or conditions present) for revolution based on the old; Then revolution continues with the liberals attacking and we go back through the cycle.

Governments Political Spectrum

National Assembly Liberal Symbolic onset & Constitution

Legislative Assembly Rule of the Moderates

(partly ruled by Commune) Attempts at stability

Challenge of the Conservatives

National Convention Radical

Committee on Public Safety Reign of Terror

Directory Reactionary Rule

One Man Rule leads to Monarchy returns in different form

if change has not been made by reform then

if and when:

weapons are available,

goals are clearly defined with a slogan,

groups are unified, and

leaders are present
 

then the revolution continues.......

Liberal.....

Moderate..... Challenge of Conservatives

Radical.......

Reactionary......

One Man Rule....