The
French Revolution and Napoleon (1789-1815)
(cs
10.2.1 Compare the major ideas of philosophers and their effects on the
democratic evolutions in England, the United States, France, and Latin
America)
French Revolution Begins
1700s - most advanced country in Europe
large population
prosperous foreign trade
center of Enlightenment
culture praised and imitated by the rest of te world
Great unrest
bad harvest
high prices
high taxes
disturbing questions raised b the Enlightenment ideas
The Old Order
Old Regime
Division of people
Three classes (estates)
1. The Third Estate (97% of the population)
a. Bourgeoisie
i. wage earners (could be as rich as the noble)
ii. well educated (believed strongly in Enlightenment ideals)
b. Peasantry
i. Forced to do military service
ii. Could not hunt or fish on noble's estate
iii. Pay taxes to their lord, the king and church
iv. Largest group of the 3rd estates
2. The 2nd Estate (priviledged)
a. nobility
i. complete authority over peasants
ii. did not do military service
iii. exempt from mst taxes
iv. collected tolls (roads and markets)
v. lived in chateaux and palace.
vi. held highest offices in government
vii. disagreed with Enlightenment ideas
3. The 1st Estate
a. Priests
i. despised the Enlightenment ideas
The Forces of Change
New ideas - serious economic problems - weak and indcisive leadership generated
a desire for change
Enlightenment Ideas
3rd estate inspired by the success of the American
Revolution
began to question
demand equality, liberty and democracy
Economic Trouble
In decline
excess taxes impossible for profitably
cost of living rose
widespread crop failure
shortage of grain (main stable - bread)
price of bread sharply rose
A Weak Leader
Louis XVI
indecisive
let matters drift
didn't listen to advisers
little patience for the details of governing
Queen not much help (Marie Antoinette)
"Madame Deficit"
excessive spending
Solution - tax the noble
was forced to call a meeting - Estates-General
(last held 175 years prior)
an assembly of respresentatives from all three estates
Dawn of the Revolution
Clergy and noble dominated the Estates-General
The National Assembly
3rd estate delegates (mostly bourgeoisie)
insisted that each delegate have a vote.
(advantage for 3rd estate)
were denied by the king
sympathizer Emmanuel Joseph Sieye (clergyman)
pass laws/ reforms in the name of French people
agreement within the 3rd estate
Tennis Court Oath
locked out of their meeting room
broken down a door to an indoor tennis court
pledge to stayed until an new constitution was drawn
some nobles and clergy favored reform joined the 3rd estate delegates
Louis stationed his mercenary army of Swiss guards around Bersailles
Storming the Bastille
July 14
rumors flew
use of military force to dismiss the National Assembly
foriegn troops to massacre French citizens
people gathered weapons to defend
search for gun powered and arms in the Bastille
overwhelmed the guards
seized control
killed commander and guards
parading them in the street
symbolic act of revolution to the French people
French National holiday
A Great Fear Sweeps France
Wild rumors circulated - nobles hire outlaws to terroirze
the peasants.
Great Fear - Wave of senseless panic
Peasants - become outlaws
broke into noble manors
destroyed legal papers
feudal dues requrement
burned down home
October 1789
women rioted over the rise in bread cost
demanded Nationals Assembly take action
turned anger on king and queen
broke into palace
killed guard
Revolution Brings Reform and Terror
The Assembly Reforms France
The Rights of Man
(see handout: Declaration of the Rights of Man and
of the Citizen)
"men are born and remain free and equal in rights"
"liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression"
guaranteed citizens equal justice, freedom of speech, freedom of religion
State Controlled Church
church lost land
sold to pay off France's hugh debt
alarmed peasant
many opposed the assembly's reforms
Louis Tries to Escape
Dvisions Develop
A Limit Monarchy
1791 - stripped king of much authority
created the legislative assembly
power to create laws, approved or rejected declaration of war
king - executive power to enforce laws
Factions Split France
three general groups
radicals - sitting on the left side of the hall
opposed idea of monarchy
sweeping change
moderates - sitting in the center
some changes in government
conservatives - sitting on the right
limited monarchy
few changes in government
outside the Legislative Assembly
Emigree
Nobles/others who had fled France
- undo the revolution/restore the Old Regime
Sans-culottes
those without knee breeches
workers /shopkeepers
greater change
exerted power on the streets
War and Execution
France at War
Jacobins Take Control
The War Continues
The Terror Grips France
Robespierre Assembes
Control
End of Terror
Napoleon Forges an Empire
Napoleon Seizes Power
Hero of the Hour
Coup d'Estat
Napoleon Rules France
Restoring Order at Home
Napoleon Crowned as Emperor
Napoleon Creates in Empire
Loss of American Territories
Conquering Europe
The Battle of Trafalgar
The French Empire
Napoleon's Empire Collapses
Napoleon Costly Mistakes
The Continental System
The Peninsular War
The Invasion of Russia
Napoleon Downfall
Napoleon Suffers Defeat
The Hndred Days
The Congress of Vienna
Metternich's Plan for Europe
The containment of France
Balance of Power
Legitimacy
Political Changes Beyond Vienna
Conservative Europe
Revolution in Latin America
Long Term Legacy