The French Revolution

Mr. Simmons

World History

Background to RevolutionFrench society based on inequality and feudalism.The Three Estates 1st Estate – clergy, exempt from taxes2nd Estate – nobles, leading positions in state, wanted to increase power at expense to monarchy3rd Estate – commoners, 98% of population, also divided by differences, peasants, artisans, shopkeepers, and the bourgeoisie (middle class)Immediate cause was collapse of Frances finances (wars and court luxuries,especially Mary Antoinette)

The Estates-GeneralLouis XVI was forced to call Estates-General, meeting of representatives, Third Estate much larger and wanted more of the power.

Third Estate called themselves a National Assembly and decided to draft a constitution. (Tennis Court Oath)

Commoners stormed the Bastille, prison in Paris as Revolutions broke out all over France.

The Great Fear, forming of militias

Destruction of Old Regime

Declaration of Rights of Man and the Citizen, freedom and equal rights for all men (included women except in politics)Louis XVI and royal family held prisoner by large gathering of women armed with muskets, swords, pitchforks, and pikes.The Church also had to be reformed since it was run by the state.

Destruction of Old Regime (cont)Assembly adopted its Constitution in 1791, set up new system with limited king and legislative assembly, anyone who did not pay a certain amount in taxes could not voteOther European monarchs threatened to help Louis, but Assembly declared war on them(Austria)France lost battles and distrust in Assembly grew, power started to change hands toward the san-culottes, common people

Discussion Questions

1. How did French Government spend lavishly?

2. Compare French and American Revolution?

3. Why would the third assembly favor a more majority rules voting system?

The Move to RadicalismRadicalism covered France and thousands of people were arrested and massacred.Jean-Paul Marat, was a famous leader of these radicals. (poor from the rich)National Assembly – end monarchy and establish Republic, dissenting factions – Jacobins – who wanted king dead and the country Girondins – wanted king alive.King was beheaded by the guillotine thought to be humane.Maximilien Robespierre – formed the Comitee of Public Safety – if you did not follow general will you needed to be executed.

Reign of Terror

Protected France from outside invaders

Around 50,000 killed during this time

Brutal tactics used – guillotine, drowned alive, etc.

Republic of Virtue- schools produce good citizens, training on citizenship

Women stayed active in revolution, although man thought they should not fight of be involved in politics.

Dechristianization of France, calendar, word saint, etc.

A Nation at Arms

Mobilization in 1794, around 1.2 million men in army. (peoples army fighting for the people) – nationalismMany in National Convention feared Robespierre. He was obsessed with ridding France of foreign foes.In 1794 Robespierre was executed, and the radical Jacobins would lose power.

The Directory

New Constitution of 1795 established a legislative assembly of 500 council and 250 elders, electors would choose represenatives

Five directors would be chosen to be in charge of the legislators (Directory)

This style government lasted only until 1799, because of corruption, and spill over from the Reign of Terror.

In 1799, a coup d’etat was preformed by a popular general Napoleon Bonaparte.

Discussion Questions

1. Why did the Dechristianization not work in France?

2. Why were devices like the guillotine used during the French Revolution?

3. How did Constitution of 1795 try to reach stability in France?

The Rise of Napoleon

Napoleon dominated European history from 1799 to 1815.Studied warfare greatly, by 25 he was named brigadier general.Very witty and liked general in the ArmyCoup d’ etat, gave him absolute power in new government called the consulate.In 1802 named himself consul for life, 1804 declared himself Emperor Napoleon I.

Napoleon’s Domestic Policy

Made agreement with Church that stated Catholicism as official religion of France.The Napoleonic Code – undid a lot of the revolutionary changes made to law code, such as divorce, women rights, but upheld equality over lawDeveloped powerful, centralized bureaucracy in which he named the members

Napoleon’s Empire

At first Napoleon signed Peace treaties with all warring countries and then in 1803 war started again with the Grand Army defeating Prussia, Russia, and Austria.

Grand Empire had three parts: French Empire, dependant states, allied states.

He sought to spread ideas of Revolution throughout kingdoms, and urged rulers to be constitutional kings

European Response

Survival of Great Britain and nationalism were two main factors in collapse of Napoleon’s power.Britain survived because of sea powerNapoleon tried to use Continental system, embargo of British Goods, this failed.Nationalism – cultural identity based among common language, religion and national symbols.

Fall of Napoleon

Invasion of Russia, Grand Army of over 600,000 men entered Russia

Russia kept retreating and destroying everything as they went. (led to Napoleon’s Great Retreat)

Only 40,000 men returned that winter, French Army was crippled

Paris was captured, Napoleon banished to Elba, King reinstated until Napoleon returned in 1815. Napoleon would lose at Waterloo and he was exiled to St. Helena island.

Discussion Questions

1. Why would Napoleon make a deal with the Church?

2. How did Napoleon feel about women?

3. Did Napoleon continue ideas of the revolution as he had promised?

4. What are symbols of American nationalism?