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UNIT 5 THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND NAPOLEON (1789-1815) CHAPTER 23. PART 1 – REGENTS NOTES . CAUSES OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION . Under the Old Regime in France, the burden of taxation fell mostly on the commoners making it highly unequal
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UNIT 5THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND NAPOLEON (1789-1815)CHAPTER 23
CAUSES OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION • Under the Old Regime in France, the burden of taxation fell mostly on the commoners making it highly unequal • Before the Revolution, the people of France were divided into Three Estates based on social class • Many people felt the monarchy and government were denying basic human rights and failed to meet the needs of the people • The French Revolution challenged the power of the monarch • The bourgeoisie (educated middle class) resented their lack of political power under the Old Regime; hey made up a large part of the Third Estate
EFFECTS OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION • It was a turning point in global history because it inspired other nations to seek democracy and independence • Power shifted to the bourgeoisie, so the middle class gained influence • After Napoleon’s downfall in 1815, nationalistic feelings were stimulated in Europe and Latin America • The Revolution allowed radical political groups like the Jacobins to come to power
REIGN OF TERROR • French dictator Robespierre took power after Louis XVI was abdicated (taken out of power) • He ushered in the Reign of Terror • Anyone perceived to be an enemy would be executed by the guillotine • He executed members of every class in France
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE • One major effect of his rule was that he restored political stability • The French people supported him because they hoped he would provide stability for the nation • He failed to expand his empire into Russia because of the country’s size and climate (cold, harsh weather)
CONGRESS OF VIENNA • In 1815, this organization of European nations wanted to restore old monarchies and regimes to power • The Congress established a balance of power in Europe after the defeat of Napoleon
THE OLD ORDER • Old Regime—social and political system in France during the 1770s • Estates—three social classes of France’s Old Regime • First Estate - Catholic clergy—own 10 percent land, pay few taxes • Second Estate - rich nobles—2 percent population, own 20 percent land • The Third Estate - 97 percent of people are peasants, urban workers, middle class, have few privileges, pay almost all of the taxes, want change
THE FORCES OF CHANGE • Bourgeoisie – middle class group who embraced Enlightenment idea • High taxes and rising costs damage economy by 1780s • KingLouis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette known for extravagance; Louis doubles nation’s debt • He calls Estates-General on May 5, 1789 - meeting of representatives from all three estates to approve a new tax he wanted to impose on the Second Estate • First time Estates-General met in 175 years
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY • June 17, 1789 • Delegates, who represented the Third Estate, proclaimed the end of absolute monarchy and the beginning of a representative government • Tennis Court Oath—delegates decide to write new constitution for France
BASTILLE DAY • July 14, 1789 • Rumors spread in Paris that Louis was going to use military force to suppress the National Assembly • Mob attacks and seizes the Bastille (French prison); they killed guards in an effort to steal gunpowder to defend Paris • Event known as “Storming the Bastille” • Symbolic act of the revolution; national holiday
GREAT FEAR • Rumors and panic spread throughout France • Attacks by peasants taking place across France • Peasants destroy legal papers binding them to feudal system • In October 1789, Parisian women revolt over rising price of bread • They demand action, forcing Louis to return from Versailles to Paris
DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF MAN • National Assembly adopts Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen • Revolutionary leaders use the slogan, “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” • The document stated that “men are born and remain free and equal in rights” • Document guaranteed freedom of speech and religion
CHANGES IN THE CHURCH • National Assembly seizes church lands and turns clergy into public officials • This caused the new government to lose the support of peasants
NEW GOVERNMENT • In September 1791, Assembly finishes new constitution • Legislative Assembly—new body created to pass laws • Major problems, including debt, food shortages remain • Assembly split into Radicals, Moderates, Conservatives
JACOBINS • Jacobins - radical political organization behind 1792 governmental changes • Louis XVI is found guilty of treason and beheaded • Guillotine—machine designed during the Revolution to behead people
ROBESPIERRE • Maximilien Robespierre—Jacobin leader rules France for a year in 1793 • Becomes leader of the Committee for Public Safety and a dictator • The Committee for Public Safety imposed his “Reign of Terror”
REIGN OF TERROR • Robespierre’s rule, which includes killing many opponents • Thousands die during the Terror, including former allies and Marie Antoinette • 85 percent of those who die during the Terror are middle or lower class but no one was safe from the guillotine • In July 1794, Robespierre arrested, executed by his fellow revolutionaries • Two-house legislature and five-man Directory restore order and lead the new government
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE • He was a military genius who seizes power in France and made himself emperor • In 1795, Napoleon defeats royalist rebels attacking National Convention and was declared a military hero • Napoleon wins stunning victories in Italy, gaining popularity • In November 1799, he carries out a coup d’état (seizure of power) and overthrows the Directory
NAPOLEON RULES FRANCE • In 1800, a new constitution is approved through a plebiscite (vote of the people) • To fix economy, he sets up national banking system, efficient tax collection, and a fairer tax code • Establishes government-run public schools to train officials • Signs concordat—agreement—with pope restoring Catholicism in France • Creates Napoleonic Code—uniform system of laws • Napoleon did not expand freedom of speech for the French • In December 1804, Napoleon crowns himself emperor of France
NAPOLEON CREATES AN EMPIRE • Sells the Louisiana Territory to United States for $15 million in 1803 to raise money, cut his losses in America, and to increase America’s power as a British rival • Britain, Russia, Austria, Sweden join forces against Napoleon • Napoleon conquers a large portion of Europe by crushing enemy forces in several brilliant battles • Napoleon forces Austria, Russia, Sweden to sign peace treaties
THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR • In 1805, British win Battle of Trafalgar whichensures British naval superiority • Using a brilliant and bold maneuver, British Admiral Horatio Nelson split up the French fleet into smaller groups and then attacked them • This defeat forces Napoleon to give up his plan to invade Britain
THE CONTINENTAL SYSTEM • Napoleon strikes Britain through blockade (forced closing of ports) • Continental System - economic plan to strengthen Europe, weaken Britain • Smugglers and uncooperative allies make France’s blockade fail • Britain responds with blockade of its own, led by its stronger navy
THE PENINSULAR WAR • In 1808, Napoleon sends troops across Spain to attack Portugal in an effort to enforce his Continental System • Napoleon makes his brother king of Spain, making things worse • Spanish fight as guerrillas (small groups that attacked and then fled into hiding) • British aid Spanish guerrillas • Napoleon loses 300,000 soldiers during this war • Nationalist rebels fight the French in other conquered territories
THE INVASION OF RUSSIA • Relations with Russia break down so Napoleon decides to invade • In June 1812, Napoleon’s Grand Army marches into Russia with 420,000 men • Czar Alexander I used a scorched-earth policy (destroying crops and livestock) so French would starve • Russians retreat from Moscow after being defeated at Battle of Borodino • Napoleon’s forces move on to Moscow; Alexander burned the city rather than surrender it to the French • Napoleon eventually retreated after losing thousands of soldiers to Russian raiders, starvation, and cold weather
NAPOLEON’S DOWNFALL • Britain, Prussia, Sweden, Russia, Austria join forces against Napoleon • Napoleon raises another army, but meets quick defeat by allied powers • April 1814 - Napoleon finally surrenders and is exiled to island of Elba
THE HUNDRED DAYS • Louis XVIII, new king, is soon overthrown and Napoleon returns from exile • Battle of Waterloo - British and Prussian forces led by the Duke of Wellington defeat Napoleon’s army in June 1815 • This defeat endsthe Hundred Days which was Napoleon’s last attempt at power • British send Napoleon to the island of St. Helena where he eventually died in 1821 • Freed European countries began to establish a new order
CONGRESS OF VIENNA • Series of meetings that reshape Europe during the winter of 1814-1815 • Klemens von Metternich - foreign minister of Austria who was an influential leader at Congress • He wanted to restore a balance of power so that no one country would be a threat to others • Main goal = establish security and stability for the nations of Europe • Important effect = nationalistic feelings grew in countries that were placed under foreign rule (ex: Latin American countries)