The French Revolution

1. The French Revolution Mr. Simmons World History

2. Background to Revolution • French society based on inequality and feudalism. • The Three Estates • 1st Estate – clergy, exempt from taxes • 2nd Estate – nobles, leading positions in state, wanted to increase power at expense to monarchy • 3rd 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)

3. The Estates-General • Louis 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

4. 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.

5. 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 vote • Other 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

6. Discussion Questions • How did French Government spend lavishly? • Compare French and American Revolution? • Why would the third assembly favor a more majority rules voting system?

7. The Move to Radicalism • Radicalism 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.

8. 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.

9. A Nation at Arms • Mobilization in 1794, around 1.2 million men in army. (peoples army fighting for the people) – nationalism • Many 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.

10. 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.

11. Discussion Questions • Why did the Dechristianization not work in France? • Why were devices like the guillotine used during the French Revolution? • How did Constitution of 1795 try to reach stability in France?

12. 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 Army • Coup 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.

13. 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 law • Developed powerful, centralized bureaucracy in which he named the members

14. 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

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

16. 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.

17. Discussion Questions • Why would Napoleon make a deal with the Church? • How did Napoleon feel about women? • Did Napoleon continue ideas of the revolution as he had promised? • What are symbols of American nationalism?