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The French Struggle to Achieve Self Government

Explore the transformation of France from pre-revolution inequality to Napoleon's rule, including key events like the Tennis Court Oath, Reign of Terror, and Napoleon's Empire, with a focus on maintaining revolutionary ideals.

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The French Struggle to Achieve Self Government

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  1. The French Struggle to Achieve Self Government 1790-1815

  2. France: Before the Revolution • French society based on inequality • France divided into three estates, or classes • First Estate: Clergy • Own 10% of the land, but paid no taxes • Second Estate: Nobility • Own 30% of the land, but paid no taxes • Hold the influential positions in French society • Third Estate: Commoners • Pay 100% of the taxes • Vast differences in occupation, education, and wealth • 98% of the population, own 65% of the land • A financial crisis will lead to the French Revolution • 1787 & 1788: Poor harvests lead to food shortages and unemployment • Many French peasants lay starving in the streets • Nobles still spend • Marie Antoinette

  3. The Estates General • French version of Parliament • Each estate has one vote • How is this unfair to the third estate? • Supported by Louis XVI • Third Estate wants a constitutional government where majority rules • Begins to draft Constitution • Return 3 days later to find themselves locked out. What do they do? • The Tennis Court Oath

  4. What was the Tennis Court Oath?

  5. The French Revolution BeginsLiberty, Equality, Fraternity! • Louis XVI prepares to use force against the 3rd Estate, but something happens… • July 14, 1789: A mob of Parisians storm the Bastille. Why? • Symbol of royal power and oppression • Many political dissenters sent here

  6. Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen • Equal rights for all Men • Freedoms of Speech and Press • Access to Public Office based on talent • End Tax Exemptions • What about Women ? Olympe de Gouges

  7. 1790 • National Assembly sets up limited monarchy • King- But he and his family are virtually prisoners in Paris • Legislative Assembly to make laws

  8. 1791 • Discontent with new govt. • Catholic priests, nobles, lower classes who suffered economically, radicals who wanted more drastic solutions • King tries to flee & considered disloyal

  9. 1792 • Many European monarchies are uneasy because of the Revolution • France declares war on Austria • Does not fare well • Look for a scapegoat • The Paris Commune emerges • Sans-culottes • Takes King Louis captive and force the formation of the National Assembly

  10. 1793 • Nat’l convention splits into factions over fate of king • Girondins: Fear radicalism and want king alive • Mountain: Represent radicals and want king dead • Paris radicals convince convention to condemn king to death by guillotine • King’s execution outraged European monarchs

  11. 1793, contd. • European coalition set to invade • France reacts by giving more power to the Committee of Public Safety • Dominated by Maximilien Robespierre • Thus, the Reign of Terror begins…

  12. 1793-1794 Acts to defend France against foreign and domestic threats Suspend all democracy “Dechristianize” to assert reason Revolutionary courts set up to prosecute enemies 40,000 die 16,000 die at the guillotine This includes Queen Marie Antoinette and Olympe de Gouge The End of Terror Eventhough threats to France had been dealt with, Robespierre continues to massacre National Convention condemns him to death by guillotine on July 28, 1794 Moderates take control Establish the Directory to rule France… The Reign of Terror

  13. 1795-1799 • New constitution establishes bicameral legislature: five directors act as executive committee—The Directory • Era of corruption & graft • Only military keeps Directory in power • Coup d’etat led by Napoleon Bonaparte seizes power

  14. 1799-1815 • Napoleon rules France • Product of Revolution: commoner who rose rapidly in ranks of military • Absolute power though France is a Republic • Crowns himself Emperor

  15. Were ideals of Revolution maintained by Napoleon? • Made peace with Catholic Church • Napoleonic Code: codification of law • Equality before the law • Freedom of religion, opportunity, end to serfdom • Protection of property rights

  16. Were ideals of Revolution maintained by Napoleon? • Developed efficient bureaucracy based on merit • Insisted on govt. censorship • Shut down many newspapers • Mail opened by police

  17. Conquest of an Empire • Master of Europe 1807-1812 • Spread principles of French Revolution • Tried to destroy old European order

  18. Why Napoleon’s Empire Collapsed • Survival of Great Britain • Force of nationalism • The unique cultural identity of a people based on common language, religion, and nat’l symbols

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