The French Revolution

Causes of the French revolution People feel restricted by gov’t Three Estates Role of Church Economic Conditions Intellectuals criticizing (The Enlightenment!) Gov’t does not respond to needs of the people Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette Higher taxes No food for people, famine

Causes of the French Revolution Government faces economic hardships Wars of Louis XIV Participation in American Revolution Excessive spending of Monarchs Famine/lack of food Social Classes Unhappy Three Estates Bourgeoisie Sans culottes High Taxation Estates General

Stages of French Revolution Stage One: Removal of the Ancien Regime AKA Old Regime ( ) Create new government National Assembly

Stage One Continued Storming of the Bastille (July 1789) Women’s March to Versailles

Stage One continued Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen New Constitution abolish feudalism (serfdom) and slavery Starts moderate but becomes more radical over time Declare war against Austria, Prussia

Stage Two: Radicalization Maximillien Robespierre - “Reign of Terror” Guillotine Abolish monarchy/declares republic/executes Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette Expansion of French Revolution as an international war

Stage Three: Thermidorian Reaction Attempt to restore order and create a moderate government Reign of Terror ended July 27 th & Robespierre guillotined on July 28, 1794 The Directory Too little too late  leads to rise of Napoleon Bonaparte (r )

Napoleon Bonaparte General in French army during the Revolution Comes to power in 1799; coup d’état crowns himself emperor in 1804 Two main goals: Improve France internally Create a large French Empire in Europe

Internal Changes to France Napoleonic Code Civil Equality Concordat of 1801 Religious tolerance Widespread education high schools and universities All citizens pay taxes BUT: no freedom of the press

Creating a French Empire Placed family members and friends in key areas (Spain, parts of Italy and Germany) Russian Campaign marks the failure of Napoleon 1814: Exiled to Elba The Hundred Days: NB returns for 100 days as leader of France 1815: Exiled to St. Helena

*Controlled everywhere but Great Britain, Ottoman Empire & Sweden

Consequences of French Revolution Congress of Vienna (1815) Led by Klemens von Metternich (Austria) “Balance of Power” Redraws European borders Rise of European Conservatism (keep status quo) Haitian Revolution End of successful French monarchy Rise of Nationalism Leads to unification of Italy (1860) and Germany (1871)