The French Revolution and Napoleon Chapter 23

Section 1-The French Revolution Begins

The Old Order The Old Regime-The social and political system in France during the 1700’s The people were divided into three large classes called estates

The Old Order The First Estate- The Second Estate- Made up of members of the clergy of the Roman Catholic Church Scorned Enlightenment Ideas The Second Estate- Made up of rich Nobles who held the highest offices in government Disagreed about Enlightenment ideas

The Old Order The Third Estate- Included bourgeoisie, urban lower class, and peasant farmers Had no power to influence government Resented the wealthy First and Second Estates

The Forces of Change Economic Troubles in France- Taxes made it too hard for merchants and businesses to make profit Factors including the rise in the cost of living, wide spread crop failures in the 1780’s, and the price of bread doubling made life in France hard Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette live extravagantly and piled up massive debt helping America fight England

Dawn of the Revolution The National Assembly- The Third Estates delegates were heavily influenced by the Enlightenment and eager to make changes in government Suggested that all three estates meet together and that each delegate should get a vote (giving them the advantage) The Third Estates became the National Assembly This action was the first deliberate act of revolution

Dawn of the Revolution Tennis Court Oath-The Third Estate broke in and promised to stay in the indoor tennis court until a new constitution was drafted

Dawn of the Revolution Storming the Bastille- It took place on July 14th, 1789 Mobs stormed the prison after rumors emerged that Louis was using military forces against the National Assembly Attackers killed the prison commander and several guards They put their heads on spikes in the streets This became the great symbolic act of revolution Bastille day is celebrated like our 4th of July

The Great Fear Sweeps France Peasants were afraid that the nobles had hired outlaws to terrorize them As a result the peasants went into the homes of nobles with pitchforks and farm tools destroying the old legal papers that forced them to pay federal duties After the price of bread rose in Oct. 1789, peasant women rioted and Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were forced to leave France

Section 2-Revolution Brings Reform and Terror

The Assembly Reforms France The Rights of Man- A set of revolutionary ideas drafted by the National Assembly Said “men are born and remain free and equal in rights” Life, liberty, security, and resistance to oppression The document guaranteed equal justice, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion

The Assembly Reforms France A State-Controlled Church- Members of the National assembly focused on reforming the church Church lands were confiscated saying church officials should be elected and paid by the state Catholic Church lost land and political independence The selling of church lands helped pay off France’s debt

Divisions Develop Legislative Assembly- Legislative body who had the power to create laws and approve or reject declarations of war The king could still enforce laws

Divisions Develop Old issues caused the Legislative Assembly to split into three factions Radicals- Wanted massive gov. changes, opposed monarchy Moderates- Wanted only some changes to gov. Conservatives- Liked the idea of limited monarchy and only wanted a few gov. changes

War and Execution France at War- As usual the war begins badly for France By summer of 1792 Prussian forces were advancing on Paris Aug 10th, 1792- 20,000 men stormed the Tuileries and captured Louie, Marie Antoinette and the kids Angry protesters raided the prisons and killed over 1,000 prisoners

War and Execution France at War- National Convention- September 21st, 1792 New government of France Disposed of the King Dissolved the National Assembly Made France a republic Adult males were given the right to vote and hold political office

War and Execution Jacobins- Radical members of the political organization that brought sweeping changes into the French Government Jean-Paul Marat- Jacobin writer who called for the deaths of those who still supported the king Guillotine- Quick and efficient way of beheading a criminal Louis XVI was executed this way

Terror Grips France Reign of Terror- July 1793, Maximilien Robespierre became the leader of the Committee of Public Safety and ruled like a dictator During this time nearly 40,000 citizens were killed Including George Danton and Marie Antoinette 85% were peasants Reign of Terror ended in July 1794 with Robespierre’s capture and execution