The French Revolution and Napoleon

France

France in the 1700’s Most advanced country in Europe Center of the Enlightenment Cultural Center Large population> 25 million Prosperous foreign trade BUT………..

Underlying issues Old Regime- 3 Estates $ division between the “haves” and “have-nots”= revolution Enlightenment ideas- Equality, Liberty, democracy- American Revolution- “Popular sovereignty” Economic problems: High taxes, debt from wars Weak leader: Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

Causes-Social Inequality Social Inequality - three estates Three estates First Estate (upper clergy) - 1% of population, taxed peasants Second Estate (nobles) - 2-3% of population, paid no taxes, taxed peasants Third Estate (Bourgeoisie, peasants, workers) - paid up to 1/2 of income in taxes 1st estate - about 100,000 Roman Catholic clergy 2nd Estate

Causes-Ideas Enlightenment Ideas/ American Rev. Belief all men should have liberal freedoms Right and just to remove unjust gov’t Equality for all United States Dec. of Independence and Constitution-France helped Colonies win their independence

Causes-Political King Louis XVI Weak leader Preferred personal interests, delegated authority Incapable of decisive action Wife- Marie Antoinette-Not well-liked-Austrian- Married Louis XVI @ 14 years old- Lived luxuriously (diamond necklace affair)

Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette

Causes - Economic Economic Crisis French economy bankrupt Wars, Louis XVI lifestyle Nobles not taxed Crop failures Debt - 1/2 budget goes to interest Bourgeoisie begin questioning King

Revolution Dawns Votes: Each Estate received one vote (Usually the 1st and 2nd estate voted together) Delegates from the 3rd Estate wanted to change that though-they believed everyone should have the same value to their vote. Therefore, the 3rd estate would always out vote the 1st and 2nd estates.

On June 17, 1789 the third estate voted to have a National Assembly On June 17, 1789 the third estate voted to have a National Assembly. This was the 1st move toward revolution. The 3rd Estate was immediately locked out of the Estates General and they broke into an indoor tennis court where they agreed to stay until a new constitution was written. They called their agreement the Tennis Court Oath.

Tennis Court Oath National Assembly declared (June 20, 1789)

A Great Fear Sweeps France People began to panic which led to a period called the Great Fear. This period occurred when rebellion spread to the countryside. Peasants began to attack their feudal lords and demand their freedom. A group of 6,000 women protested the rising cost of bread. “Let them eat cake”

Revolution Brings Terror The National Assembly adopted a statement of Revolutionary Ideas— A Declaration on the Rights of Man.—All men are born and remain free and equal in rights. It also included equal justice, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. Olympe de Gouge wrote—a Declaration on the Rights of Women

Conflicting Goals Cause Division A limited constitutional monarchy was created—the king would still hold executive powers but the assemblymen would make the laws. 1791-the National Assembly closed because the constitution was complete and the Legislative Assembly took over.

3 Divisions of the Legislative Assembly Radicals (Liberals)-They sat on the left side of the hall and were called “left winged” They wanted extreme changes in the government---common people should hold the power Moderates—sat in the middle—wanted some changes, but not as extreme as the radicals. Conservatives- They sat on the right side of the hall and they liked the limited monarchy.

The Jacobins The people in the street had more power than the National Convention and the most radical group was called the Jacobins. Jacobins were middle class people who wanted to get rid of the king and create a republic. They were able to have France abolish the monarchy and create a republic.

The death of a king Jacobins tried Louis for treason, found him guilty and sentenced him to death. Louis was killed by the guillotine in front of thousands. Jacobins realized they still had a war to fight, so they initiated the draft—women were included in the draft.

Maximilien Robespierre

Committee of Public Safety (?) Robespierre became leader of the Committee of Public Safety, which would get rid of people that were deemed by Robespierre to be enemies of the Republic. People would be tried in the morning and guillotined in the afternoon. July 1793-July 1794 Robespierre ruled France as a dictator and his rule was called the Reign of Terror— the most famous victim was….

Marie Antoinette On her way to the guillotine she said, “Monsieur, I beg your pardon. I did not do it on purpose.”

Guillotine

End of Terror National Convention turns on Robespierre in 1794 and they put him to death by guillotine…The Reign of Terror ended with his death.

Napoleon Forges an Empire Great military genius Took control of France in a coup d’etat Gains peace agreement w/Britain, Austria and Russia France under Napoleon: Fairer taxes Improved schools Napoleonic Code- some restrictions