The French Revolution and Napoleon

I. Beginning of Revolution Until late 1700s, people of France divided into three estates, or social classes First estate – clergy, owned 10% of land, paid very few taxes Second estate – nobles, owned 20% of land, paid almost no taxes Third estate – everyone else, broken into three groups Bourgeoisie – bankers, business owners, merchants – paid high taxes Urban workers – low wages, high taxes Peasants – half of income paid to various taxes Enlightenment ideas force change Thinkers called for changes in government, religion, economy Rousseau, Voltaire – fathers of French Revolution

I. continued… Economic problems further ideas of revolution High taxes = no profits for middle class Crop failures = food shortages, high prices for peasant class Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were big spenders France was deep in debt Third Estate revolts Began at meeting of Estates-General – assembly of three Estate reps Called for reform, end of absolute monarchy Formed National Assembly, pledged Tennis Court Oath – draw up new constitution Storming of Bastille (July 14, 1789) – signified beginning of Revolution

I. continued… Great Fear Peasants afraid of retaliation by king and nobles Stormed/destroyed nobles’ homes Riots over price of bread

II. Revolution In Full Force Declaration of the Rights of Man “men are born and remain free and equal in rights” “liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression” Revolutionary ideas did not apply to women Reforms Catholic church under state control Devout Catholic peasants opposed these reforms New Constitution Limited power of king Created new legislative body – Legislative Assembly Create laws, approve war Disagreements created factions, disorganization

II. Continued… Reign of Terror Maximilien Robespierre slowly gained control in chaos following fall of monarchy , war with Prussia Set out to erase traces of France’s past Closed all churches in Paris, remade calendar (no Sundays) Period of rule called “Reign of Terror” Eliminated all “enemies of terror” Extensive use of the guillotine – 40,000 people executed peasants, nobles, clergy alike Beheaded in 1794 after members of own government feared for their lives

III. Rise and Fall of Napoleon I Napoleon Bonaparte – brilliant military leader, rose quickly up the ranks Led French forces during war with Prussia Seized power during period of uncertainty in French government Coup d'état – “blow to the state”, suddenly seized government through military People of France were desperate for leadership Voted overwhelmingly to give all power to Napoleon Kept many revolutionary reforms, while creating powerful, authoritative government Promoted law and order, but allowed religious freedom, more social equality Established extensive higher education system to train officials

III. Continued… Power hungry Crowned himself Holy Roman Emperor Sought to unite Europe under his leadership

III. Continued… Defeat and defeat again Napoleon eventually spread his forces too thin Britain, Prussia and Russia forced Napoleon to surrender after a number of defeats Exiled to island – Elba – off of Italy Louis XVIII assumed throne, but was extremely unpopular Napoleon escaped, reclaimed throne, welcomed as hero Final defeat at Battle of Waterloo (1815) 2nd period of power known as Hundred Days Died in exile in 1821

IV. Fallout of French Revolution & Napoleon Congress of Vienna Members of other European nations gathered to discuss aftermath of Napoleon and restoring balance of power Many wanted to return to old ways, but seeds of change had been planted France lost most of its power, while Britain’s increased Rise of political factions – conservatives, liberals, radicals Nationalism spreads Ideas of nationalism (having great pride in ones own nation, based on shared culture, race, ethnicity) spread throughout Europe Societies united in defense against Napoleon Laid foundations for other revolutions and reforms throughout Europe, later world

Wrap-up What were the main reasons for the French Revolution? What long-term impact(s) did the French Revolution and Napoleon have on Europe and the world?