Liberty, Equality, Fraternity The French Revolution Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

Old Regime “Ancien Regime” Political, social, and economic system of 18th century continental Europe Social mobility was negligible for the educated and wealthy bourgeoisie. They could not rise in social scale, hold high offices, etc. Nobles held the highest offices in the church and parlements [law courts]

Political Causes Absolute monarchy- “Divine Right” Favoritism Corruption Censorship Imprisonment without due process People had no voice in government

Social Causes Class system- “Estates” Population growing First Estate-Clergy Second Estate-Nobles Third Estate-bourgeoisie, city workers, peasants Population growing Food prices rising Wages not rising Resentment of nobility Bourgeoisie wanted political power First estate consisted of 1% of population owned 1/10 of the land were tried in church courts did not pay taxes received large sums of money from rent, taxes, and fees on their land. high clergy had the most wealth and had become lazy, worldly, and neglectful of their spiritual duties lower clergy performed most of the work for very little pay Second Estate 2% of population Retained feudal privileges [right to wear sword, primogeniture, little if any taxes, “lord of manor” Collected feudal dues from peasants Third Estate Bourgeoisie—city-dwelling middle class including doctors, lawyers, merchants. Some were wealthier than the nobility Laborers and artisans—brewers, butchers, etc. Wore shirts and trousers rather than knee britches Peasants—owed feudal dues and services such as working on roads, paid rent for the land they worked, paid the highest taxes, tithed 1/10 to the church, diet consisted largely of bread

Economic Causes To the Government To the Church To the Lords Feudal taxes and obligations To the Church tithe To the Lords feudal dues These conditions alone did not lead to the revolution because they had been present for hundreds of years taille-land tax corvee-forced labor on roads and bridges gabelles-tax on compulsory salt purchases

Economic Causes continued Louis XIV’s wars left France in debt Louis XVI’s constitutional reforms failed Nobility in opposition to the king forced him to call the Estates General in May 1789 Turgot was Louis’ finance minister who tried to combat the indebtedness of France through reforms including curtailing lavish court spending, abolition of corvee in favor a small tax on landowners and the abolition of some guild restrictions to stimulate manufacturing Necker said to tax the first and second estates but they protested. The country exhausted its credit and faced financial disaster. Announced at the Estates General that the voting would be by order not head count therefore the third estate would be at a disadvantage Debt continued to increase with borrowing money and failure to economize

Other Causes Bourgeoisie desire for laissez-faire Enlightenment ideas English and American Revolutions Incompetent and unpopular government 18th century intellectual Revolution of the Enlightenment--Separation of powers, natural rights and society could be improved, challenged old institutions, called for an end to the Old Regime Bourgeoisie—hampered by Tariffs on trade Guild restrictions on manufacturing Government mercantilist regulation on economic life English Revolution—many fled to France praising Parliament American Revolution—Lafayette, Franklin, Jefferson—debt caused by financial aid to America Marie Antoinette, daughter of Maria Theresa, represented unpopular alliance with Austria and France.

Immediate Causes Climatic disasters Poor Harvests Louis XVI Near bankruptcy Calls Estates General Cahiers A year of bad harvests coupled with climatic disasters. On July 13, 1788, a freak storm swept across northern France. It dropped hailstones so big that they killed people and animals and devastated hundreds of square miles of crops. In regions where the storm did not hit, the harvest was still poor because of a long spring drought. The coming winter brought snow and ice to northern France until April. Frost killed the grape and olive crops. Grain prices rose throughout the winter, peaking in Paris on July 14, 1789. QUESTION: How did this weather affect the French Revolution? Louis inherited an impoverished country caused by aid to American Revolution, lavish lifestyle, refusal to tax first two estates, etc. Forced to call Estates General [hadn’t met since 1614] The first two estates sent 300 representatives each and the third sent 600. Each group had one vote. Tradition mandated that they meet separately. The inability to debate this voting procedure bogged down the General so that the Third Estate declared that they alone represented the French people. Sieyes and Mirabeau pledged to cont. until a constitution was drafted. The Third Estate took on the title of the National Assembly

Tennis Court Oath July 1789 National Assembly 1789 The Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly and invited the other members to join them for the welfare of France. The king locked out the members of the Third Estate so they met in a nearby indoor tennis court. On June 20, 1789 they took the Tennis Court Oath where they pledged to continue meeting until they had written a constitution for France and seen it adopted. The king ordered the estates to all meet together. Charles Dickens’ “Tale of Two Cities” is about this Revolution National Assembly 1789

Bastille Stormed July 14, 1789 Symbol of Old Regime Peasant attacks against nobles Louis brought troops to Paris and Versailles. The people feared that he would end the National Assembly and took action. Bastille was a prison/fortress symbol of the abuses of the monarchy. It was attacked for weapons. Political prisoners were freed. Warning to the king to not resist reforms Beginning of emigration of nobles “emigres” Tricolor adopted--blue and red for Paris and white for France

National Assembly 1789-1791 Conservative, Radicals, Moderates Radicals wanted to get rid of king. They sat on the left, conservatives on the right and moderates in the center. Spreads throughout countryside with rumors of violence. Leads to formation of new government and repeated outbreaks of violence by peasants seeking revenge by destroying monasteries, manor houses, and feudal documents. Manorial fees abolished ending feudal obligations Adopted and modeled after the English Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence King refused to sanction decrees so women march partially b/c of rising bread prices. They force king and family to return to Versailles. The National Assembly is forced to move to Paris. Call for Louis to accept decrees and Declaration of Rights Seized church land some of which was sold at low prices to the peasants. Created paper money or assignats to pay for royal debt Catholic Church in France independent of Pope FINANCIAL NEED Catholic clergy paid and elected by people therefore RCC became bitter enemy of the revolution Guaranteed freedom of religion. Laws now nationwide not just local. Old provinces replaced with 83 departments ruled by local assemblies. Uniform national taxes and laws. Limited monarchy

Women’s march on Versailles Revolution of 1830 Parisians vs. Charles X Women’s march on Versailles

July 1791 Royal family attempts to flee Constitution 1791 1792 Louis imprisoned émigrés Conspires with émigré’s to retake absolute power so Louis is imprisoned for treason. Austrian and Prussian forces move towards Paris therefore King deposed and a call for a national convention following riots Emigrees-nobles who fled country urged foreign monarchs to invade France and reestablish Old Regime

National Convention 1792-1795 Republic declared January 1793 Louis executed

Horrible Guillotine Cartoons

Accomplishments of National Convention Abolished imprisonment for debt Abolished slavery in French colonies Adopted metric system Adopted national education system Prohibited primogeniture Drew up constitution with republic headed by a five man Directory

Turmoil February 1793- First Coalition vs. France War vs. Britain, Holland, Spain First Coalition vs. France Committee of Public Safety-April 1793 Britain, Holland, and Spain seek to crush revolution. The army is able to drive out foreign troops. Danton followed by Robespierre led the Committee of Public Safety whose task was to direct the army vs. foreign invaders. In the new army all classes could become officers Bread prices set to make it more affordable

Reign of Terror September 1793-1794 Suspension of Rights Watch committees “Witch Hunts” “Death of Marat” -Jacques Louis David 1793 “It is necessary to annihilate both the internal and external enemies of the republic or perish with its fall.” -Robespierre Danton and Robespierre will both fall victim to the Reign of Terror Danton is stabbed by Charlotte Corday David is a Jacobin who painted scenes of the revolution to inspire and encourage revolutionary forces People were arrested on suspicion and thousands sentenced to death

Thermidorian Reaction 1794-1796 Robespierre falls Abolished economic controls Runaway inflation Former victims now react Restriction of political organizations Bread riots and uprisings put down Urban poor had little influence until 1830 Upper class life returned Poor harvests and laissez-faire policies led to final insurrection by sans-culottes—failed Middle class now controlled France July—Robespierre executed and Terror ends

Directory 1796-1799 Middle Class constitutional republic five man executive branch Only male property owners could vote Wealthy controlled government Unpopular Bankruptcy Still at war

Significance of Revolution Democratic Ideals- “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” Nationalism Worldwide influence War became a national not local concern First in Western Europe then in Latin America and later in Asia and Africa National anthem—Le Marseilles Bastille Day July 14 State controlled education to preserve national ideals

1. Estates General and Assembly-1789-91 2. Legislative Assembly 1791-2--lower class unrest, foreign wars 3. National Convention--1792-5 radical phase, end of monarchy, constitutional measures, impact outside of France 4. Directory--1793-99 5. Consulate--1799-1804 coup, one man rule, new wars 6. Empire--1804-1815 1815-1848--efforts to return to more conservative politics undermined by liberalism, radicalism, nationalism, and early socialism

Napoleon Bonaparte Jacques Louis David capturing his victories as a military leader

Early Years Born Corsica Military School Family of lesser noble Although of Italian descent Corsica had been acquired by France therefore he was a French citizen At 10 he entered military school

Military Years and Coup Lieutenant in French artillery Military genius Artillery Directory 1796-1815 Napoleonic Wars Egyptian campaign Horatio Nelson Rosetta Stone Coup d’etat 1799 Advanced rapidly in the army when emigration of aristocratic officers left vacancies. Marriage to Josephine who was six years older but well connected with members of the Directory which helped his career. Two days later he was given the comma d of the army vs. the Austrians in Italy. At 26 he stopped an uprising in Paris that would have prevented the creation of the Directory. Directory worried about his growing popularity agreed to send him to Egypt in an effort to disrupt British empire. Setback in Egypt against Horatio Nelson did little to hurt his reputation. Returns to France leaving his troops in Egypt. Popular indignation with the Directory, financial disorder, military losses produced a crisis atmosphere in France. Fearing a return of the monarchy and with the help of Sieyes , his brother and two members of the directory he seized power.

Consulate Period 1799-1804 Domestic Reforms Legal Reforms Napoleonic Code Education Reform Economic Reform Stimulate economy Food at lower prices Increase employment Peasants retain land acquired during Revolution When he takes over he has a new constitution written which was put for a vote by the people in a plebiscite. Three consuls were supposed to govern but he ruled as a dictator. He ruled at first with a ten year term as Consul. In 1802, he was chosen to be Consul for life. People wanted stability. As consul he headed the army and navy. He could dismiss officials and propose new laws. Bank of France stabilized currency

Emperor 1804-1814 Constant warfare Continental System Empire building Continental System 1809- Marie Louise Daughter of Austrian emperor Continental System was a series of trade regulations that established French dominance on the Continent and was designed to hurt Britain. The British responded with Orders in Council which organized embargoes and boycotts against Napoleon and his allies. The British won b/c of their navy. LOUISIANA PURCHASE

Downfall and Exile Downfall Invasion of Russia 1812 Tzar Alexander I Scorched earth policy Economic problems Continental System Final Defeat Battle of Leipzig “Battle of Nations” Exile Elba Ambitions caused him to overreach, lust for power, stubborn 2. British saw him as symbol of excesses of revolution, shattering of tradition, violence of Reign of Terror, rise of military despotism 3. Britain wanted no one on continent to be that powerful—balance of power 4. Britain would not tolerate economic hardships created by continental system 5. Britain saw him as a threat to its colonial power 6. Britain ruled the seas which saved them from invasion 7. Weakness at sea forced Napoleon to give up Louisiana which he had acquired in 1800 from Spain. He could not defend it. 8. Russia initially supported continental system but Britain's Orders of Council forbade neutral nations from trading with France and its allies 9. British seizure of American merchant ships bound for the continent was one of the causes of the War of 1812 10. Napoleon blamed for decline in trade, business failures and unemployment, shortages of foods and cloth—suggested substitutions such as chicory for coffee 11. Alex I resumed trade with Britain therefore Napoleon invaded causing almost 500,000 deaths and encouraged Napoleon’s enemies to rise against him 12. Nationalist feelings increased in areas conquered by France. 13. French people exhausted

Note Waterloo, Leipzig, Russian campaign

100 Days 1814-1815 Louis XVIII restored to throne Disharmony at Congress of Vienna Napoleon arrives in France Louis XVIII goes into exile Waterloo Duke of Wellington Prussian army Napoleon abdicates Exile to St. Helena

Exile for Napoleon CONGRESS OF VIENNA