French Revolution

France…. Background Buildup of autocracy in 15 th -16 th centuries Largely Catholic –Huguenots (Protestant) a sizeable minority –Fighting b/t Catholic and Protestant –1598- Edict of Nantes: promoted religious tolerance

Strengthening the Crown Cardinal Richelieu- advisor to French monarch –Goal: strengthen the monarchy Louis XIV: inherited throne at 4 yrs. Old –Reign –“Sun King”, “Most Christian King”, divine right –Palace of Versailles –Revoke Edict of Nantes

Strengthening the Crown Louis XIV –Appoints Jean Baptiste Colbert as economic advisor Mercantilism= need for empire Increase empire= more resources= more wealth –Numerous wars= debt

French Revolution Economic problems: –War debts –Poor taxation policies –Poor harvests –Lavish lifestyle of monarchy Louis XVI summoned Estates General –governing body with members from each estate –Had not met in 175 years (absolutism)

French Revolution Conflict between the estates at the meeting June 17, Third Estate declares themselves the National Assembly July 14, storming of Bastille August, Declaration of Rights of Man

French Revolution new Constitution ratified –Created Constitutional Monarchy; King retains executive power Austrians and Prussians invade France to restore monarchy –Marie Antionette was sister of Austrian Emperor –Unsuccessful

French Revolution Continued unrest= another new Constitution –Declares France a republic –Established the Convention as the new ruling body 1793: Convention (led by radical Jacobins) imprison royal family and behead king and queen

French Revolution Reign of Terror: –Constitution once again thrown out –Committee of Public Safety created and facilitate the revolution Led by Maximilien Robespierre and Jacobins –Thousands beheaded –Eventually, Robespierre too was beheaded 1795: yet another government established, called the Directory

Rise of Napoleon Directory created strong military –Napoleon Bonaparte popular military man 24 at the time –1799: overthrows Directory and declares himself First Consul

Napoleon Popular ruler –Many domestic reforms –Napoleonic Codes (1804)- implemented some Enlightenment ideas and equality for men Begins to build a French empire in Europe –Conquers Austria, Prussia, Spain, Portugal, and parts of Italy –1804- crowns himself emperor

Napoleon 1810: empire at its height 1812: attacks Russia= mistake Conquered areas use this as opportunity to defeat and overthrow Napoleon –Exiled –But, disagreements about how to restore order

Napoleon Napoleon returns, tries to regain power Defeated at Waterloo and permanently exiled to St. Helena, later dies there. Other nations meet to restore balance of power

Congress of Vienna 1815: Congress of Vienna –French territory return to pre-Napoleonic borders –Returned rulers of areas conquered by Napoleon –French monarchy restored, but with Constitutional limits

France…. Continued 1830: another republic created, lasts until Revolutions of : Louis Napoleon established a second French empire 1870: Louis-Napoleon overthrown and yet another republic created How is all that for confusing????? This is just one example of how confusing European politics can be.