Background Political revolutions occur throughout history and are major turning points in a country's history. Political revolutions occur throughout history and are major turning points in a country's history. Causes: They are usually the result of poor or oppressive government, Negative Results: Many times they end in a worse situation than before. Negative Results: Many times they end in a worse situation than before. Positive Results: Sometimes political the government becomes more responsive to their people's needs.

American Revolution Inspired by Enlightenment thought Inspired by Enlightenment thought Anger over taxation made American feel natural rights were violated Anger over taxation made American feel natural rights were violated Boston Tea Party was a form of protest by colonists Boston Tea Party was a form of protest by colonists

American Revolution War broke out in 1774 War broke out in 1774 Colonies declared independence in 1776 Colonies declared independence in 1776 US won the war in 1783 – Treaty of Paris US won the war in 1783 – Treaty of Paris

Causes Economic crisis The peasants & commoners were the only people in France taxed – forced to support the whole country The peasants & commoners were the only people in France taxed – forced to support the whole country Drought caused decline in harvest – leading to food shortage Drought caused decline in harvest – leading to food shortage Poor people became angry Poor people became angry

Causes Absolutism Estates General (French Parliament) had not met in 169 years Estates General (French Parliament) had not met in 169 years Louis XVI preferred to rule as absolute monarch Louis XVI preferred to rule as absolute monarch Louis XVI refused to consult with Estates General even during times of crisis Louis XVI refused to consult with Estates General even during times of crisis Louis XVI finally called the Estates to help Louis XVI finally called the Estates to help

Causes Estates General Made up of 3 estates (groups) Made up of 3 estates (groups) –1 st Estate – Clergy –2 nd Estate – Nobility –3 rd Estate – Bourgeois Each estate received 1 vote regardless of the percentage of the population represented Each estate received 1 vote regardless of the percentage of the population represented

The Third Estate Broke away from the 1 st & 2 nd estates Broke away from the 1 st & 2 nd estates Wrote a pamphlet What is the Third Estate? - claiming they represented the people of France Wrote a pamphlet What is the Third Estate? - claiming they represented the people of France

National Assembly 3 rd Estate was joined by a few clergy from the 1 st Estate 3 rd Estate was joined by a few clergy from the 1 st Estate Formed the National Assembly and lock themselves in the tennis courts at Versailles Formed the National Assembly and lock themselves in the tennis courts at Versailles

Oath of the Tennis Courts National Assembly took an oath, pledging not to leave the Tennis Courts until they create a constitution for France National Assembly took an oath, pledging not to leave the Tennis Courts until they create a constitution for France Louis XVI sends in soldiers to break up the meeting Louis XVI sends in soldiers to break up the meeting

Storming of the Bastille Economic situation worsens in France Economic situation worsens in France Thousands of poor people march and storm the Bastille – an old prison that represented the aristocracy and the old regime Thousands of poor people march and storm the Bastille – an old prison that represented the aristocracy and the old regime

Louis XVI Negotiates Louis XVI sees the situation is bad Louis XVI sees the situation is bad Calls off the soldiers at the Tennis Courts Meeting and the Bastille Calls off the soldiers at the Tennis Courts Meeting and the Bastille Agrees to negotiate with the National Assembly Agrees to negotiate with the National Assembly

Constitution The National Assembly creates a new constitution based on Enlightened ideas – inspired by the American Revolution The National Assembly creates a new constitution based on Enlightened ideas – inspired by the American Revolution

Louis XVI Flees Louis loses control over France Louis loses control over France Louis begins to look for help from other countries Louis begins to look for help from other countries Louis and his family tries to escape but are caught and returned to Paris Louis and his family tries to escape but are caught and returned to Paris They are tried, imprisoned, and beheaded They are tried, imprisoned, and beheaded

Radicals Some people didn’t feel like the reforms of the Constitution went far enough Some people didn’t feel like the reforms of the Constitution went far enough Called for more reforms – equality, no slavery, universal suffrage (voting)… Called for more reforms – equality, no slavery, universal suffrage (voting)… Invaded England and Austrial Invaded England and Austrial Radicals began to kill people who were not in support of the reforms Radicals began to kill people who were not in support of the reforms

Robespierre Robespierre was a radical liberal French revolutionary Robespierre was a radical liberal French revolutionary He led the “Reign of Terror” throughout France He led the “Reign of Terror” throughout France 40,000 people died in a year 40,000 people died in a year

The Directory Radicals lost power Radicals lost power The Directory – of 5 moderates – took over The Directory – of 5 moderates – took over Eventually, they grew corrupt Eventually, they grew corrupt Financial problems resurfaced and people revolted Financial problems resurfaced and people revolted Invited military leader Napoleon to put down rebellions Invited military leader Napoleon to put down rebellions

Napoleon – Enlightened Despot Napoleon took over control of the military Napoleon took over control of the military Overthrew The Directory and crowned himself Emperor of France in 1801 Overthrew The Directory and crowned himself Emperor of France in 1801 Enacted new progressive reforms Enacted new progressive reforms Established a new set of enlightened laws – Code of Napoleon Established a new set of enlightened laws – Code of Napoleon

Napoleon’s War Napoleon waged a war of expansion against his European neighbors Napoleon waged a war of expansion against his European neighbors Took over much of Europe Took over much of Europe Invaded Russia (during winter) and lost almost all his men Invaded Russia (during winter) and lost almost all his men Never recovered from the loss Never recovered from the loss Finally defeated at Battle of Waterloo 1815 and exiled to Isle of Elba Finally defeated at Battle of Waterloo 1815 and exiled to Isle of Elba

Stages of the French Revolution 1st Stage: National Assembly Third Estate declares itself the National Assembly, vows to write new Constitution. (1789) 2nd Stage: Limited Monarchy New Constitution of 1791 limits the monarchy, sets up a representative assembly. 3rd Stage: Radicals 1792, Radicals take over. Maximillien Robespierre is leader. Reign of Terror, many die as result. 4th Stage: Directory Moderates return to government. In 1795, 5 man Directory runs country. Government very weak. 5th Stage: Napoleon 1799 Coup d'etat... takes control from Directory names himself Emperor of the French. Absolute government again.

Congress of Vienna After war, Europe’s most powerful countries met to restore order After war, Europe’s most powerful countries met to restore order –England, France, Russia, Prussia, Austria Led by Austrian Prince Metternich Led by Austrian Prince Metternich Restored monarchs to throne Restored monarchs to throne Redrew map of Europe to maintain balance of power Redrew map of Europe to maintain balance of power –Ignored issues of ethnicity

Concert of Europe Europe’s 5 most powerful countries met throughout the 19 th century to maintain peace Europe’s 5 most powerful countries met throughout the 19 th century to maintain peace –England, France, Russia, Prussia, Austria

Napoleon Rules Spain Napoleon took over Spain in1801 Napoleon took over Spain in1801 Spain’s South American colonies used it as an opportunity to rebel Spain’s South American colonies used it as an opportunity to rebel Simon Bolivar and San Martin led independence movements throughout South America in 1810 Simon Bolivar and San Martin led independence movements throughout South America in 1810

Revolutions of 1848 Economic problems and power abuse led many countries to revolt around 1848 Economic problems and power abuse led many countries to revolt around 1848 Goal: to create liberal governments (more democracy) Goal: to create liberal governments (more democracy) Most of the revolutions were generally unsuccessful but showed that people had the power to make some small changes Most of the revolutions were generally unsuccessful but showed that people had the power to make some small changes Took place in: Poland, the Balkans, France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Austria… Took place in: Poland, the Balkans, France, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Austria…

Evolution of British Democracy French Revolution 1215 Magna Carta 1295 Model Parliament Long Parliament English Commonwealth 1688 Glorious Revolution & Bill of Rights Late 1600s Political Parties 1714 Cabinet System st Prime Minister, Robert Walpole 1789 Absolute Monarchy 1791 Constitutional Monarchy 1792 Democratic Republic 1799 Dictatorship under Napoleon Return to Monarchy