French Revolution and Napoleon Unit 5 The French Revolution and Napoleon

French Revolution and Napoleon French Revolution

French Revolution and Napoleon Political Causes King was divine right monarch People were denied voice in government Louis XVI—incompetent – Dull mind – No leadership qualities Marie Antoinette—unpopular –Austrian Hapsburg –Vain, frivolous person

French Revolution and Napoleon Social Causes- 3 Estates First – Clergy – 1.5% Second – Nobility – 1.5% Third Bourgeoisie – Merchants – Bankers – Attorneys City workers Peasants 97%

French Revolution and Napoleon Social Causes- 1 st & 2 nd Estates Owned most land Collected feudal dues (banalites) Were exempt from most taxes Held best government/military jobs Received special legal treatment Did include some poor parish priests

French Revolution and Napoleon Social Causes— 3 rd Estate (Bourgeoisie) Most powerful group on continent Wealthy and well-educated Resented arrogance of nobles Wanted role in shaping governmental policies Wanted to end mercantilism, preferring laissez-faire – Ideas presented by economist Adam Smith Wealth of Nations (1776)

French Revolution and Napoleon Social Causes- 3 rd Estate Third Estate (whether bourgeoisie or peasants) was the unprivileged class

French Revolution and Napoleon Economic Causes— Spending Louis XVI – Spent heavily to aid American colonists against Britain – Maintained lavish court at Versailles – Refused to tax privileged classes

French Revolution and Napoleon Economic Causes- Taxes Bourgeoisie – Provincial tariffs on trade – Guild restrictions on manufacturing – Government mercantilistic regulations Peasants –½ of income=taxes – To government Taille (land tax) Corvee (forced labor) Gabelle (tax on salt purchases) –To Church--tithe –To lords—banalites

French Revolution and Napoleon Economic Causes— Ignored Advice He ignored economic advice to: – End court extravagances – Tax the nobility Louis heeded his nobles and dismissed economic advisors

French Revolution and Napoleon High above the hushed crowd, Rex tried to remain focused. Still, he couldn’t shake one nagging thought: He was an old dog and this was a new trick.

French Revolution and Napoleon Ideological Causes— French Philosophes Challenged traditional thinking and institutions Vision

French Revolution and Napoleon Ideological Causes— Other “Revolutions” England--Puritan Revolution and Glorious Revolution – Geographically close – English took refuge in France – French philosophes praised English parliamentary government

French Revolution and Napoleon Ideological Causes— Other “Revolutions” American “Revolution” – Lafayette and other French involved – Franklin and Jefferson were popular American envoys to France

French Revolution and Napoleon Estates-General Summoned 1789 To solve financial crisis Had not been called since 1614 (175 years) Admitted king could not solve France’s problems

French Revolution and Napoleon Undemocratic Estates-General Representation – 1st and 2nd Estates each had 300 – 3rd Estate had 600 Voting – Each estate had 1 vote – First 2 estates could outvote 3 rd Cahiers – Lists of grievances from members of 3rd Estate

French Revolution and Napoleon Causes Concept Map

French Revolution and Napoleon National Assembly—1789 3rd Estate led by members of 1 st & 2 nd estates – Abbe Sieyes (1st Estate) – Count Mirabeau (2 nd Estate) Demanded that E-G be changed into a National Assembly – Each member (not estate) would have 1 vote Louis rejected it

French Revolution and Napoleon National Assembly— rd Estate: – Declared themselves to be the National Assembly – In Tennis Court Oath, pledged to write constitution Paris mobs pressured Louis to give in to National Assembly

French Revolution and Napoleon The Bastille Destroyed July 14, 1789 Rumors that king was sending troops to disperse Assembly In reaction, Paris mobs destroyed Bastille Peasants attacked nobles’ castles, destroyed records of feudal dues

French Revolution and Napoleon Rioting Paris mobs Guarding Paris police Burning Paris stuff Watching US students

French Revolution and Napoleon Women’s March on Versailles October, ,000 women (?) Demanded royal family return with them to Paris

French Revolution and Napoleon National Assembly ( ) Controlled by bourgeoisie Abolished: – Unfair taxes/tithes – Tax exemptions of privileged – All class distinctions – Guild restrictions on trade and manufacturing

French Revolution and Napoleon Declaration of the Rights of Man Men are born free & equal with rights to: – Liberty – Property – Security – Resistance to oppression All citizens are entitled to voice in making laws All persons are guaranteed – Equality before the law – Freedom from unlawful arrest – Freedom of speech, press, and religion

French Revolution and Napoleon Assembly’s Religious Measures Guaranteed religious freedom Civil Constitution of the Clergy – RCC in France=national church – RCC clergy became paid government officials to be elected by the people – Seized RCC lands Condemned by pope & most French clergy Clergy who did not swear allegiance to the law were called nonjuring clergy Church became revolution’s bitter enemy

French Revolution and Napoleon Assembly’s Financial Measures Seized RCC lands (1/5 of France) – Broken up and sold to peasants – Backed assignats, new paper currency

French Revolution and Napoleon Assembly’s Political Measures Assembly stimulated loyalty to nation: – Streamlined provincial organization – Created national taxes, ending provincial ones Constitution of 1791 – Bourgeoisie to hold power – Limited monarchy – Elected Legislative Assembly

French Revolution and Napoleon Edmund Burke Reflections on the French Revolution (1790) Denounced its excesses

French Revolution and Napoleon Those Favoring Republic Girondists – Moderates, representing bourgeoisie – Wanted middle-class republic like US Jacobins – Radicals, representing city workers These workers paid no taxes=no voice in new government – Wanted republic dominated by poor

French Revolution and Napoleon Those Favoring Limited Monarchy Most of bourgeoisie Many peasants Too many groups opposed limited monarchy

French Revolution and Napoleon Those Favoring Old Regime Louis XVI – Tried to flee Devout Catholics led by nonjuring clergy French nobles – Emigres urged foreign monarchs to invade France and restore Old Regime Foreign monarchs – Feared French Revolution would inspire revolt among their people

French Revolution and Napoleon End of Monarchy Foreign armies moved on Paris French mobs attacked, accusing king of communicating with enemy Legislature deposed king and called for election of National Convention – Govern France – Draw up new, more democratic, constitution

French Revolution and Napoleon National Convention First French Republic – The Convention tried Louis on charges of treason and put him to death Louis’ death alarmed other monarchs Soon France was invaded

French Revolution and Napoleon Committee of Public Safety Jacobins seized Convention Conscripted armies drove out invading forces Centralized power into Committee of Public Safety – Then by Robespierre – Led first by Danton

French Revolution and Napoleon Reign of Terror Created by CPS to protect revolution from domestic enemies Brutally crushed all opposition Eventually horrors of Reign of Terror turned French against Jacobins – In 1794, Danton and Robespierre were guillotined Moderates regained control of Convention

French Revolution and Napoleon Reforms by Convention Ended imprisonment for debt Abolished slavery in colonies Adopted metric system Planned national education system Prohibited primogeniture Created republican constitution

French Revolution and Napoleon Directory 5-man ruling committee created by Constitution Incompetent and corrupt Lasted only 4 years

French Revolution and Napoleon Significance of French Revolution Democratic ideals – Liberty—freedom for all – Equality—equal treatment for all – Fraternity—brotherhood of all Emphasis on nationalism – Marseillaise became national anthem – Bastille Day made national holiday – State-controlled education to preserve nation’s ideals

French Revolution and Napoleon Worldwide Influence Ideals of democracy and nationalism Influenced peoples in: – Western Europe – Latin America – Asia – Africa

French Revolution and Napoleon Napoleon

French Revolution and Napoleon Why Napoleon? France’s desire for order – Wanted to safeguard gains and have order Napoleon’s character – Brilliant mind – Magnetic personality (charismatic) – Ruthless Military ability – Educated in military academy – Inspired his soldiers

French Revolution and Napoleon Napoleon’s Rise 1795—Dispersed rioting Paris mobs 1797—Defeated larger Austrian army 1799—Reported exaggerated victories in Egypt 1799—Coup d’etat over Directory – Kept republic – Concentrated power in himself

French Revolution and Napoleon Napoleon’s Rise 1802—France won war with Allies 1804—Napoleon changed republic into empire – Crowned himself Emperor Napoleon I – People voted overwhelming approval French Revolution led to undisguised dictatorship

French Revolution and Napoleon Height of His Power Reduced Prussia and Austria to minor states Divorced Josephine – Childless Married Marie of Austria, daughter of its emperor –Had a son

French Revolution and Napoleon Height of His Power Annexed neighboring lands Made alliance with only other continental rival, Russia Only enemy=Britain

French Revolution and Napoleon Height of His Power

French Revolution and Napoleon Continental System Berlin and Milan Decrees – Napoleon closed continent to British trade Orders in Council – Britain barred neutrals from trading with France & allies Both sides hurt – Interfered with neutral trade – Britain suffered economically – Napoleon was harmed by resentment of Europeans

French Revolution and Napoleon Continental System

French Revolution and Napoleon Russian Opposition Tsar Alexander I felt Napoleon was threat to Russia Russia suffered economically under Continental System In 1812, when tsar resumed trade with Britain, Napoleon invaded

French Revolution and Napoleon Rising Nationalism Nations across Napoleon’s empire inspired by French Revolution Napoleon now faced opposition from entire nations rather than just monarchs

French Revolution and Napoleon Why Napoleon Fell Personal weaknesses – Lust for land and power – Overreached because of ambition – More stubborn and unwilling to accept advice

French Revolution and Napoleon Why Napoleon Fell Britain’s opposition – Saw Napoleon as symbol of Fr. Rev. excesses – Wanted no one continental nation to be all-powerful – Suffered because of economic warfare Britain’s control of seas – Forced Napoleon to give up his largest overseas possession, the Louisiana Territory

French Revolution and Napoleon Napoleon’s Downfall Peninsular War ( ) – Britain supported Spain and Portugal in nationalistic war Invasion of Russia (1812) Wars of Liberation ( ) – Prussia & Austria won independence Napoleon abdicated his throne and was exiled to Elba

French Revolution and Napoleon The Hundred Days 1815 Escaped from Elba Returned to France, regaining control for 100 days Allies beat him at Waterloo Exiled to St. Helena Died there in 1821

French Revolution and Napoleon Accomplishments Exercised powers of absolutist Made laws Censored speech and press Ordered arbitrary arrest/imprisonment Provided efficient government Furthered Revolutionary principle of equality Accomplished noteworthy reforms

French Revolution and Napoleon Political Reforms Centralization of local government – Placed local governments under national authority – Appointed officials Today France remains a unitary government

French Revolution and Napoleon Legal Reforms Code Napoleon – Equal treatment before law – Ended serfdom and feudalism – Guaranteed religious toleration and trial by jury Code Napoleon is basis of law in many parts of world today

French Revolution and Napoleon Financial Reforms Collected taxes fairly and efficiently Paid governmental debts promptly Created Bank of France Pleased bourgeoisie and encouraged business enterprise

French Revolution and Napoleon Public Works Reforms Built roads, bridges, and canals Dredged harbors Beautified Paris

French Revolution and Napoleon Religious Reforms Concordate of 1801 – State paid clergy’s salaries – Church surrendered claims to lands taken during Revolution – Bishops chosen by State but confirmed by pope Later annexed Papal States and was excommunicated

French Revolution and Napoleon Educational Reforms Controlled all education Built new schools Improved standards Made schools uniform Prepared courses of study to extol Napoleon and nationalism Progressed at expense of Church schools

French Revolution and Napoleon Influence on Europe Map changes – Abolition of Austrian-dominated HRE – Reduction in number of German states, thus aiding German unification

French Revolution and Napoleon Influence on Europe Legacy of revolution – Spread French Revolutionary doctrines – Ended Old Regime abuses of feudalism and serfdom – Introduced Code Napoleon – Encouraged state-controlled education

French Revolution and Napoleon Influence on Europe Legacy of war and empire – Growth of militarism – Intolerant nationalism among conquered peoples – Widespread destruction – Poor European economy – Heavy tax burden on conquered – Was first modern dictator

French Revolution and Napoleon Unit 5 The French Revolution and Napoleon