Unit IV: The French Revolution

The Old Regime Old Regime: A social classification (estates) of France before the revolution. I. First Estate- clergy (Church officials) made up 1% of the total population II. Second Estate- aristocracy and nobility made up 2% of the total population III. Third Estate- combined three lower classes that made up 97% of the population A. Bourgeoisie-merchants, lawyers, doctors.

B. Laborers and artisan C. Peasants- poor people

Causes of French Revolution 1. Growth of the French population left many people in the major cities hungry and homeless. 2. Inflation- many people in France could not pay their rent, or feed their family. 3. Shortage of food in 1788 (drought), drove the food prices up. 4. No representation in government (Enlightenment ideas had spread) 5. No social mobility

The Estates-General Louis XVI called upon the Estates General to solve the nations financial problems. Louis XVI called upon the Estates General to solve the nations financial problems. The Third Estate proclaimed itself the National Assembly, because they represented the majority of the people. (First act of the French Revolution) The Third Estate proclaimed itself the National Assembly, because they represented the majority of the people. (First act of the French Revolution)

The Tennis Court Oath The representatives made a pledge that they would not adjourn until a constitution for France was adopted. The representatives made a pledge that they would not adjourn until a constitution for France was adopted.

Storming of the Bastille July 14, 1789 people of Paris took the prison by force looking for weapons to defend themselves. (This date is France’s independence day) July 14, 1789 people of Paris took the prison by force looking for weapons to defend themselves. (This date is France’s independence day)

The Bastille Today

“The Great Fear” National Guard- General Lafayette formed a militia army to defend the people of Paris from Louis XVI military National Guard- General Lafayette formed a militia army to defend the people of Paris from Louis XVI military People across France were afraid that nobles were planning to crush the rebellion and the revolution which became known as the “GREAT FEAR” People across France were afraid that nobles were planning to crush the rebellion and the revolution which became known as the “GREAT FEAR”

Declaration of the Rights of Man The National Assembly writes a document that addresses human rights and political power. The National Assembly writes a document that addresses human rights and political power. –Freedom of Religion, Speech, and Press –All men have the right to hold public office –Right to a fair trial Emigres- nobles that fled France for safety Sans-Culottes- Patriots of the Revolution

March on Versailles (Oct. 5, 1789) Women in Paris marched to Versailles to bring back the King by force to Paris. Women in Paris marched to Versailles to bring back the King by force to Paris. –Two Reasons  To Keep a watchful eye on the Royal Family  To demand more food in the city

The Constitution of 1791 The National Assembly wrote a Constitution that limited the authority of the king and divided the government into three branches. The National Assembly wrote a Constitution that limited the authority of the king and divided the government into three branches. The National Assembly was dissolved and the Legislative Assembly was formed. The National Assembly was dissolved and the Legislative Assembly was formed. –Law making body of France and male tax paying citizens would vote for them.

Radical, Liberal, Moderates Conservatives- a group of legislatures that felt the revolution had gone far enough. Thought to have constitutional monarchy. (limited authority of the king) Conservatives- a group of legislatures that felt the revolution had gone far enough. Thought to have constitutional monarchy. (limited authority of the king) Radicals- a group that wanted more drastic changes than those proposed. They wanted to get rid of the King and establish a republic. Radicals- a group that wanted more drastic changes than those proposed. They wanted to get rid of the King and establish a republic. Moderates- group who had no extreme measures. They would agree with either side depending on the issue Moderates- group who had no extreme measures. They would agree with either side depending on the issue

Political Spectrum Left Middle Right (Radicals)(Moderates) (Conservatives)

Foreign Wars Marie-Antoinette’s brother (Leopold II), king of Austria declared war on French Revolutionaries. Marie-Antoinette’s brother (Leopold II), king of Austria declared war on French Revolutionaries. Discussion Question? Discussion Question? Why would foreign countries care about a revolution in France? Answer- Because they would be afraid that if it was successful then it could spread to their country. Answer- Because they would be afraid that if it was successful then it could spread to their country.

A New Constitution Fear that the King (Louis XVI) was aiding the Prussians and Austrians to overthrow France the Legislative Assembly abolish the monarchy. Fear that the King (Louis XVI) was aiding the Prussians and Austrians to overthrow France the Legislative Assembly abolish the monarchy. Establish a new constitution (government) called the National Convention. Establish a new constitution (government) called the National Convention. Universal manhood suffrage- every adult male could vote, whether he owned property or not. Universal manhood suffrage- every adult male could vote, whether he owned property or not.

Parties of the National Convention Girondin- Republicans from the southwestern part of France Girondin- Republicans from the southwestern part of France Jacobins-Republicans who favored domination of Paris. Jacobins-Republicans who favored domination of Paris. –Georges-Jacques Danton and Maximillien Robespierre-were the two most powerful members of the party. –Jean Paul Marat- leader of the radicals

RobespierreDanton

Jean Paul Marat

Death of a King January 21, 1793 Louis XVI was guillotined for treason January 21, 1793 Louis XVI was guillotined for treason

Works of the National Convention Committee of Public Safety- established to crush the invading armies to stop the revolution Committee of Public Safety- established to crush the invading armies to stop the revolution –Adopted Conscription (the draft), all unmarried men between 18 and 45 were subject to military service.

Reign of Terror Widespread fear of putting down the opposition of the Revolution through means of the Guillotine. Widespread fear of putting down the opposition of the Revolution through means of the Guillotine.

Death of Robespierre A sigh of relief came when Robespierre was dead. (July 28, 1794) A sigh of relief came when Robespierre was dead. (July 28, 1794) The end of the Reign of Terror The end of the Reign of Terror

The Directory 1795 the National Convention created another Constitution the National Convention created another Constitution. Included a 2 house legislature Included a 2 house legislature –500 members of the lower house proposed the laws –250 members of the upper house accepted or rejected the laws –Upper House selected the 5 members of the Executive Branch. –VERY UNSUCCESSFUL

Napoleon Bonaparte Corsican General who won many battles for France. Corsican General who won many battles for France. Became a French war hero. Became a French war hero. Napoleon’s followers developed a plan to overthrow the government with the military. Coup d’ etat. Napoleon’s followers developed a plan to overthrow the government with the military. Coup d’ etat.

The Consulate Napoleon reorganized and centralized the government to give himself unlimited power. Napoleon reorganized and centralized the government to give himself unlimited power. Developed three consuls to the head the government and made himself First Consul. Developed three consuls to the head the government and made himself First Consul. Put the government to a vote, called a plebiscite, where the citizens could only vote yes or no. Put the government to a vote, called a plebiscite, where the citizens could only vote yes or no.

Napoleon the Emperor Napoleon made himself emperor of France. Napoleon made himself emperor of France. He established the Napoleonic Code. He established the Napoleonic Code. –Recognized that all men were equal before the law. –Guaranteed freedom of religion and the right for a person to work in any occupation.

The Continental System Napoleon conquered all of Europe except Great Britain. Napoleon conquered all of Europe except Great Britain. Ordered all countries not to trade with Great Britain (blockade) in order to weaken the country. Ordered all countries not to trade with Great Britain (blockade) in order to weaken the country. The Plan backfired! Instead inflation rose rapidly throughout Europe. The Plan backfired! Instead inflation rose rapidly throughout Europe.

The Napoleonic Empire ( )

Downfall of Napoleon’s Empire Nationalism- A sense of pride for ones own country, customs, and traditions. Nationalism- A sense of pride for ones own country, customs, and traditions. Countries began to rebel under Napoleon’s Empire. They wanted to install their own government; but Napoleon’s army was too strong. Countries began to rebel under Napoleon’s Empire. They wanted to install their own government; but Napoleon’s army was too strong. Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812 with 600,000 men. (Largest army ever assembled in Europe) Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812 with 600,000 men. (Largest army ever assembled in Europe) Russians used Scorched Earth Policy- Russians used Scorched Earth Policy- –burn everything as you retreat.

Napoleon Abdicates With an alliance of Prussia, Russia, and Great Britain Napoleon is defeated. With an alliance of Prussia, Russia, and Great Britain Napoleon is defeated. Sent to exile on the island of Elba. Sent to exile on the island of Elba. Louis XVIII (brother of Louis XVI) was installed as the king of France by the allies. Louis XVIII (brother of Louis XVI) was installed as the king of France by the allies. Napoleon learned of the discontent within the government and in France; he escapes back to France. Napoleon learned of the discontent within the government and in France; he escapes back to France.

The Hundred Days The time period when Napoleon came back to rule France is known as The Hundred Days. The time period when Napoleon came back to rule France is known as The Hundred Days. An Alliance formed quickly (Prussia, Great Britain, Russia, and the Netherlands) met Napoleon’s army at Waterloo. An Alliance formed quickly (Prussia, Great Britain, Russia, and the Netherlands) met Napoleon’s army at Waterloo. After his defeat the allies sent Napoleon to St. Helena in the South Atlantic. After his defeat the allies sent Napoleon to St. Helena in the South Atlantic.

The Congress of Vienna Hundreds of delegates from European countries met at Vienna, Austria, to discuss the future of Europe. Hundreds of delegates from European countries met at Vienna, Austria, to discuss the future of Europe. Three purposes: Three purposes: 1. Retribution to the countries that had suffered under Napoleon. 2. Balance of Power had to be restored in Europe. 3. All former kings would be placed back on the throne (legitimacy)

Congress of Vienna, 1815

The Age of Metternich Prince of Austria that believed in Absolutism Prince of Austria that believed in Absolutism To prevent liberals from spreading ideas he: To prevent liberals from spreading ideas he: 1. abolished freedom of speech 2.established a Central Investigating Commission to spy on revolutionary organizations.