The Count of Monte Cristo The Count of Monte Cristo is a disguise and justice novel with a romantic twist. The historical events serve as a backdrop to the development of the story. It is important to understand the history in which this takes place. The Count of Monte Cristo is a disguise and justice novel with a romantic twist. The historical events serve as a backdrop to the development of the story. It is important to understand the history in which this takes place. The romantic tale of revenge takes place during one of the most turbulent times in European history, the French Revolution. The romantic tale of revenge takes place during one of the most turbulent times in European history, the French Revolution.

Background cont. The novel opens in the middle of Napoleon Bonaparte’s imprisonment on the Isle of Elba and the main character, Edmond Dantes, is considered a political prisoner. The novel opens in the middle of Napoleon Bonaparte’s imprisonment on the Isle of Elba and the main character, Edmond Dantes, is considered a political prisoner. The historical notes begin with the early 1700’s and take you through Napoleon’s reign. The historical notes begin with the early 1700’s and take you through Napoleon’s reign.

The French Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte ’s—Much economic prosperity and population growth ’s—Much economic prosperity and population growth Social Order-Old Regime and Three Estates Social Order-Old Regime and Three Estates 1st Estate: the clergy (1% not taxed) 1st Estate: the clergy (1% not taxed) 2 nd Estate: the nobility (2 % not taxed) 2 nd Estate: the nobility (2 % not taxed) 3 rd Estate: the bourgeoise (merchants/professionals), laborers and peasants (97% taxed) 3 rd Estate: the bourgeoise (merchants/professionals), laborers and peasants (97% taxed) King Louis XIV and Louis XV almost ruin the country financially!!!! King Louis XIV and Louis XV almost ruin the country financially!!!!

Continued 1780-banks refuse new loans for the kings; kings raise taxes banks refuse new loans for the kings; kings raise taxes. July 14, 1789 Bastille Day: revolutionaries storm the Bastille prison in search of weapons- Chaos breaks out all over the country. July 14, 1789 Bastille Day: revolutionaries storm the Bastille prison in search of weapons- Chaos breaks out all over the country. Aug. 27, 1789: Publication of the Declaration of the Rights of Man Aug. 27, 1789: Publication of the Declaration of the Rights of Man Slogans for the French Revolution: “Liberty/equality” Slogans for the French Revolution: “Liberty/equality”

1791: Nat’l Assembly completes the Constitution and establishes 3 branches: 1791: Nat’l Assembly completes the Constitution and establishes 3 branches: Executive Executive Legislative Legislative Judicial Judicial July : King and family try to flee the country but are caught. Louis remains king. France is invaded by Austrian and Prussian troops.

August 10, 1792: King is arrested and monarch suspended—new Constitution is written August 10, 1792: King is arrested and monarch suspended—new Constitution is written September 1792: Nat’l Convention establishes France as a republic. September 1792: Nat’l Convention establishes France as a republic. January 21, 1793: King Louis XVI is guillotined- the world is shocked. January 21, 1793: King Louis XVI is guillotined- the world is shocked. Sept 1793-July 1794: Reign of Terror to squelch all oppositions begins under Robespierre- Quick trials/executions (mainly on suspicion) Sept 1793-July 1794: Reign of Terror to squelch all oppositions begins under Robespierre- Quick trials/executions (mainly on suspicion)

Robespierre put to death/ends Reign of Terror. Robespierre put to death/ends Reign of Terror : Napoleon catches public attention for military genius : Napoleon catches public attention for military genius : NAPOLEONIC ERA : NAPOLEONIC ERA 1799: Napoleon “Little General” troops take control of legislature; he sets himself up as a dictator. 1799: Napoleon “Little General” troops take control of legislature; he sets himself up as a dictator. 1804: People vote to declare France and empire and Napoleon the emperor.—it failed because the conquered people did not have pride in France. 1804: People vote to declare France and empire and Napoleon the emperor.—it failed because the conquered people did not have pride in France.

1805: British form a new Coalition with other countries to fight Napoleon’s campaign to conquer Europe. 1805: British form a new Coalition with other countries to fight Napoleon’s campaign to conquer Europe. 1812: War against Russia 1812: War against Russia 1814: New European alliance crushes Napoleon and send him to the Isle of Elba—but eventually escapes on March 1. Louis XVII named king. 1814: New European alliance crushes Napoleon and send him to the Isle of Elba—but eventually escapes on March 1. Louis XVII named king. March : Napoleon’s Hundred Days of Reign while Prussia, Britain, and Netherlands combine armies to fight Napoleon. March : Napoleon’s Hundred Days of Reign while Prussia, Britain, and Netherlands combine armies to fight Napoleon. June : Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo- he is sent to St Helena and remained there until his death. June : Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo- he is sent to St Helena and remained there until his death. March 1-he 1821: Napoleon dies March 1-he 1821: Napoleon dies