Revolution in France…Over and Over and Over Again… Nationalism Unit Chapter 15, Section 3 Notes

The French Flu “When France sneezes, Europe catches cold.” –Prince Metternich of Austria “When France sneezes, Europe catches cold.” –Prince Metternich of Austria What do you think this means? What do you think this means? Answer: When France tries to extend their power or goes through problems, the rest of Europe is negatively affected Answer: When France tries to extend their power or goes through problems, the rest of Europe is negatively affected Think back to Napoleon—when he took over France, he successfully conquered much of Europe…of course this hurt Europe Think back to Napoleon—when he took over France, he successfully conquered much of Europe…of course this hurt Europe Then Napoleon was conquered and King Louis XVIII was placed on the throne (yes, that’s the same family from before the French Revolution—Kings Louis XV and XVI) Then Napoleon was conquered and King Louis XVIII was placed on the throne (yes, that’s the same family from before the French Revolution—Kings Louis XV and XVI)

The French Flu When King Louis XVIII died in 1824, King Charles X of France took over When King Louis XVIII died in 1824, King Charles X of France took over –He believed in absolutism (meaning kings should have all power) –In July 1830, he suspended legislature, limited the right to vote and restricted the press These choices led to the king getting forced out by the people in 1830 These choices led to the king getting forced out by the people in 1830 However, someone needed to rule…who would it be? However, someone needed to rule…who would it be? Those with the most power in France still wanted a king—since it had worked so well before—so Louis-Philippe (known as the “Citizen King”) was put on the throne Those with the most power in France still wanted a king—since it had worked so well before—so Louis-Philippe (known as the “Citizen King”) was put on the throne –Most of his laws helped the upper middle class –Landowners held most of the power –Labor unions were illegal (helped industrialists; hurt workers/peasants) Louis-Philippe ruled from 1830-February 1848 until… Louis-Philippe ruled from 1830-February 1848 until…

The Downfall of Louis-Phillippe In 1848, the French were mad AGAIN and fought amongst themselves AGAIN… In 1848, the French were mad AGAIN and fought amongst themselves AGAIN… …it’s who they are—it’s what they do… …it’s who they are—it’s what they do… A recession really hurt the French economy in 1848, shutting down factories and losing jobs A recession really hurt the French economy in 1848, shutting down factories and losing jobs Poor harvests  bread prices going up Poor harvests  bread prices going up During the “February Days” the government took steps to silence critics of the gov’t and prevent public meetings During the “February Days” the government took steps to silence critics of the gov’t and prevent public meetings As free speech was limited, crowds formed and rioted As free speech was limited, crowds formed and rioted When several demonstrators were killed by royal troops, most of these National Guardsmen joined the rioters When several demonstrators were killed by royal troops, most of these National Guardsmen joined the rioters As turmoil spread, King Louis Philippe quit As turmoil spread, King Louis Philippe quit Liberal, radical, and social leaders proclaimed the Second Republic of France but (AGAIN!) were very divided as to how to run the gov’t Liberal, radical, and social leaders proclaimed the Second Republic of France but (AGAIN!) were very divided as to how to run the gov’t

SURPRISE! It’s a Revolution! By June 1848, the upper-and middle-class interests won control of the gov’t By June 1848, the upper-and middle-class interests won control of the gov’t The upper class Conservatives and middle class Conservatives showed their power by shutting down national workshops (they weren’t all socialists, but there was a socialist element to them) The upper class Conservatives and middle class Conservatives showed their power by shutting down national workshops (they weren’t all socialists, but there was a socialist element to them) This led to the coolest war chant ever by the furious workers, “Bread or Lead!” This led to the coolest war chant ever by the furious workers, “Bread or Lead!” Unfortunately they got lead. Unfortunately they got lead. The bourgeoisie liberals violently turned against the protesters The bourgeoisie liberals violently turned against the protesters At the same time, peasants feared French socialists might take their land and attacked the same rioting workers At the same time, peasants feared French socialists might take their land and attacked the same rioting workers The French National Army was called in and at least 15,000 people were killed before the rebellion was crushed The French National Army was called in and at least 15,000 people were killed before the rebellion was crushed This led to the middle class both fearing and distrusting the socialists (Karl Marx was banned from France); the working class hated the bourgeoisie…France was in trouble…again… This led to the middle class both fearing and distrusting the socialists (Karl Marx was banned from France); the working class hated the bourgeoisie…France was in trouble…again…

Louis-Napoleon Emerges Louis-Napoleon took hold as president by the end of 1848 after another new constitution was written, including a one-term president and a 1 house legislature Louis-Napoleon took hold as president by the end of 1848 after another new constitution was written, including a one-term president and a 1 house legislature All adult men in France could now vote (9 million vs. 200,000 before) All adult men in France could now vote (9 million vs. 200,000 before) However, France is never normal—Louis-Napoleon wanted to be emperor However, France is never normal—Louis-Napoleon wanted to be emperor Louis-Napoleon used a plebiscite (a yes-or-no vote on his actions) to try to win public approval of him becoming emperor Louis-Napoleon used a plebiscite (a yes-or-no vote on his actions) to try to win public approval of him becoming emperor Since kings and emperors had worked so well for France in the past (yes, that’s sarcasm), 90% of the people supported his move to emperor Since kings and emperors had worked so well for France in the past (yes, that’s sarcasm), 90% of the people supported his move to emperor Louis Napoleon gains more power as time goes on and names himself emperor as Napoleon III in 1852 Louis Napoleon gains more power as time goes on and names himself emperor as Napoleon III in 1852 His reign was marked by a strong economy but a poor foreign policy His reign was marked by a strong economy but a poor foreign policy

Your Turn… Rows 1 and 2: describe in 2 sentences or less what happened to France in the Crimean War (and be ready to discuss it)—p. 425 Rows 1 and 2: describe in 2 sentences or less what happened to France in the Crimean War (and be ready to discuss it)—p. 425 Row 3: describe in 2 sentences or less Louis- Napoleon’s approach to North Africa (and be ready to discuss it)—p. 425 Row 3: describe in 2 sentences or less Louis- Napoleon’s approach to North Africa (and be ready to discuss it)—p. 425 Rows 4 and 5: describe in 2 sentences or less what happened to France in the Franco-Prussian War (and be ready to discuss it)—p. 426 Rows 4 and 5: describe in 2 sentences or less what happened to France in the Franco-Prussian War (and be ready to discuss it)—p. 426