1. Enlightenment Application #3
The French revolution
Enlightenment Application #3

2. The french revolution
Absolutism and the Ancien Regime Lead-up to the Revolution The Moderate Phase The Radical Phase

3. Absolutism & the ancien regime
While France’s substantial colonies had shrunk during the 7 Years’ War and the rule of Louis XV, it was relatively well- off as Louis XVI took over. Arts flourished, the military was strong, and Paris was the ‘cultural capital’ of the world.
It seemed as though France’s strength was due, in part, to the absolute monarchy that ruled it.
In reality, the large population, able to support the army and navy, was also agriculturally self-supporting.

4. Absolutism & the ancien regime
Local governments passed little of the tax they collected onto the crown, which was responsible for paying for the military.
Successive kings borrowed to maintain their armies and standards of living, which was apparent during times of crisis (think Charles I of England trying to fight in 30 Years War without money).

5. Absolutism & the ancien regime
Nearly all laws, taxes, rights and privileges were unequally distributed by social class.
The growing middle class demanded a greater say and the peasant class was often facing starvation.
Louis XVI faced governing a nation far too large for an absolute monarch and an entrenched social structure that benefitted the few.

6. Absolutism & the ancien regime
The Estate Structure
1st Estate: R. Cath. clergy; very powerful
2nd Estate: Nobility / hereditary aristocracy; some still feudal lords.
3rd Estate: other 98% of population; commoners from peasants to middle class.
The Estates-General was a theoretical parliament where representatives from each estate could meet at the king’s request. It had not met since 1615; absolute monarchs like Louis XIII-XVI couldn’t be bothered.

7. Lead-up to the Revolution: Read pages 61-65, answering # 8 – 15 as you go.

8. Revolution: The moderate phase
Founding Documents of the Revolution:
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizens: passed by National Assembly in October 1789.
It states the goal of revolution and intentions to form a constitution. Stated a number of rights and ideals in keeping with Enlightenment thought and the American Dec. of Independence

9. Revolution: The moderate phase
Founding Documents of the Revolution:
The Constitution of 1791 (same year as Constitution Act in Canada!):
Established a constitutional monarchy with many of the same checks, balances, and division of power found in the U.S. Constitution.
Equal taxation and access to social standing, various freedoms and voting rights for all employed males 25+.

10. Revolution: The moderate phase
The upper-middle class benefitted from the calculation of the franchise.
Peasants exchanged one landlord for another as the middle class took over.
English politician Edmund Burke attacked the Revolution which had upset the conservative customs and traditions that held society together; change should come slowly. Thomas Paine weighed in and, not surprisingly, supported the Revolution and the rights of ‘the living’ over those of ‘the dead’ (What does he mean?)

11. The rise of napoleon

12. His military leadership was an asset to the Directory (the cabinet).
napoleon
Corsica-born, became officer in French artillery (1785), then general (1793) in the revolutionary army.
His military leadership was an asset to the Directory (the cabinet).
He came to lead what became the most powerful army in Europe…
It was conscripted, and
Officers were promoted by merit, not birth

13. Napoleon comes to power
In 1799, the Directory was weak and the legislature was divided; meanwhile, Napoleon was winning military victories from Italy to Egypt.
He joined with revolutionary forces to overthrow the government as it was not ‘upholding’
the revolutionary ideals.
He was installed
as a ‘temporary’
leader.

14. From temporary to permanent
At first, Napoleon was ‘First Consul’ in the new French gov’t, the French Consulate; this was a highly centralized republican system. A new constitution gave him a 10-year term and legislative, executive and judicial powers. Though power was again centralized
in France, it was by popular support (a plebiscite in 1800 yielded 99.9% in favor of this system).
By 1802, he was consul for life; 1804, named himself hereditary emperor (absolute monarchy returns!)

15. reforms
Despite a return to absolutism, Napoleon was keen on implementing the ideals of his beloved Revolution:
Legal system updated to guarantee many rights/freedoms (called Napoleonic Code)
1802 – signs the Concordat with Pope Pius VII; church relinquished some land and the right to collect the tithe as a tax, but gov’t retains right to name bishops and pay the clergy (some separation of church/state)
Banking system also centralized and the gov’t budget balanced.

16. For homework
Using p , finish the last questions on the sheet (#33-36) for homework tomorrow.

17. Legacy of napoleon
Left the boundaries of European nations in shambles; even the Congress of Vienna would not return things to how they had been. (Border areas would become the source of major disputes in the next 2 centuries).
The idea of ‘liberal’ or nationalistic revolt had been spread across Europe. National identity was no longer vested solely in the monarch.
Despite reinstating the monarchy after the First Empire, the French retained many of the fundamental rights gained in the Revolution.

18. What the Revolution left behind: liberalism
Constitutional democracy
Free elections
Human rights
Capitalist economics
Freedom of religion

19. The Bourbons were restored to the French throne.
The congress of vienna
The Great Powers, Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria, which had allied to defeat Napoleon also joined in Vienna for 6 months of deliberations. France was allowed at the table.
They had a vested interest in quashing nationalism in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and elsewhere.
The Bourbons were restored to the French throne.

20. The congress of vienna
The Congress formed the first int’l approach to keeping the peace in Europe, known as the Congress System; an attack on any member was an attack on them all. This kept Europe in peace for much of the next 100 years.
This age is also known as the Age of Metternich. The conservative Prince Metternich of Austria organized the periodic Congress meetings to deal with liberal/national revolts in Europe. His diplomacy and foreign policy dominated Europe until the Revolutions of 1848.