1. Mr. White’s World History Class
A New Age Dawns
Mr. White’s World History Class

2. Big Questions
After we have finished this section, we should be able to:
Explain how European monarchs reacted to what was happening to Louis XVI
Explain how the French government reacted to different challenges
Explain how the French revolution introduced constitutional republics to Europe

3. Louis and Marie Antoinette
After watching Louis and Marie Antoinette being imprisoned by revolutionaries, German and Austrian monarchs were a little worried
Louis had accepted the limited powers offered by the National Assembly, but knew he was still in trouble
Suspecting that Austria would try to reinstate Louis XVI, France declared war on Austria

4. War! War threw France into upheaval
Paris crowds attacked the king’s palace and killed royal guards
Mobs killed and imprisoned nobles and priests accused of political crimes
Radicals took over the National Assembly

5. Constitutional Republic
A new National Convention met to draft a constitution for the formation of a new government – the king was out
Single national legislature
All men could vote – no property qualifications
New calendar adopted
New system of measurement, the metric system, adopted

6. What about Louis?
The National Convention had to figure out what to do with Louis XVI
Radicals used some of Louis’ letters to other European monarchs to discredit him, look like he was plotting against the people of France
December, 1792 – Louis is tried and found guilty of having “conspired against the liberty of the nation.”
Executed by the guillotine

7. Jacobins and Girondists
Citizens of Paris had much enthusiasm for France becoming a republic – a democratic country with no king
Debate over the country’s future raged in the National Convention
Jacobins – believed in radical change and, felt they were the voice of the people
Girondists – moderates who thought the revolution had gone far enough, wanted to protect the middle class
Over time, support moved toward the Jacobins

8. Reaction from the rest of Europe
European monarchs feared that democratic revolutions would spread and put them in danger – formed alliances against the French
The French armies worked to expand the borders of the nation to its natural boundaries, but suffered military defeats from other nations
The French used conscription of male citizens to get enough soldiers to protect the country

9. Beginning of the Reign of Terror
The Jacobins and Girondists didn’t get along – Jacobins accused Girondists of trying to bring back the king, took over the National Convention
Decided that they would crush all opposition as brutally as necessary
This would be known as the Reign of Terror

10. Terror!
Neighborhood watch committees hunted down suspected traitors and turned them over to the courts
False statements by neighbors
Swift trials and harsh sentences
About 40,000 people killed
Committee of Public Safety ruled France – Maximilien Robespierre ruled the committee

11. Maximilien Robespierre
As France recovered in its war with Austria, some called for an end to the Reign of Terror – danger had passed
Robespierre accused them of treason and had them sent to the guillotine
Other leaders then turned against Robespierre and had him executed
Jacobins lose power, Terror comes to an end

12. More Changes Convention continued to govern, wrote a new constitution
Made property qualifications for voters
Set up an executive council of directors – the Directory
Directory had to put down rebellions by royalists and radicals
Directory did very little to resolve the grown gap between rich and poor
Directory looked inept and incapable

13. The French Army and Napoleon
French army was winning victories in the war with European monarchies
Napoleon Bonaparte was a very capable French military leader
Quick promotion, general at 26
Improved conditions for the French army as general
Defeated the Austrians and won most of northern Italy

14. Emperor of France Napoleon, with huge popularity, then made his move
After fighting in Egypt against Egyptians and the British, Napoleon returned to France
In October of 1799, Napoleon and other leaders seized government power from the Directory
Napoleon would soon be emperor of France