1. The French Revolution and Napoleon

2. I. Beginning of Revolution
Throughout the Middle Ages, people of France divided into three estates, or social classes
First estate – clergy, owned 10% of land, paid very few taxes
Second estate – nobles, owned 20% of land, paid almost no taxes
Third estate – everyone else, broken into three groups
Bourgeoisie – bankers, business owners, merchants – paid high taxes
Urban workers – low wages, high taxes
Peasants – half of income paid to various taxes
The King oversaw/controlled everything
Enlightenment ideas forced change
Scholars called for changes in government, religion, economy
Rousseau, Voltaire – fathers of French Revolution

3. I. continued… Economic problems further ideas of revolution
CHALLENGE QUESTION!
Economic problems further ideas of revolution
High taxes = no profits for middle class
Crop failures = food shortages, high prices for peasant class
Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were big spenders
France was deep in debt
Third Estate revolts
Began at meeting of Estates-General – assembly of Estate representatives
3rd Estate called for reform, end of absolute monarchy
Formed National Assembly, pledged Tennis Court Oath – draw up new constitution, limit power of monarchy
Storming of Bastille (July 14, 1789) – signified beginning of Revolution

4. I. continued… Great Fear
Peasants afraid of retaliation by king and nobles
Stormed/destroyed nobles’ homes
Riots over price of bread

5. II. Revolution In Full Force
Declaration of the Rights of Man
“men are born and remain free and equal in rights”
“liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression”
Revolutionary ideas did not apply to women
Reforms
Catholic church under state control
Devout Catholic peasants opposed these reforms
New Constitution
Limited power of king
Created new legislative body – Legislative Assembly
Create laws, approve war
Disagreements created factions, disorganization

6. II. Continued… Reign of Terror
Maximilien Robespierre slowly gained control in chaos following fall of monarchy, war with Prussia
Set out to erase traces of France’s medieval past
Closed all churches in Paris, remade calendar (no Sundays)
Period of rule called “Reign of Terror”
Eliminated all “enemies of terror”
Extensive use of the guillotine – 40,000 people executed
peasants, nobles, clergy alike
Was beheaded in 1794 after members of own government feared for their lives

7. EXIT TICKET! Answer the following questions, using complete sentences:
What were the three estates in France during the Middle Ages? Describe them.
Why were people upset in France right before the Revolution? Describe two reasons.
What reforms took place after the Revolution? Describe two examples.

8. III. Rise and Fall of Napoleon I
Napoleon Bonaparte – brilliant military leader, rose quickly up the ranks
Led French forces during war with Prussia
Seized power during period of uncertainty in French government, after Reign of Terror ended
Coup d'état – “blow to the state”, suddenly seized government through military
People of France were desperate for leadership
Voted overwhelmingly to give all power to Napoleon
Kept many revolutionary reforms, while creating powerful, authoritative government
Promoted law and order, but allowed religious freedom, more social equality
Established extensive higher education system to train officials

9. III. Continued… Power hungry Battle of Waterloo (1815)
Crowned himself Holy Roman Emperor
Sought to unite Europe under his leadership
Battle of Waterloo (1815)
After his initial defeat and return, British and Prussian forces ended Napoleon’s reign for good
Died in exile, on the island of Corsica, in 1821

10. IV. Fallout of French Revolution & Napoleon
Congress of Vienna
Members of other European nations gathered to discuss aftermath of Napoleon and restoring balance of power
A king (Louis XVIII) was placed in charge of France
France lost most of its international power, while Britain’s increased
Rise of political factions – conservatives (old ways), liberals (some changes), radicals (ALL THE CHANGES!)
Nationalism spreads
Ideas of nationalism (having great pride in ones own nation, based on shared culture, race, ethnicity) spread throughout Europe
Societies united in defense against Napoleon
Laid foundations for other revolutions and reforms throughout Europe, later world

11. EXIT TICKET! Answer the following questions using complete sentences:
How did Napoleon take control of France?
Describe one change that took place under Napoleon’s leadership.
What was one impact of the Congress of Vienna?
What is nationalism?

12. CHALLENGE QUESTION!
Answer the following question, using complete sentences:
What would make you start a revolution? Describe 3-4 things that you think are serious/important enough to rise up and call for change.
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