1. The French Revolution and Napoleon

2. I. Beginning of Revolution
Until late 1700s, 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
Enlightenment ideas force change
Thinkers called for changes in government, religion, economy
Rousseau, Voltaire – fathers of French Revolution

3. I. continued… 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 three Estate reps
Called for reform, end of absolute monarchy
Formed National Assembly, pledged Tennis Court Oath – draw up new constitution
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 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
Beheaded in 1794 after members of own government feared for their lives

7. 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
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

8. III. Continued… Power hungry Crowned himself Holy Roman Emperor
Sought to unite Europe under his leadership

9. III. Continued… Defeat and defeat again
Napoleon eventually spread his forces too thin
Britain, Prussia and Russia forced Napoleon to surrender after a number of defeats
Exiled to island – Elba – off of Italy
Louis XVIII assumed throne, but was extremely unpopular
Napoleon escaped, reclaimed throne, welcomed as hero
Final defeat at Battle of Waterloo (1815)
2nd period of power known as Hundred Days
Died in exile 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
Many wanted to return to old ways, but seeds of change had been planted
France lost most of its power, while Britain’s increased
Rise of political factions – conservatives, liberals, radicals
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. Wrap-up What were the main reasons for the French Revolution?
What long-term impact(s) did the French Revolution and Napoleon have on Europe and the world?