The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1

The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1Click the icon to play Listen to History audio.

Click the icon below to connect to the Interactive Maps.

The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1

Reading Focus • What caused the French Revolution?• What happened during the first events of the Revolution?• How did the French create a new nation?

Main Idea Problems in French society led to a revolution, the formation of a new government, and the end of the monarchy.

The Revolution Begins

The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1Causes of the Revolution

Long-standing resentments against the monarchy

• Inequalities in society– Existing social and political

structure– Called the Estates-General or

ancient régime • King at the top and estates under

him – King Louis XVI, shy and

indecisive – Unpopular, self-indulgent queen,

Marie-Antoinette– Rest of French society divided

into three classes, called estates

The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1

Varied widely in what they contributed in terms of work and taxes

•Roman Catholic clergy•One percent of the population

•Exempt from taxes•Owned 10 percent of the property– Collected rents and

fees– Bishops and other

clergy grew wealthy

First Estate•Nobility•Less than 2 percent of the population

•Paid few taxes•Controlled much wealth•Held key positions

– Government– Military

•Lived on country estates

Second Estate•Largest group—97% of the population

•Bourgeoisie—city-dwelling merchants, factory owners, and professionals

•Sans-culottes—artisans and workers

•Peasants—poor with little hope, paid rents and fees

Third Estate

The Three Estates

The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1

Before the French RevolutionThe Political and Social Organization

The King and Family The Three Estates

The First Estate: Clergy

The Second Estate: Nobility

The Third Estate: bourgeoisie, professionals, workers

The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1

• Severe economic problems affected much of the country

• France in debt, spending lavishly, borrowing money, and facing bankruptcy

• Hailstorm and drought ruined harvest; harsh winter limited flour production

• People hungry and angry; clergy and nobility no help

A Financial Crisis

• Inspiring new ideas from Enlightenment philosophers

• Great Britain’s government limiting the king’s power

• American colonists rebelled successfully against British king

• New ideas changed government and society in other countries

Enlightenment IdeasFurther Causes

The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1

The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1

By 1789, no group happy• Clergy and nobility lost power to

king• Bourgeoisie resented

regulations• Poor worse off

Storming of the Bastille• King brought in military• People of Paris armed

themselves• Searching for weapons, a mob

stormed the Bastille

Estates General meets • Desire for reforms• Voting process a problem• Third Estate proclaimed

themselves National Assembly• Tennis Court Oath

First Events of the Revolution

The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1

• Louis tried to protect his throne• Angered the common people• Prices still high; mob broke into

the palace demanding bread• Royal family seized; National

Assembly took bolder steps• Passed laws against the

church, clergy, and public employees

• Some outraged by actions

Restrictions on Power• Feudal dues eliminated• Declaration laid out “liberty,

equality, brotherhood”• Inspired by the English Bill of

Rights, American Declaration of Independence, and the writings of Enlightenment philosophers

• Men are born equal and remain equal under the law

• The rights did not extend to women

Legislating New RightsCreating a New Nation

The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1

French revolutionary troops won the Battle of Valmy. New French republic held ground against Europe’s Old Order.

In 1791, the Legislative Assembly is formed. Citizens gained broad voting rights, but rights were not universal. Constitution restricted power of king and ended distinctions of birth. King and queen feared they would be harmed.

• Austria and Prussia warned against harming monarchs

• Austrian army defeats French• Financial strain of war, food

shortages, and high prices • King blamed; action demanded

Foreign Powers

Formation of a New Government

• August 10, 1792 royal family seized by mob

• Radical faction took charge with National Convention

• Monarchy abolished; France declared a republic

End of Monarchy