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Chapter 3: The French Revolution and Napoleon

Learning Objectives:Compare the major ideas of

philosophers and their effects on the Democratic Revolutions in England, the United States, France and Latin America

Section 1: On the Eve of RevolutionKey Terms:

ancien regimeestatebourgeoisedeficit spendingLouis XVIJacques NeckerEstates-GeneralcahierTennis Court OathBastille

French Society DividedIn 1789, France still maintained an old

social class system or ancien regime (old order)

There were 3 social classes or estatesFirst estate – made up of clergySecond Estate- made up of nobilityThird Estate-made up of most people,

commoners

The Clergy Enjoy the Wealth

French clergy enjoyed wealth and privilegeOwned 10% of the land, collected tithes

(weekly collections) and paid no taxesHigh level clergy such as bishops and abbots

lived in comfortable dwellings and ate wellNuns, monks, and priests ran schools,

hospitals, and orphanagesEnlightenment philosophers targeted the

church for reform by criticizing the idleness of some clergy, its interference in politics, and its intolerance of difference

Church condemned the philosophers for undermining religion and moral order

Nobles Hold Top Government Jobs

Nobility held the top jobs in the government, the military, and the Church

Some nobility competed for royal appointments, some did nothing but entertain and be entertained, others lived in the countryside and received little financial income but did have a title

Many of the nobility resented the monarchy

Third Estate is Vastly Different

Third estate was split into 3 groupsBourgeoise, included bankers, merchants, manufacturers,

lawyers, doctors, journalists, and professorsMost of the third estate was rural peasants- some

owned land and employed others to work for them, or they were tenant farmers

Poorest members of the third estate-urban workers including apprentices, journeymen, painters, weavers, servants, stable hands, construction workers, street merchantsThis group resented all the priveleges of the upper groupsBarely made enough to buy bread, their main food

The 1st and 2nd estates paid no taxes, but peasants paid taxes on everything

Enlightenment ideas challenged people to question the inequities that existed

Financial TroublesFrance was experiencing financial troubles as a

result of years of deficit spending, when the government spends more money than it makes.

Financial troubles began with Louis XIV The Seven Year War and American Revolution

drained the French TreasuryTo bridge the gap between income and expenses,

French government borrowed more and more moneyBy 1789, half of the French income was spent on

paying the interest for the debt that it had accruedIn the late 1780’s poor harvests led to high food

prices and resulted in hungerTo fix the problems, government would need to

collect taxes from the 1st and 2nd estate

Economic Reform Fails Louis XV, who ruled from 1715-1774 pursued pleasure

before business and ran up even more debtLouis XVI was a weak and indecisive ruler

Chose Jacques Necker, a financial expert as his advisorNecker urged the King to reduce spending, reform

government, and reduce tariffs on internal tradingWhen Necker proposed taxing the first and second estate,

the nobles and clergy forced the king to dismiss himWealthy demanded that the king summon the Estates-

General, the legislative body consisting of representatives from each estate before enacting any reform

Some saw this as an opportunity to enact reforms and bring their king under their control

Louis XVI Calls the Estates-GeneralLouis XVI had all three estates prepare cahiers,

or notebooks listing their grievances Most common grievances were fairer taxes, freedom of the

press, and need for more frequent meetings of the Estates-General

The cahiers illustrated class resentmentsMembers of the 3rd estate were elected to the

Estates-General, most were Bourgeoise because only men owning property could vote

Many Bourgeoise were familiar with philosophers and went to the Estates-General wanting to enact reform

Estates-General met in June 1789From the beginning the Estates-General was

deadlocked over issues of votingTraditionally group s met separately and cast a group

vote. This meant that the third estate would always be outvoted 2 to 1

Third estate wanted voting done by individualsAfter weeks of stalemate, claiming to represent the

people of France, the Third Estate declared themselves to be the National Assembly

When the National Assembly attempted to meet, they found the meeting hall had been locked out

Delegates moved to a nearby indoor tennis court and took the famous tennis court oath Swore never to separate & to meet wherever the

circumstances might require until a sound and just constitution was written

Parisians Storm the Bastille

On July 14, 1789 more than 800 citizens of Paris assembled in front of the Bastille, a fortress used as a prison for political and other prisoners

Crowd demanded that the weapons and gunpowder they believed was stored there be turned over

Commander of the Bastille refused to open the gates and opened fire on the crowd

Crowd killed the commander and 5 soldiers and released many of the prisoners, but found no weapons

Bastille was a symbol of the French monarchyFrench celebrate Bastille Day as their national

independence day

Section 2: The French Revolution Unfolds

Learning Objectives:List the principals of the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, the American Declaration of Independence, the French Declaration of Rights of Man and the Citizen and the U.S. Bill of Rights

Explain how the ideology of the French Revolution led France to develop from constitutional monarchy to democratic despotism to the Napoleonic Empire

Key TermsfactionMarquis de LafayetteOlypme de GougesMarie AntoinetteÉmigrésans-culotterepublicJacobins

Political Crisis Leads to Revolt

Political crisis of 1789 coincided with the worst famine in memory

Food shortages led to increase in food prices, resulting in peasants spending 80% of income on bread

Rumors spread that the government was going to confiscate peasant’s crops

Peasants reacted by setting fire to records, and stealing grain from storehouses

Paris Commune Comes to PowerA variety of factions, or small groups of people

competed for powerMarquis de Lafayette was an aristocrat who

fought with George Washington in the American Revolution, led the moderates, a largely middle class groupWas the first group to wear the tricolor (red white

and blue badge later adopted as the French flag)Paris Commune was a radical group who

replaced the royalist government in the city and demanded an end to the monarchy

The National Assembly Acts

On August 4, nobility voted to end their own privileges including manorial dues, special hunting rights, and exemption from taxes

Although though nobles officially gave these privileges up, they had already lost them

Enacted the key enlightenment goal-equality for all male citizens before the law

Declaration of the Rights of ManWas modeled after the American Declaration of

IndependenceStated that all men were “born and remain free and

equal in rights” and that they enjoyed the rights to “liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression”

Constitution claimed that the government existed to protect the natural rights of citizens

Other freedoms: all male citizens were equal before the law, every Frenchman had the right to hold public office, freedom of religion, taxes levied according to the ability to pay

Declaration did not include women In 1791, Olympe De Gouges, a journalist, drafted the

Declaration of Rights of Woman and the Female CitizenWas arrested and executed

Women March on Versailles

On October 5th 6,000 women marched 13 miles in the pouring rain from Paris to Versailles

Demanded to see the king and were furious with Austrian born queen Marie Antoinette due to their lavish lifestyle while French people suffered and starved

Refused to leave Versailles until the king returned to France

King was marched to Paris with his wife and son

The National Assembly Presses OnwardNational Assembly continued to work to draft a

constitution and pay off the huge debtVoted to take over and sell lands owned by the

Catholic ChurchPut the French Catholic Church under state

controlBishops and priests became elected, salaries

officialsEnded Papal control over the French Catholic

ChurchDissolved convents and monastariesPope condemned all these actions…why?

The Constitution of 1791 Establishes a New Government

Set up a limited monarchy instead of an absolute monarchy.

New legislative assembly had the power to make laws, collect taxes, and decide on issues of war and peace

Lawmakers would now be elected by tax-paying male citizens over age 25

Old provinces were restructured into 83 “departments” of equal size

Lasting Effects of the new Constitution:Ensured equality before the law for all male citizensEnded church intervention into matters of

government

Louis’s Escape FailsMarie Antoinette and others urged the

king to escapeIn June 1791, a carriage rolled north from

Paris to the border, inside the king sat disguised as a servant, and the queen as a governess with the royal children

King was recognized and the family was seized and returned to Paris

Rulers Spread Fear of RevolutionEuropean rules increased patrol to stop the

spread of the French plagueWhat was the “French Plague?”

Fears were spread by emigres, nobles, clergy, and others who had fled France during the revolution Reported attacks on their property, loss of privileges, their

religion and even attacks on their lives

Even enlightened despots turned their back on France and the philosophersWhy

Threats Come From Abroad

In August 1791, King of Prussia, and emperor of Austria issued the Declaration of Pilnitz in which they threaten to intervene to protect the French Monarchy

Although it was a bluff, French revolutionaries began to prepare to war against the two countries

Radicals Fight for Power and Declare War

In October 1791 new Legislative Assembly took office

New currency Assignant dropped in value causing prices to rise rapidly

Food shortages erupted againIn Paris and other cities, Sans-Culottes, working

class men and women pushed the revolution to more radical action, demanded a republic, a government ruled by elected representatives instead of a monarch

The National Assemble Declares War on Tyranny

In 1792 Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria, Prussia, Britain and other states

Other countries expected to easily defeat France but were surprised when the fighting lasted until 1815.

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STAR Practice QuestionThe French Declaration of the Rights of

Man and the Citizen (1789) contained the idea that individual rights were:(a) Limited to property owners(b) Won by overthrowing monarchs(c) Given to all men at birth(d) Earned by participation in government

Answer:The declaration stated that all men were “born

and remain free and equal in rights” and that they enjoyed the rights to “liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression”Therefore

The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen (1789) contained the idea that individual rights were:(a) Limited to property owners(b) Won by overthrowing monarchs(c) Given to all men at birth(d) Earned by participation in government

Section 3: Radical Days of the Revolution

Learning Objectives for this section:

Compare the major ideas of philosophers and their effects on the Democratic Revolutions in England, the United States, France and Latin America

Explain how the ideology of the French Revolution led France to develop from constitutional monarchy to democratic despotism to the Napoleonic Empire

Key TermsSuffrageRobespierreReign of TerrorGuillotineNapoleonNationalismMarseilles

The Monarchy is AbolishedOn August 10, 1792 a crowd of Parisians stormed

the King’s castle and slaughtered the guardsOne month later, Parisians attacked the prisons

and killed nobles and priests accused of political crimes

Radicals took control of the assembly and called for a new election. Wanted suffrage (the right to vote) extended to all male citizens, not just male property owning citizensAbolished the monarchy & set up a republicDrew up a new ConstitutionSeized the lands of the nobles and abolished noble

titlesLouis XVI was put on trial as a traitor and beheadedQueen Marie Antoinette was also executed

The Convention Creates a New Committee

As neighboring countries threatened France (Britain, the Netherlands, Spain, and Prussia) the new Convention created a Committee of Public SafetyCommittee had almost absolute power to save the

revolutionIssued a mass levy (a levee en masse) or tax that

required all citizens to contribute to the war effort12 member committee was also in charge of all

trials and executionsEnthusiastic soldiers marched off to defend

France from foreign invaders, defeating the Netherlands, invading France and crushing peasant revolts at home

Robespierre “the Incorruptible”

Maximilien Robespierre rose to leadership in the Committee of Public Safety

Believed in Rousseau’s idea of general will as the source of legitimate law

Promoted religious tolerance and wanted to abolish slavery

Believed that France could achieve a “Republic of Virtue” only through the use of terror which he defined as prompt, severe, and inflexible justice

Claimed “liberty cannot be secured unless criminals lose their heads.”

Was the chief architect of the reign of terror which lasted from September 1793-July 1794 characterized by hasty trials and many executions

Reign of TerrorGreatest suspects were those who resisted the

revolution300,000 individuals were arrested and 17,000

were executedGuillotine was the primary means of execution

Developed by Dr. Joseph GuillotineCharacterized by a falling blade that killed

instantly by beheadingWas considered more humane than execution with

an axeBy July 27, 1794 the Convention turned on the

Committee for Public SafetyRobespierre was arrested and executed

The Revolution Enters its Third StageThird Stage moved away from radical excessivenessProduced a new constitution Appointed a 5 man Directory and a 2 house legislature

elected by male property owning citizensMiddle class and bourgeoisie were the dominant force

during this timeDuring this time, France made peace with Spain and

Prussia but continued war with Austria and Great Britain Food shortages and riots continued and feelings of

royalist feelings began to emerge againIn 1797, Supporters of the Constitutional Monarchy

resurfacedPoliticians turned to Napoleon Bonaparte a popular

military leader , as a potential leader

Revolution Brings ChangeBy 1799 the French Revolution had lasted 10

yearsThe Revolution had upset the old social order,

overthrown the monarchy, and brought the church under state control

French people had a strong sense of nationalism (strong feelings of pride and devotion to one’s own country)

Revolutionaries continued to push for social and religious tolerance

New systems were created to aid the poor, widowed, and old soldiers

STAR Practice QuestionWhat was one reason for the Reign of Terror

during the French Revolution?(a) the revolutionaries were unable to gain control of other European nations(b) the revolutionaries were unable to support wars of liberation in the colonies(c) The revolutionaries were unable to establish a successful stable government(d) The revolutionaries were unable to prevent to return to power of the nobility

Answer:What was one reason for the Reign of Terror

during the French Revolution?(a) the revolutionaries were unable to gain control of other European nations(b) the revolutionaries were unable to support wars of liberation in the colonies(c) The revolutionaries were unable to establish a successful stable government(d) The revolutionaries were unable to prevent to return to power of the nobility

Section 4: The Age of NapoleonLearning Objectives:

Explain how the ideology of the French Revolution led France to develop from constitutional monarchy to democratic despotism to the Napoleonic Empire

Discuss how nationalism spread across Europe with Napoleon but was repressed for a generation under the Congress of Vienna and Concert of Europe until the Revolution of 1848

Key Terms:PlebisciteNapoleonic CodeAnnexContinental SystemGuerrilla WarfareScorched-Earth PolicyAbdicateCongress of ViennaLegitimacyConcert of Europe

Napoleon Rises to PowerWas born in Corsica, a French ruled island in the

Mediterranean Was sent to France at age 9 for military trainingWhen the revolution began he as an ambitious

soldier of 20Favored Jacobin and republican rule but chose

sides based on the following philosophy…“ Since one must take sides, one might as well

choose the side that is victorious, the side which devastates, loots, and burns. Considering the alternative, it is better to eat than be eaten.”

Victories Cloud LosesNapoleon rose quickly through the ranks of the armyLed the French to a number of military victoriesWanted to disrupt British trade in India so he led an

expedition to Egypt but this was a disaster He hid this be censoring the press

In 1799 he moved into politics helping to overthrown the weak 5 person Directory and setting up a 3 person governing board known as the consulate

In 1802 he named himself Consulate for life In 1804 he named himself Emperor of FranceAt each stage of increasing power Napoleon held a

plebiscite, popular vote by ballot, and was supported by the French people

Napoleon Reforms FranceFocus of Napoleons reign was order, security,

efficiencyTo restore Economic prosperity Napoleon

controlled prices, encouraged new industry, and built roads and canals

Set up a system of public schoolsWorked to repair the relationship with the

Catholic ChurchRecognized the rights of peasants to own landOpened jobs to all based on talent not on titleDeveloped a new code of laws “Napoleonic

Code” which recognized the equality of all citizens , religious tolerance, and abolition of feudalism

Women were not recognized as citizens

Napoleon Builds an Empire From 1804 to 1812, Napoleon expanded his

empire by using rapid movements, making effective use of his large armies, and development of a new plan for each battle

Annexed, or added the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Italy and Germany to France

Controlled much of Europe through forceful diplomacy

Napoleon’s success boosted the French morale

Napoleon Strikes BritainBritain stayed outside Napoleon’s EmpireIn 1805 Napoleon prepared to invade FranceBritain’s navy defeated the FrenchSince Napoleon couldn’t defeat France militarily he

waged economic warfare through the continental systemFrance closed European ports to British goods (similar

to a boycott)Britain responded by its own blockadeBoth sides began seizing troops they believed were

trading with the other side, including American shipsContinental system failed to bring down Great Britain

b/c of its strong navyTrade restrictions however, did lead to scarcity of good

and as a result increasing prices

Nationalism Works Against NapoleonIn 1812, Napoleon invades Russia to expand his

empirePeople in conquered lands began to resent

Napoleon’s imposition of French culture on them

Feelings of nationalism began to unleash a series of revolts

Spain and Austria Battle the FrenchEven after being conquered by France and

Napoleon, many Spanish remained loyal to their king and the Spanish Catholic Church

When the Spanish resisted. The French responded with brutal force

Frances actions further inflamed Spanish nationalism

Spanish rebels began a campaign of Guerrilla Warfare, or his and run raids, against the French

Spanish efforts also encouraged Austrian hostilityFrance crushed Austrian resistance and annexed

some of its lands

The Russian Winter Stops the Grand Army

Tsar Alexander I and Napoleon had once been allies and planned to divide Europe up among the two

Tsar withdrew his support of Napoleon after Napoleon expanded his lands that bordered Russia and enacted the Continental System

Napoleon responded by creating an army of soldiers of 20 nations called the “Great Army” to invade Russia600,000 soldiers, 50,000 horses

To avoid battles with Napoleon, the Russians retreated eastward, burning crops and villages along the way: “Scorched-Earth Policy”French troops were starving as the winter approached

and were forced to retreatFewer than 20,000 soldiers of the Great Army survived

Napoleon Abdicates BrieflyIn 1814 following a series of defeats, Napoleon

briefly abdicates, or steps down from power and was exiled to Elba, an island in the Mediterranean

Recognized Louis XVIII as king of FranceAgreed to recognize the laws of the Napoleonic

Code and land settlements made during the revolution

Return of a king brought back many nobles to France

Fear by the masses rekindled loyalty to NapoleonNapoleon escaped his island and returned to FranceLouis XVIII fled and Napoleon returned to power

Crushed at the Battle of Waterloo

On June 18, 1815, other European nations met near the town of Waterloo near Belgium

Forces from these allied countries crushed Napoleon in a one day battle

Napoleon was force to abdicate once again to St. Helene, a lonely island in the South Atlantic

Napoleon’s LegacyLasting Effects:Spread the idea of revolution throughout EuropeSparked the idea of nationalism throughout

different countries in EuropeHis sale of the Louisiana Territory doubled the

size of the United StatesThe Napoleonic Code of Laws

Development of a ConstitutionExpanded suffrage (rights to vote)Expanded rights to own propertyExpanded access to education

Leaders Meet at the Congress of Vienna

After Waterloo, delegates from European Nations met at the Congress of Vienna

Goal: to restore order in Europe and create a lasting peace How to do this: establish a balance of power and

protect the monarchies throughout EuropeDecided to surround France with strong

countries to control itMembers of the Congress promoted the idea of

legitimacy, restoring hereditary monarchs

Congress Fails to See Traps AheadAustria, Prussia, Britain, and Russia set up

an alliance called the Quadruple Alliance Nations pledged to act together to maintain the

balance of power and suppress revolutionary uprisings

Concert of Europe was also establishedNations agreed to meet ocassionally to

discuss any problems affecting the peace in Europe

STAR Practice QuestionGoals of the Congress of Vienna

• Restore monarchs to power• Build a Lasting Peace

• Restore Balance of Power• ?

Which statement replaces the questions mark on the list?

(a) Restrict the growth of nationalist movements

(b) Support labor unions(c) Restrict the spread of religious movements(d) Support women’s suffrage

Answer: Which statement replaces the questions

mark on the list?(a) Restrict the growth of nationalist

movements(b) Support labor unions(c) Restrict the spread of religious movements(d) Support women’s suffrage

STAR Practice QuestionWhy did the citizens of France accept

Napoleon?(a) they were intimidated by armies that occupied Paris(b) Napoleon was needed to replace a foreign line of monarchs(c) The citizens wanted to end the chaos of the revolution(d) Napoleon had already destroyed the British Navy

Answer:Why did the citizens of France accept

Napoleon?(a) they were intimidated by armies that occupied Paris(b) Napoleon was needed to replace a foreign line of monarchs(c) The citizens wanted to end the chaos of the revolution(d) Napoleon had already destroyed the British Navy