THE FRENCH REVOLUTION CAUSES POLITICAL ECONOMIC SOCIAL Political CAUSES 1.Absolutism--- The kings of France ruled with total power and denied people their rights. Enemies of the king were jailed without trial 2. The EnlightenmentWriters of this period pointed out the abuses of the Old Regime. Called for a change to democracy. Political Causes cont 3. Success of other Revolutions Example set by English Civil war, Glorious Revolution, American Revolution. Inspired French People. Social Causes 1.Rigid Social Classes (Estates)Created inequality and limited social mobility. The first and second estates, made up of clergy and nobility, were only 2% of the population. Clergy and Nobility had rights which Third Estate did not have. Third Estate middle class peasants, and city workers Social Causes cont Rise of the Bourgeoisiewealthy educated middle class. they resented their lack of status and, inspired by the enlightenment became leaders of the revolution. Economic Causes 1 Unfair Taxestaxes were heaviest on the Third Estate. Caused discontent among peasants, and Bourgeoisie 2.Restrictive Mercantilist Laws---Bourgeoisie lost profits. Stages of the French Revolution Stage Louis XVI convenes Parliament for first time in over 150 Years Members of Third Estate take this opportunity to demand a more democratic National Assembly King rejects request Locks them out of the meeting hall Assembly of third estate meets on Tennis Court outside Tennis Court OathVowed to stay together until they had written a new constitution Louis XVISent troops to disband the National Assembly People began to riot in anger Stormed the Bastille BastilleFormer political Prison Now an armory Storming of the Bastille signaled the beginning of the French Revolution Stage Two( )National Assembly Formed National AssemblyTemporary Gov that instituted a series of reforms Reforms1. Adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man 2. Ended all special priv of the clergy and nobility 3. New Constitution with estab a limited monarchy Stage Three Unstable PeriodGov faced opposition from Within France and Outside Of France Overthrow by JacobinsJacobins were a radical group, favored extreme change Jacobins led byMaximillien Robespierre Georges Danton Jean Marat 1792 Neighboring Countries Invade Why? To Stop the spread of the Revolution. People Rallied in defense Of the revolution and its Principles. LIBERTY, EQUALITY FRATERNITY Louis XVIArrested for treason and Executed Stage Four Jacobins Totally Seized Power Committee of Public Safety Set UpInstituted the Draft Needed to fight off Invasions Reign of Terror Begins Jacobins killed all who were thought to be opposed to the revolution Marrie Antoinette Executed 1793 Eventually people tired of Tyranny and turned on the Jacobins. Stage Five Creation of Directory Directory was a very weak government and could not institute needed reforms It was overthown in a Coup detat by Napoleon Bonaparte Reign of Napoleon The people of France wanted a strong, fair ruler. Napoleons Reforms CODE NAPOLEON OR NAPOLEONIC CODE CODE NAPOLEON 1.Set up National Bank 2.Set up Meritocracy 3.Set up Public Education 4.Issued the Concordat 5.Created Equal treatment before the Law Napoleon was very popular with the people of France. France Grew Socially, Politically, and Economically under Napoleon. France Grew Militarily Napoleon created the Balance Of Power in France Fought many Battles with Britain. Used the Continental System To try to defeat Britain By 1808 Napoleons Empire and Control extended through much of Europe Invasion of Russia Beginning of the end for Napoleon. Why ? This was a poorly planned attack. 1. Soldiers were not prepared for a Russian winter 2. Russians used the scorched earth tactic 1812 Napoleon RetreatsEngland, Prussia and Austria Take Advantage of Napoleans weakened army. Napoleon Defeated at the Battle of Waterloo. By what General? Napoleon Was Exiled to the Island of St. Helena in 1815 Died there in 1821 Congress of ViennaMeeting of European countries after the defeat of Napoleon. Helped to restore a limited Monarchy to France Results of the French Revolution 1. Ended Absolutism in France 2. Many reforms of Napoleon became permanent 3. Revolutionary ideas spread to other countries