Effects of French Revolution on Global

PoliticsIR 1205: History of IR since 1648

Lecture Outline French Revolution

Causes of the Revolution

Impact on Global Politics

Napoleon Bonaparte

French Revolution Timeline: 1789 - 1799. Slogan: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

Outcome: Transformation from an absolute monarchy into a middle-class republic.

Causes of the Revolution Political Causes:

Three Estates-First estate: ClergySecond estate: NobilityThird estate: Commoners

Incapacitate French Monarchy

Causes of the Revolution Social Causes: Two Divisions-Privileged Class- Clergy & Nobility;Unprivileged Class- Peasants, workers,

teachers, lawyers & doctors;

Poor Harvest Food shortage Unemployment

Causes of the Revolution Economic Causes:

Inequality in Taxation-Privileged Class- No tax.Unprivileged Class- Property Tax, Salt Tax;

Economic crisis-Expensive War SpendingCorruption & Bankruptcy

Causes of the Revolution Intellectual Causes:

Rousseau – The ruler should take care of the

people’s welfare.

People have the right to revolt, if the ruler fails in his duties.

Napoleon Bonaparte Born in 1769 on the island of Corsica

Seized power in France in 1799 in a coup d'état.

Crowned himself emperor and waged war against European nations

Defeated in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, exiled in the island of Saint Helena where he died in 1821.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Impact on Global Politics Inspired Revolutionary Movements-EuropeSouth and Central America

Dissolution of Feudalism-All the laws of old feudal regime were annulled.The lands of nobles were confiscated.

Introduced Capitalism-An economic system based on the private

ownership of capital and production units, and goods and services for profit.

Impact on Global Politics

Ideas of Sovereignty-A nation is sovereign meaning people

constituting the nation is the source of all power.

Modernized System of Administration-PoliticalSocial

Quiz-41.What was the slogan of French

Revolution?2.What replaced the absolute

monarchy?3.Whose writings greatly

influenced French Revolution? 4.What kinds of people lived in the

Third Estate?5.Where was Napoleon exiled?

‘Critical Question’

Do you think that the ideas of French Revolution have any relevance with the modern world?

‘Conclusion’