Unit IV: The French Unit IV: The French RevolutionRevolution

The Old RegimeThe Old RegimeOld Regime: A social classification (estates)

of France before the revolution.I. First Estate- clergy (Church officials)

made up 1% of the total population

II. Second Estate- aristocracy and nobility made up 2% of the total population

III. Third Estate- combined three lower classes that made up 97% of the population A. Bourgeoisie-merchants, lawyers, doctors.

B. Laborers and artisan

C. Peasants- poor peopleC. Peasants- poor people

Causes of French RevolutionCauses of French Revolution1.1. Growth of the French population left Growth of the French population left

many people in the major cities many people in the major cities hungry and homeless.hungry and homeless.

2.2. Inflation- many people in France Inflation- many people in France could not pay their rent, or feed their could not pay their rent, or feed their family.family.

3.3. Shortage of food in 1788 (drought), Shortage of food in 1788 (drought), drove the food prices up.drove the food prices up.

4.4. No representation in government No representation in government (Enlightenment ideas had spread)(Enlightenment ideas had spread)

5.5. No social mobilityNo social mobility

The Estates-GeneralThe Estates-General Louis XVI called upon the Estates Louis XVI called upon the Estates

General to solve the nations General to solve the nations financial problems.financial problems.

The Third Estate proclaimed itself The Third Estate proclaimed itself the National Assembly, because the National Assembly, because they represented the majority of they represented the majority of the people. (First act of the the people. (First act of the French Revolution)French Revolution)

The Tennis Court OathThe Tennis Court Oath

The representatives made a The representatives made a pledge that they would not pledge that they would not adjourn until a constitution for adjourn until a constitution for France was adoptedFrance was adopted..

Storming of the BastilleStorming of the Bastille

July 14, 1789 July 14, 1789 people of Paris people of Paris took the prison by took the prison by force looking for force looking for weapons to weapons to defend defend themselves. (This themselves. (This date is France’s date is France’s independence independence day)day)

The Bastille TodayThe Bastille Today

““The Great Fear”The Great Fear”

National Guard- General Lafayette National Guard- General Lafayette formed a militia army to defend the formed a militia army to defend the people of Paris from Louis XVI people of Paris from Louis XVI militarymilitary

People across France were afraid People across France were afraid that nobles were planning to crush that nobles were planning to crush the rebellion and the revolution the rebellion and the revolution which became known as the “GREAT which became known as the “GREAT FEAR”FEAR”

Declaration of the Rights of Declaration of the Rights of ManMan

The National Assembly writes a document The National Assembly writes a document that addresses human rights and political that addresses human rights and political power.power.– Freedom of Religion, Speech, and PressFreedom of Religion, Speech, and Press– All men have the right to hold public officeAll men have the right to hold public office– Right to a fair trialRight to a fair trial

Emigres- nobles that fled France for safetyEmigres- nobles that fled France for safety

Sans-Culottes- Patriots of the RevolutionSans-Culottes- Patriots of the Revolution

March on Versailles (Oct. 5, March on Versailles (Oct. 5, 1789)1789)

Women in Paris Women in Paris marched to marched to Versailles to bring Versailles to bring back the King by back the King by force to Paris. force to Paris. – Two ReasonsTwo Reasons

To Keep a To Keep a watchful eye on watchful eye on the Royal Familythe Royal Family

To demand To demand more food in the more food in the citycity

The Constitution of 1791The Constitution of 1791

The National Assembly wrote a The National Assembly wrote a Constitution that limited the authority Constitution that limited the authority of the king and divided the of the king and divided the government into three branches.government into three branches.

The National Assembly was dissolved The National Assembly was dissolved and the Legislative Assembly was and the Legislative Assembly was formed.formed.– Law making body of France and male Law making body of France and male

tax paying citizens would vote for tax paying citizens would vote for them.them.

Radical, Liberal, ModeratesRadical, Liberal, Moderates ConservativesConservatives- a group of legislatures - a group of legislatures

that felt the revolution had gone far that felt the revolution had gone far enough. Thought to have enough. Thought to have constitutional monarchy. (limited constitutional monarchy. (limited authority of the king)authority of the king)

RadicalsRadicals- a group that wanted more - a group that wanted more drastic changes than those proposed. drastic changes than those proposed. They wanted to get rid of the King and They wanted to get rid of the King and establish a republic.establish a republic.

Moderates-Moderates- group who had no extreme group who had no extreme measures. They would agree with measures. They would agree with either side depending on the issueeither side depending on the issue

Political SpectrumPolitical Spectrum

Left Middle Right

(Radicals) (Moderates) (Conservatives)

Foreign WarsForeign Wars

Marie-Antoinette’s brother (Leopold Marie-Antoinette’s brother (Leopold II), king of Austria declared war on II), king of Austria declared war on French Revolutionaries.French Revolutionaries.

Discussion Question?Discussion Question?Why would foreign countries care Why would foreign countries care about a revolution in France? about a revolution in France?

Answer- Because they would be Answer- Because they would be afraid that if it was successful then afraid that if it was successful then it could spread to their country.it could spread to their country.

A New ConstitutionA New Constitution Fear that the King (Louis XVI) was Fear that the King (Louis XVI) was

aiding the Prussians and Austrians to aiding the Prussians and Austrians to overthrow France the Legislative overthrow France the Legislative Assembly abolish the monarchy.Assembly abolish the monarchy.

Establish a new constitution Establish a new constitution (government) called the (government) called the National National Convention.Convention.

Universal manhood suffrage-Universal manhood suffrage- every every adult male could vote, whether he adult male could vote, whether he owned property or not.owned property or not.

Parties of the National Parties of the National ConventionConvention

GirondinGirondin- Republicans from the - Republicans from the southwestern part of France southwestern part of France

JacobinsJacobins-Republicans who favored -Republicans who favored domination of Paris.domination of Paris.– Georges-Jacques Danton and Georges-Jacques Danton and

Maximillien RobespierreMaximillien Robespierre-were the two -were the two most powerful members of the party. most powerful members of the party.

– Jean Paul MaratJean Paul Marat-- leader of the radicals leader of the radicals

RobespierreRobespierre DantonDanton

Jean Paul MaratJean Paul Marat

Death of a KingDeath of a King

January 21, January 21, 1793 Louis XVI 1793 Louis XVI was guillotined was guillotined for treasonfor treason

Works of the National Works of the National ConventionConvention

Committee of Public Safety-Committee of Public Safety- established to crush the invading established to crush the invading armies to stop the revolutionarmies to stop the revolution– Adopted Adopted ConscriptionConscription (the (the

draft), all unmarried men draft), all unmarried men between 18 and 45 were between 18 and 45 were subject to military service.subject to military service.

Reign of TerrorReign of Terror

Widespread fear Widespread fear of putting down of putting down the opposition of the opposition of the Revolution the Revolution through means through means of the of the Guillotine.Guillotine.

Death of RobespierreDeath of Robespierre

A sigh of relief A sigh of relief came when came when Robespierre Robespierre was dead. (July was dead. (July 28, 1794) 28, 1794)

The end of the The end of the Reign of TerrorReign of Terror

The DirectoryThe Directory 1795 the National Convention created 1795 the National Convention created

another Constitution. another Constitution. Included a 2 house legislatureIncluded a 2 house legislature

– 500 members of the lower house 500 members of the lower house proposed the lawsproposed the laws

– 250 members of the upper house 250 members of the upper house accepted or rejected the lawsaccepted or rejected the laws

– Upper House selected the 5 members Upper House selected the 5 members of the Executive Branch. of the Executive Branch.

– VERY UNSUCCESSFULVERY UNSUCCESSFUL

Napoleon BonaparteNapoleon Bonaparte Corsican General Corsican General

who won many who won many battles for France.battles for France.

Became a French Became a French war hero.war hero.

Napoleon’s followers Napoleon’s followers developed a plan to developed a plan to overthrow the overthrow the government with the government with the military. military. Coup d’ Coup d’ etat.etat.

The ConsulateThe Consulate Napoleon reorganized and Napoleon reorganized and

centralized the government to give centralized the government to give himself unlimited power.himself unlimited power.

Developed three consuls to the Developed three consuls to the head the government and made head the government and made himself First Consul.himself First Consul.

Put the government to a vote, Put the government to a vote, called a called a plebisciteplebiscite, where the , where the citizens could only vote yes or no.citizens could only vote yes or no.

Napoleon the EmperorNapoleon the Emperor Napoleon made Napoleon made

himself emperor of himself emperor of France. France.

He established the He established the Napoleonic CodeNapoleonic Code..– Recognized that all Recognized that all

men were equal men were equal before the law.before the law.

– Guaranteed Guaranteed freedom of religion freedom of religion and the right for a and the right for a person to work in person to work in any occupation.any occupation.

The Continental SystemThe Continental System

Napoleon conquered all of Europe Napoleon conquered all of Europe except Great Britain.except Great Britain.

Ordered all countries not to trade Ordered all countries not to trade with Great Britain (blockade) in order with Great Britain (blockade) in order to weaken the country. to weaken the country.

The Plan backfired! Instead inflation The Plan backfired! Instead inflation rose rapidly throughout Europe.rose rapidly throughout Europe.

The Napoleonic Empire (1805-The Napoleonic Empire (1805-1815)1815)

Downfall of Napoleon’s Downfall of Napoleon’s EmpireEmpire

NationalismNationalism- A sense of pride for ones - A sense of pride for ones own country, customs, and traditions.own country, customs, and traditions.

Countries began to rebel under Countries began to rebel under Napoleon’s Empire. They wanted to Napoleon’s Empire. They wanted to install their own government; but install their own government; but Napoleon’s army was too strong.Napoleon’s army was too strong.

Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812 with Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812 with 600,000 men. (Largest army ever 600,000 men. (Largest army ever assembled in Europe)assembled in Europe)

Russians used Russians used Scorched Earth Policy-Scorched Earth Policy- – burn everything as you retreat.burn everything as you retreat.

Napoleon AbdicatesNapoleon Abdicates With an alliance of Prussia, Russia, With an alliance of Prussia, Russia,

and Great Britain Napoleon is and Great Britain Napoleon is defeated.defeated.

Sent to exile on the island of Elba.Sent to exile on the island of Elba. Louis XVIIILouis XVIII (brother of Louis XVI) was (brother of Louis XVI) was

installed as the king of France by the installed as the king of France by the allies.allies.

Napoleon learned of the discontent Napoleon learned of the discontent within the government and in within the government and in France; he escapes back to France.France; he escapes back to France.

The Hundred DaysThe Hundred Days The time period when Napoleon came The time period when Napoleon came

back to rule France is known as back to rule France is known as The The Hundred Days.Hundred Days.

An Alliance formed quickly (Prussia, An Alliance formed quickly (Prussia, Great Britain, Russia, and the Great Britain, Russia, and the Netherlands) met Napoleon’s army at Netherlands) met Napoleon’s army at Waterloo.Waterloo.

After his defeat the allies sent After his defeat the allies sent Napoleon to Napoleon to St. HelenaSt. Helena in the South in the South Atlantic.Atlantic.

The Congress of ViennaThe Congress of Vienna Hundreds of delegates from Hundreds of delegates from

European countries met at European countries met at Vienna, Austria, to discuss the Vienna, Austria, to discuss the future of Europe.future of Europe.

Three purposes:Three purposes:1.1. Retribution to the countries that Retribution to the countries that

had suffered under Napoleon.had suffered under Napoleon.2.2. Balance of Power had to be Balance of Power had to be

restored in Europe.restored in Europe.3.3. All former kings would be placed All former kings would be placed

back on the throne (legitimacy)back on the throne (legitimacy)

Congress of Vienna, 1815Congress of Vienna, 1815

The Age of MetternichThe Age of Metternich Prince of Austria that believed in Prince of Austria that believed in

AbsolutismAbsolutism To prevent liberals from spreading To prevent liberals from spreading

ideas he:ideas he:

1.1. abolished freedom of speechabolished freedom of speech

2.2. established a Central established a Central Investigating Commission to spy Investigating Commission to spy on revolutionary organizations.on revolutionary organizations.