1. 23 The French Revolution and Napoleon, 1789–1815
QUIT 23
CHAPTER
The French Revolution and Napoleon, 1789–1815
Chapter Overview
Time Line
MAP
SECTION 1
Revolution Threatens the French King
SECTION 2
Revolution Brings Reform and Terror
SECTION 3
Napoleon Forges an Empire
SECTION 4
Napoleon’s Empire Collapses
GRAPH
SECTION 5
The Congress of Vienna Convenes
Visual Summary

2. 23 The French Revolution and Napoleon, 1789–1815
HOME 23
CHAPTER
The French Revolution and Napoleon, 1789–1815
Chapter Overview
Revolution leads to the overthrow and execution of the French king. After a period of instability, Napoleon takes control of France and of most of Europe. Napoleon’s thirst for power leads to his downfall, and European leaders craft a lasting peace.

3. 23 The French Revolution and Napoleon, 1789–1815 HOME Time Line 1789
CHAPTER
The French Revolution and Napoleon, 1789–1815
Time Line
1789 Storming of the Bastille ignites the French Revolution.
1796 Napoleon defeats France’s enemy, Austria.
1804 Napoleon crowns himself emperor.
1789
1815
1793 King Louis XVI is executed by guillotine.
1799 Napoleon overthrows the Directory through a coup d´état.
1815 Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo; the Congress of Vienna creates five great powers in Europe.

4. Revolution Threatens the French King
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Revolution Threatens the French King
MAP
Key Idea
Members of the Third Estate demand a more representative government. The fall of the Bastille and the king’s removal from Versailles signal the beginning of the French Revolution.
Overview
Assessment

5. Revolution Threatens the French King
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Revolution Threatens the French King
MAP
TERMS & NAMES
Overview
• Old Regime
• estate
• Louis XVI
• Marie Antoinette
• Estates-General
• National Assembly
• Tennis Court Oath
• Great Fear
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
Economic and social inequalities in the Old Regime helped cause the French Revolution.
Throughout history, economic and social inequalities have at times led peoples to revolt against their governments.
Assessment

6. poor harvest & high bread prices
HOME 1
Revolution Threatens the French King
MAP
Section 1
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. List the causes of the French Revolution.
Causes of Revolution
desire for privileges
gap between rich & poor
heavy taxes
Enlightenment ideas
poor leadership
government debt
poor harvest & high bread prices
continued . . .

7. Revolution Threatens the French King
HOME 1
Revolution Threatens the French King
MAP
Section 1
Assessment
2. Do you think that changes in the French government were inevitable? THINK ABOUT
• the leadership of Louis XVI
• the French national debt
• Enlightenment ideas
• other world revolutions
ANSWER
• Changes were inevitable because conditions were bad and new ideas were powerful.
Possible Responses:
• The situation in France could have been solved with better leadership, better communication, and a sharing of privileges and power.
continued . . .

8. Revolution Threatens the French King
HOME 1
Revolution Threatens the French King
MAP
Section 1
Assessment
3. How were the economic conditions in France similar to or different from those in England and the American colonies before their revolutions? THINK ABOUT
• France’s three estates
• the role of taxation
• France’s national debt
• conditions in England before the Civil War
• conditions in the colonies before the American Revolution
ANSWER
continued . . .

9. Revolution Threatens the French King
HOME 1
Revolution Threatens the French King
MAP
SIMILARITIES: unfair taxes and class system
Possible Responses:
DIFFERENCES: Most American colonists were better off financially than French peasants; the colonists were not laboring to support a feudal nobility.
End of Section 1

10. Revolution Brings Reform and Terror
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Revolution Brings Reform and Terror
Key Idea
The Legislative Assembly faces war and internal divisions. The king is executed, and Robespierre inaugurates the Reign of Terror. A third constitution puts power in the hands of the upper middle class.
Overview
Assessment

11. Revolution Brings Reform and Terror
HOME 2
Revolution Brings Reform and Terror
TERMS & NAMES
Overview
• Declaration of the
• Legislative Assembly
• émigrés
• sans-culottes
• guillotine
• Maximilien Robespierre
• Committee of Public
• Reign of Terror
Rights of Man
Safety
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
The revolutionary government of France made reforms but also used terror and violence to retain power.
Some governments that lack the support of a majority of their people still use terrorism to control their citizens.
Assessment

12. Revolution Brings Reform and Terror
HOME 2
Revolution Brings Reform and Terror
Section 2
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. List the main events that occurred after the creation of the Constitution of 1791.
Assembly creates a constitution.
War with Austria begins when Austria offers support
for Louis XVI.
War goes badly for the French, and mobs rule Paris.
King is executed.
Reign of Terror begins as radicals take over the
government.
Terror ends as moderates gain control.
continued . . .
continued . . .

13. Revolution Brings Reform and Terror
HOME 2
Revolution Brings Reform and Terror
Section 2
Assessment
2. After the French rejected the king’s absolute control, they struggled to create a more democratic government. However, in 1793, Robespierre became a dictator.
What caused this to happen? THINK ABOUT
• the political climate prior to Robespierre’s rule
• the need for a leader
• Robespierre’s personality
ANSWER
Possible Responses:
War, economic problems, and struggling political factions caused confusion. People needed stability and leadership. Robespierre’s strong personality filled the vacuum.
End of Section 2

14. Napoleon Forges an Empire
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Napoleon Forges an Empire
Key Idea
A brilliant general, Napoleon Bonaparte, becomes emperor of France and assumes broad powers. Through military victories, he establishes mastery over most of Europe.
Overview
Assessment

15. Napoleon Forges an Empire
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Napoleon Forges an Empire
TERMS & NAMES
Overview
• Napoleon Bonaparte
• coup d'état
• plebiscite
• lycée
• concordat
• Napoleonic Code
• Battle of Trafalgar
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
A military genius, Napoleon Bonaparte, seized power in France and made himself emperor.
In times of political turmoil, military dictators often seize control of nations, as in Haiti in 1991.
Assessment

16. Napoleon Forges an Empire
HOME 3
Napoleon Forges an Empire
Section 3
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. Describe the events leading to the crowning of Napoleon as emperor of France.
1789
1796–1799
1800
1795
1799
1804
French Revolution breaks out.
New constitution gives Napoleon all real power.
Napoleon wins many victories.
Napoleon defeats royalist rebels.
Napoleon seizes power from the Directory.
Napoleon crowned emperor.
continued . . .

17. Napoleon Forges an Empire
HOME 3
Napoleon Forges an Empire
Section 3
Assessment
2. There is an old question: “Do the times make the man, or does the man make the times?” In your opinion, was Napoleon the creator of or the creation of his times?
THINK ABOUT
• the government after the Terror
• Napoleon’s defense of France
• Napoleon’s popularity
ANSWER
Possible Responses:
• Napoleon became powerful because of his military responsibilities and the political chaos after the Terror.
• Napoleon’s strong personality would have dominated no matter the circumstances.
continued . . .

18. Napoleon Forges an Empire
HOME 3
Napoleon Forges an Empire
Section 3
Assessment
3. To keep his empire together, Napoleon had to deal with forces both inside and outside the French Empire. In your judgment, which area was more crucial to control? THINK ABOUT
• the length of the period of civil unrest in France
• the power and activities of the other European nations
ANSWER
• Internal unrest was most important, because division and chaos at home would have made military success impossible.
Possible Responses:
• Victory against external enemies would have led to union within France.
End of Section 3

19. Napoleon’s Empire Collapses
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Napoleon’s Empire Collapses
Key Idea
Napoleon makes political and military mistakes as he tries to increase his power. He is defeated, returns, is defeated again, and finishes his life in exile.
Overview
Assessment

20. Napoleon’s Empire Collapses
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Napoleon’s Empire Collapses
TERMS & NAMES
Overview
• blockade
• Continental System
• guerrilla
• Peninsular War
• scorched-earth policy
• Waterloo
• Hundred Days
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
Napoleon’s conquests aroused nationalistic feelings across Europe and contributed to his downfall.
In the1990s, nationalistic feelings contributed to the breakup of nations such as Yugoslavia.
Assessment

21. Napoleon’s Empire Collapses
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Napoleon’s Empire Collapses
Section 4
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. List Napoleon’s three disastrous mistakes and the effects that each one had on his empire.
Napoleon’s Mistakes
Effect on Empire
Continental System
Weakening of France
Peninsular War
Great loss of life and prestige
Russian invasion
Loss of much of army
continued . . .

22. Napoleon’s Empire Collapses
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Napoleon’s Empire Collapses
Section 4
Assessment
2. What were the main reasons people in other European countries resisted Napoleon? THINK ABOUT
• why some of his own allies refused to abide by the Continental System
• why the Spanish fought a guerrilla war for several years
• why the Russians destroyed their own crops and cities
ANSWER
• Nationalistic feelings caused resistance to French control.
Possible Responses:
• Invaded countries did not support Napoleon’s drive for power.
• Russians did not want French rulers.
End of Section 4

23. The Congress of Vienna Convenes
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The Congress of Vienna Convenes
GRAPH
Key Idea
Following the plan of Metternich, the Congress of Vienna reestablishes stability in Europe after the defeat of Napoleon.
Overview
Assessment

24. The Congress of Vienna Convenes
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The Congress of Vienna Convenes
GRAPH
TERMS & NAMES
Overview
• Congress of Vienna
• balance of power
• legitimacy
• Holy Alliance
• Concert of Europe
• Klemens von
Metternich
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
After exiling Napoleon, European leaders at the Congress of Vienna tried to restore order and reestablish peace.
International bodies such as the United Nations play an active role in trying to maintain world peace and stability today.
Assessment

25. The Congress of Vienna Convenes
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The Congress of Vienna Convenes
GRAPH
Section 5
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. List the ways in which the three main goals of Metternich’s plan at the Congress of Vienna solved a political problem.
Problem
Solution
METTERNICH’S PLAN
French aggression
Surrounding France with strong countries
Power struggles between countries
Creating a balance of power so that no country can dominate others
Lack of legitimate leaders
Restoring royal families to their thrones
continued . . .

26. The Congress of Vienna Convenes
HOME 5
The Congress of Vienna Convenes
GRAPH
Section 5
Assessment
2. From France’s point of view, were the decisions made at the Congress of Vienna fair? THINK ABOUT
• Metternich’s three goals
• France’s loss of territory
• the fears of the rest of Europe
ANSWER
• The French would have considered the decisions fair because as a defeated country, France could have had its territory divided among the victors. Instead, its original borders were left intact.
Possible Responses:
• France lost all that it had gained.
continued . . .

27. The Congress of Vienna Convenes
HOME 5
The Congress of Vienna Convenes
GRAPH
Section 5
Assessment
3. Why do you think liberals and conservatives differed over who should have power? THINK ABOUT
• Old Regime privileges
• attitudes toward change
• Enlightenment ideas
ANSWER
• Liberals, mostly of the Third Estate, wanted a more representative government and more power for the common people.
Possible Responses:
• Conservatives feared the common people and wanted to preserve royalty and privilege, viewing change as dangerous and frightening.
End of Section 5