Mr. White’s World History Class A New Age Dawns Mr. White’s World History Class

Big Questions After we have finished this section, we should be able to: Explain how European monarchs reacted to what was happening to Louis XVI Explain how the French government reacted to different challenges Explain how the French revolution introduced constitutional republics to Europe

Louis and Marie Antoinette After watching Louis and Marie Antoinette being imprisoned by revolutionaries, German and Austrian monarchs were a little worried Louis had accepted the limited powers offered by the National Assembly, but knew he was still in trouble Suspecting that Austria would try to reinstate Louis XVI, France declared war on Austria

War! War threw France into upheaval Paris crowds attacked the king’s palace and killed royal guards Mobs killed and imprisoned nobles and priests accused of political crimes Radicals took over the National Assembly

Constitutional Republic A new National Convention met to draft a constitution for the formation of a new government – the king was out Single national legislature All men could vote – no property qualifications New calendar adopted New system of measurement, the metric system, adopted

What about Louis? The National Convention had to figure out what to do with Louis XVI Radicals used some of Louis’ letters to other European monarchs to discredit him, look like he was plotting against the people of France December, 1792 – Louis is tried and found guilty of having “conspired against the liberty of the nation.” Executed by the guillotine

Jacobins and Girondists Citizens of Paris had much enthusiasm for France becoming a republic – a democratic country with no king Debate over the country’s future raged in the National Convention Jacobins – believed in radical change and, felt they were the voice of the people Girondists – moderates who thought the revolution had gone far enough, wanted to protect the middle class Over time, support moved toward the Jacobins

Reaction from the rest of Europe European monarchs feared that democratic revolutions would spread and put them in danger – formed alliances against the French The French armies worked to expand the borders of the nation to its natural boundaries, but suffered military defeats from other nations The French used conscription of male citizens to get enough soldiers to protect the country

Beginning of the Reign of Terror The Jacobins and Girondists didn’t get along – Jacobins accused Girondists of trying to bring back the king, took over the National Convention Decided that they would crush all opposition as brutally as necessary This would be known as the Reign of Terror

Terror! Neighborhood watch committees hunted down suspected traitors and turned them over to the courts False statements by neighbors Swift trials and harsh sentences About 40,000 people killed Committee of Public Safety ruled France – Maximilien Robespierre ruled the committee

Maximilien Robespierre As France recovered in its war with Austria, some called for an end to the Reign of Terror – danger had passed Robespierre accused them of treason and had them sent to the guillotine Other leaders then turned against Robespierre and had him executed Jacobins lose power, Terror comes to an end

More Changes Convention continued to govern, wrote a new constitution Made property qualifications for voters Set up an executive council of directors – the Directory Directory had to put down rebellions by royalists and radicals Directory did very little to resolve the grown gap between rich and poor Directory looked inept and incapable

The French Army and Napoleon French army was winning victories in the war with European monarchies Napoleon Bonaparte was a very capable French military leader Quick promotion, general at 26 Improved conditions for the French army as general Defeated the Austrians and won most of northern Italy

Emperor of France Napoleon, with huge popularity, then made his move After fighting in Egypt against Egyptians and the British, Napoleon returned to France In October of 1799, Napoleon and other leaders seized government power from the Directory Napoleon would soon be emperor of France