T HE F RENCH R EVOLUTION & N APOLEON Chapter 18

T HE F RENCH REVOLUTION BEGINS During this same time, American Revolution New America was formed Two reasons for the Revolution 1. New political order 2. New social order

F RENCH R EVOLUTION Social Order Three Estates in France Clergy 1. About 130,000 people 2. Owned 10% of the land 3. Exempt from taxation Nobles 1. About 350,000 people 2. 25% to 30% owned the land 3. Held leading positions 4. Tax exempt

FRENCH REVOLUTION Commoners 1. Majority of the population 2. Not land owners 3. Taxed Not considered a class of people Peasants 1. 70% to 80% of population 2. By far the largest population

F RENCH REVOLUTION Financial Crisis For 50 years it had been expanding just suffering periodic crises. For 2 years, they had Bad harvest Food shortage Unemployment Despite this meltdown, the French government continued to spend money

F RENCH REVOLUTION Marie Antoinette was the queen of France and was very extravagant. Remember that the French helped the Americans out in the Seven Years War (French and Indian War) With this meltdown, the leaders of the French Government met.

F RENCH REVOLUTION The three classes each had a vote. The day of the voting the Third Class (commoners) were locked out of the voting process This outraged the commoners and a riot started. Change in France was inevitable. It needed to be done

F RENCH REVOLUTION The first order of business was to abolish the financial privileges of the nobles and clergy The second order was to adopt a Declaration to proclaim freedom and equal rights for all men King Louis XVI had different ideas but eventually gave into pressures of domestic riots and outside invaders.

A GE OF NAPOLEON Napoleon Bonaparte dominated French and European history from He was very short physically He was the son of a noble Educated in French military schools Very well schooled in military tactics

N APOLEON He rose quickly through the ranks of the French army At the age of 24, he became a commander in the army He won the confidence of his men. His tactics included speed, deception, and surprise attacks of enemies. He returned to France as a war hero and was given the command to invade Britain.

N APOLEON He took control of France after he helped in an overthrow of the government. He was head of the Consulate which held the power and crowned himself ruler and now held absolute power of France. Napoleon was made consul for life.

NAPOLEON Domestic Policies He claimed to have preserved the gains of the French Revolution. Orders of Business : I. Peace with the Church I. Recognize Catholicism as the religion of the majority II. Pope agreed not to ask for the return of land III. Those who bought land became supporters of Napoleon

N APOLEON Napoleon and Religion He had no religious faith. He was a believer of reason Religion was a convenience In Egypt, he was a Muslim. In France, he was a Catholic

NAPOLEON Codification of Law Before Napoleon codifying the law, France had over 300 different legal systems. He prepared a single code for all of France. His laws were called the Napoleonic Code.

N APOLEON Napoleonic Code stated: 1. Equality of citizens before the law 2. Rights of individuals to choose a profession 3. Religious tolerance 4. Abolition of feudalism

N APOLEON World Dominance France was still battling a war with other European foes. Napoleon was very successful in this war except against Britain and Russia France had extended it borders just because of land acquired during war. Britain survived Napoleon only because they had a great navy.

N APOLEON Napoleon developed a Continental System or alliances with other countries. Napoleon cut off trade with Britain in hopes to hurt economy. Many countries resented that strategy because of the lack of trade Nationalism hurt Napoleon’s efforts as well