The Age of the French Revolution, The West CHAPTER 18

The Beginning of the Revolution Financial crisis led to a constitutional breakdown Formation of the National Assembly by the Third Estate, and lower nobility and clergy Breakdown of public order, caused by high price of bread, fueled public paranoia National Assembly began to legislate the Old Regime out of existence

The Creation of a New Political Society Abolition of noble, clerical, provincial and urban privileges Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, August Reorganization of the church into a government department Promulgation of a new constitution formally ended the absolute monarchy

Responses to the French Revolution Opposition within France from certain priests, nobles and Catholic extremists Welcomed by political reformers in other European states Vehemently opposed by conservative politicians and absolute monarchs across Europe, and by the papacy

The Establishment of the Republic, 1792 Growth of the radical Jacobin party Attempt by Louis XVI and his family to flee France Military defeats by Austria and Prussia fueled paranoia and led to social disorder and the imprisonment of the royal family September 22, abolition of the monarchy

The Jacobins and the Revolution Jacobins became the major political force after the establishment of the republic Split within the Jacobins, between the radical Mountain and the Girondins Execution of Louis XVI and growing foreign opposition to the Revolution deepened the political divide Purge of Girondins from government

The Reign of Terror, Formation of special courts and legal procedures to try enemies of the Revolution The Committee of Public Safety became a revolutionary dictatorship Ca. 37, 000 people were executed or killed without any trial Indiscriminate state terrorism has become closely identified with the Revolution

The Directory, The end of the Terror resulted in a new constitution Executive power was granted to a five-man directory Widespread social discontent caused by economic crisis and military defeats Coup d’état, 1799, established a military dictatorship under Napoleon Bonaparte

The Transformation of Cultural Institutions Collapse of educational system, due to reorganization of the Church Abolition of scientific and artistic academies Formation of the National Library Establishment of a museum at the Louvre Destruction of royal tombs and monuments

Creation of a New Political Culture All forms of cultural expression were subordinated to revolutionary goals Significant linguistic and symbolic changes Emphatically secular, even anti-Christian, in sentiment Belief that the popular sovereignty should permeate all aspects of daily life Concern for standardization and national uniformity

Napoleon and the Revolution Used the language and institutions of the Revolution to conceal his dictatorial rule Supported and confirmed legal equality of all men, but not women Continued the centralization, rationalization and expansion of state power Continued the military mission of the Revolution

Napoleon and the French State Achieved a resolution with the Catholic Church, via the Concordat of 1801 Promulgated six new law codes; most importantly, the Civil Code of 1804 Laid the foundations of a modern, meritocratic, hierarchical civil administration Established a new, non-hereditary nobility

Napoleon, the Empire and Europe Created a massive European empire, via a huge and well-disciplined army Napoleon’s status as a military genius is controversial, despite his success Formation of the Empire fueled nationalist ideologies, especially in Italy and Germany, against French rule

The Downfall of Napoleon Dissent within France increased after the birth of a son and heir to the imperial throne Catastrophic failure of the invasion of Russia Military defeat led to Napoleon’s abdication and exile, and restoration of the monarchy Congress of Vienna redrew European borders to preserve the balance of power

The Legacy of the French Revolution Huge economic and demographic cost, in Europe, from the revolutionary wars Delayed industrialization of France and retarded economic growth Drove an enormous growth in the competence and power of the state Promoted the concept of popular sovereignty and the practice of active political participation by all citizens

The French Revolution and Western Civilization Development of a new, secular political culture that challenged established authorities and traditions Export of revolutionary culture prompted legal, political and social changes across Europe and the Americas