The French Revolution & Napoleon 1789 - 1815

The Causes In 1789 French Society was very unequal There were 3 main classes of people. (Estate system) 1st Estate Priviledged Class Clergy of the Catholic Church Owned 10% of the land in France Consisted of less than 1% of the population 2nd Estate Rich Nobles Owned 20% of land in France Consisted of 2% of the population Both Estates rejected Enlightenment ideas. Why?

Causes cont. The Third Estate Consisted of 98% of population Had no power to influence the government *Embraced Enlightenment ideas

Causes Graphic Organizer

The Estates General The Estates General – was a meeting of representatives from all three estates. Each estate met separately with each group having one vote 1st and 2nd Estate had 300 delegates each 3rd Estate had about 600 delegate In 1789 Louis XVI called a meeting of the Estates General to discuss the poor French Economy and Raise taxes.

Estates General of 1789 During the meeting the 3rd estate voiced their concerns about the unfairness of the system and proposed setting up a constitutional government. June 17, 1789 the 3rd Estate voted to call itself the National Assembly and draft a constitution without the support of the king or the other two estates. By doing this they proclaimed an end to absolute monarchy and the beginning of a representative government

Commoners save the day Tennis Court Oath – Members of the third estate moved to a tennis court after they found that they had been locked out of their building They promised not to leave until a new constitution was written

The Bastille Storming the Bastille – July 14 – The king threatens to use force on the third estate Until a mob overwhelms the kings forces at the Bastille – a prison that stockpiled gunpowder Became a great symbolic act of the revolution July 14 = July 4 in the U.S.A

The Great Fear The Great Fear – a wave of panic that spread throughout France because of widespread peasant rebellions Commoners broke into Nobles homes – pillaged The King and Queen left Versailles

Declaration of Rights Declaration of the Rights of Man Reflected Enlightenment ideas and the Declaration of Independence “Men are born free and equal in rights Political associations should protect rights “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity” became a slogan of the Revolution. France became a constitutional monarchy.

Spreading Revolution Because neighboring countries were scared that revolution might spread to their countires, Austria went to war with France France was defeated The rise of the Sans- Culottes – literally mean “without Breeches”, but actually referred to those without fine clothes. This signaled a more radical and violent stage of the revolution.

Execution of the King After the King tried to escape France, he was arrested and held prisoner In Sept. of 1792, The National Assembly became the National Convention – which did not share authority with the King On Jan. 21 1793 Louis XVI was beheaded on the Guillotine

The Guillotine Invented by Frenchmen Killed Quick and “humanely” During the Fr. Rev tens of thousands were executed at the guillotine Other methods of Execution? Torture?

The Committee of Public Safety The Committee of Public Safety – was a 12 member body who was created by the National Convention to protect the young republic Maxmilian Robespierre - Controlled the government by dominating the COPS Reign of Terror – term used to describe Robespierre’s reign because so many were executed (40,000) Robespierre himself was sent to the Guillotine on July 28th, 1794 Directory takes over – an Executive body of 5men

Napoleon Bonaparte Born in 1769 – Island of Corsica Went to a French military school at the age of 9 Joined the army during the revolution Became a national hero after he defended the National Convention from Royalist – support the king In 1796 the Directory placed him in charge of the French military Nov. 9th 1799 Napoleon staged a Coup de tat – overthrow of the government. Assumed dictator status

Napoleon’s contributions Napoleonic Code – A uniform set of laws for France that eliminated a lot of injustices under the monarchy Set up more fair tax system Set up national bank Created lycees Selling of Louisiana to the U.S.A Sold the territory for 15 million Wanted to focus on Europe Stronger U.S.A. would rival Britain’s power

Napoleon’ s Goal He wanted to create a French controlled European empire and spread the revolution. At the battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon crushed the 1st coalition of Britain, Russia, Austria, Sweden After Austerlitz Napoleon controlled the largest European Empire since the Romans.

Napoleon’s 3 mistakes The Continental System – purpose was to make continental Europe more self sufficient and hurt Britain’s economy. Called for a Blockade – forcible closing of ports Problems -smugglers, allies disregarded ordered, Britain in turn ordered blockade of France Hurt Napoleon more b/c Britain’s navy was stronger

Napoleon’s 3 mistakes Peninsular War 1808 – 1813 Napoleon invaded Portugal b/c it was ignoring the Cont. System Spanish protested so, Napoleon removes Spanish king and puts his brother on the throne. Spanish guerillas attack the French Army for 5 years Napoleon lost 300,000 men and it severely weakened the French army

Napoleon’s three mistakes Invasion of Russia Russia retreated towards Moscow and practiced the Scorched Earth Policy – burned grain fields and livestock so that the French couldn’t live off of Russian resources Winter sets in and then Russians attack Disaster for Napoleon’s army Left Russian with 10,000 soldiers out of 400,000

Napoleon’s Fate The third Coalition of Britain, Austria, Russia and Prussia defeated France. Napoleon was exiled to Elba. He Escapes… Battle of Waterloo…. Duke of Wellington.. Exiled to St. Helena Died of a stomach ailment in 1821.

Revolutions: French vs. American The American revolution was more about political rights and self government The French Revolution on the other hand, was more about equality of the masses – more a social revolution Both significantly changed World History