“Liberty, equality, fraternity” Picture: Storming of Bastille; July 14, 1789

Problems in France Social division: France was divided in to three estates or social classes *First estate: Catholic Church *Second estate: Nobility (aristocrats) *Third estate: everyone else (98% of the population) The third estate was divided into sections including the bourgeoisie (the wealthy who paid almost all the taxes in France), workers and peasants (most of whom were starving) The bourgeoisie believed strongly in Enlightenment ideas.

Problems continued King Louis XVI inherited a HUGE amount of debt. (the French helped the Americans during the Revolution) The king and queen spent a lot of money on (Queen Marie Antoinette was known as Madame Deficit,) Bankruptcy forced Louis XVI to call the Estates General (like the English parliament) to approve tax reform that would tax the 2 nd estate (nobility). Third estate created a legislative body known as the National Assembly to pass laws in the “name of the French people”, effectively ending the French monarchy

Beginning of the Revolution Storming of Bastille- starving peasants stormed the prison of Bastille on July 14, This is celebrated as French “Independence” Day. This began the “Great Fear” during which thousands of peasants broke laws with no fear of punishment National Assembly wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Man, the first French constitution which stated “men are born and remain free and equal in rights” They reformed many things including nationalizing the Catholic Church, allowing non aristocratic soldiers to rise in the army ranks and others. Louis XVI was forced to approve a new governing body known as the Legislative Assembly.

Revolutionary playing cards. Kings and queens have been replaced with images of “liberty, equality and fraternity”, the slogan of the Revolution.

Revolution Disagreements People were torn about the Revolution. 3 parts of the Legislative assembly (Radicals – wanted revolutionary changes, Moderates, and Conservatives – favored constitutional monarchy). The radicals sat on the left side of the hall and the conservatives sat on the right side. Emigres (extreme right) were nobles who wanted the old government back. Sans-coulettes (extreme left) hoped for a government that strictly followed Enlightenment ideals. Sans-coulettes

End of the Revolution After a failing war with Prussia and Austria, the radical Jacobin Club executed Louis XVI using the guillotine. Maximillien Robespierre created the Committee of Public Safety to punish non revolutionary French citizens. During the Reign of Terror, the Committee of Public Safety was responsible for the death of thousands of French. (No one was safe.) They killed the former Queen Marie Antoinette. Eventually, they also killed Robespierre. The French created a government known as the Directory and wrote ANOTHER constitution (the upper middle class held power).

English political cartoon of the French Revolution. How do you think the English viewed the French Revolution?

Napoleon Bonaparte Named general by the Directory. Because the French army no longer promoted people based on aristocratic birth, Napoleon moved up quickly through the ranks. When the Directory failed, Napoleon led a coup d ‘etat (blow of the state) and took control of the government. Napoleon wanted to be approved by the people and led a plebiscite, or vote of the people to confirm his rule. (The people voted for Napoleon because they wanted strong leadership.)

Napoleon Attempts to Fix France Sets up the lycees system (public school) and a fairer tax code. Wrote the Napoleonic code of laws Signed a concordat with the Pope to regain Catholic support of the government Crowned himself as emperor Hoped to add land to the French “empire” Sold the Louisiana territory to Thomas Jefferson (for money to wage war).

Napoleon as emperor Annexed the Austrian Netherlands Took over part of Italy Austria, Prussia and Russia signed treaties that gave Napoleon free reign Lost only one major battle, the Battle at Trafalgar. General Nelson of Britain divided the French Navy and attacked the smaller ships. This forced Napoleon to give up his invasion of Britain. Created the Continental System, a blockade that attempted to starve out Britain. (it failed) Britain actually organized its own blockade.

Napoleon as emperor Attempted to invade Russia. Russia practiced a scorched earth policy in order to starve the French troops. Thousands of Napoleon’s men starved or froze to death and he was forced to retreat severely weakened. When he returned from Russia, he was forced to give up his throne and was exiled. He later escaped (legend says he walked from the coast of France to Paris collecting troops along the way) and took control again for the Hundred Days. He was defeated for the last time at the battle of Waterloo (he was defeated by the British with the help of Prussia). He was then sent to another island where he died.

Effects of Napoleon European conservatives became very concerned about maintaining a “balance of power” Prince Metternich of Austria called the Congress of Vienna to end French aggression, it strengthened the countries around France, restored European monarchies and created a balance of power. Prussia, Austria and Russia created the Holy Alliance & signed the Concert of Europe promising to help other nations if trouble (or revolutions) ever broke out. Most of all, it created greater feelings of Nationalism in countries with foreign rulers.