1. The French Revolution & Napoleon 1789 - 1815

2. 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?

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

4. Causes Graphic Organizer

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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 Louis XVI was beheaded on the Guillotine

13. 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?

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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.

22. 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