1. The French Revolution and Napoleon

2. Background to the French Revolution
France was divided into three estates
First estate-clergy
Second estate- nobility
Third estate-everyone else
Social unrest between the three estates was a long-term cause of the revolution
The immediate cause was the near collapse of the French budget
Food shortage, slow down in manufacturing
Monarch continued to spend money on extravagances

3. Beginnings of the National Assembly
Members of each estate served in the legislative body, the Estates-General
Members of the third estate wished to establish a constitutional government
In 1789, they declared themselves the National Assembly
They would draft the constitution
Arrived at the meeting place to find the doors locked
King prepared to use force against the third estate
Stormed the Bastille (a prison) and the revolution had effectively begun

4. A “New” France
National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
Basic liberties that French citizens should have
Under threat from the French peasants, King Louis XVI accepted the decisions of the National Assembly
French church was brought under control of the state
Constitution of 1791
Limited monarchy
Rise of the Paris Commune
Protesting food shortages
Took king hostage
Much more radical phase

5. Radicalism in France First Republic Death of the King Crisis Begins
National Convention was to draft a new constitution
Also served as the ruling body of France
Abolished the Monarch and established the French Republic
Death of the King
King beheaded on the Guillotine
Revolution became more radical
Crisis Begins
Price controls on food
Uprisings throughout the country

6. The Reign of Terror Almost 40,000 people killed
If you rebelled against the convention, you were dead
Because guillotining took too long, they dug graves and shot individuals

7. Rise of the Revolutionary Army
Eventually grew to over one million soldiers
Largest army ever seen in Europe
Pushed back invaders and conquered other countries

8. The Directory Constitution of 1795 was written by the Convention
Created an executive committee of five called the Directory
Only lasted for four years, because it was known to be corrupt
took advantage of the poor
Toppled in a coup d’etat (overthrow of government)
Napoleon seized power

9. The Rise of Napoleon Rose quickly through the ranks of the French army
Took part in the coup d’ etat of 1799 and helped establish the new government
Served as the leader of France and held absolute power
In 1802, he was made consul for life
He crowned himself emperor two years later

10. Napoleon’s Domestic Policies
Church
Established peace with Catholic church
Recognized Catholicism as the religion of most French people
Laws
Introduced Napoleonic Code
This codified laws
Bureaucracy
Created a strong, centralized administration
Focused on developing capable leaders

11. Napoleon’s Empire From 1807-1812, Napoleon was the master of Europe
Grand Empire
The French Empire
Dependent states
States run by relatives and friends
Allied states
Conquered states
Sought to spread principles of the revolution
Equality, religious toleration, economic freedom
The failure of his empire was that he could never conquer Britain

12. The Fall of Napoleon
1812, Napoleon’s army suffers great defeat in Russia
Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba
He eventually slipped back into France and raised his own army
Suffered his final defeat at Waterloo in Belgium
He was exiled again and remained so until death