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The French Revolution

The French Revolution. I. The Old Order. French Society Divided First Estate – Catholic clergy (1% of the pop.) Second Estate – Nobles (2% of the pop.) Third Estate – bourgeoisie (97% of the pop.) Growing Unrest Third Estate called for change Nobles resented the king’s absolute power

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The French Revolution

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  1. The French Revolution

  2. I. The Old Order • French Society Divided • First Estate – Catholic clergy (1% of the pop.) • Second Estate – Nobles (2% of the pop.) • Third Estate – bourgeoisie (97% of the pop.) • Growing Unrest • Third Estate called for change • Nobles resented the king’s absolute power • Financial problems (higher prices/fees) • Banks would not lend more money to the crown • Crop failures raised prices even more

  3. I. The Old Order (continued) • Calling the Estates Together • Louis XVI was forced to call the Estates-General • Had not met since 1614 • Nobles wanted to gain control of the government • Third Estate wanted a joint meeting • formed the National Assembly and promised to draft a Constitution (Tennis Court Oath) • A Call to Revolt • Third Estate wanted social/representative equality • The Fall of Bastille • Spreading violence against upper classes

  4. II. Constitutional Government • End of the Old Order • Nobles gave up feudal dues and agreed that all males could serve in govt., military, church office • Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizen • French Constitution (August of 1789) • All people are equal before the law • Freedom of speech, religion, and press • King Louis XVI forced to return to Paris • A New France • The Assembly sold off church land to pay debt • The Church was placed under govt. control • Constitution of 1791 – one-house assembly • Most moderates were happy with the Constitution results • Left, center, right wing ideas • Unrest begins

  5. III. The Decline of Monarchy • Louis decided to flee to Austria, but was discovered and arrested • Louis was forced to accept the limited monarchy proposed by the Natl. Assembly • French Revolutionists declared war on Austria • The “September Massacres” – killing of nobles

  6. IV. Dawn of a New Era • The French Republic • The Natl. Convention met from 1792-1795 • Political power placed in the legislature • Death of Louis XVI (Jan. 1793) • Was beheaded for conspiracy against liberty • No turning back, the republic would remain • Jacobins (sans-culottes) and Girondists • Spreading the Revolution • Leaders were determined to overthrow all royalty • Bring liberty, equality, and fraternity to all • Strong opposition from their enemies • Conscription was implemented (men 18-45)

  7. Factions in the New Government • The Mountain (Jacobins) – most radical; support came from middle and lower classes • Girondins – moderates; support came from provinces and those who resented the Paris mob • The Plain – swing voters; originally supported the Girondins, but later changed to the Mountain • Radical Leaders • Jean-Paul Marat – advocated violence, leader of the sans culottes (considered the most radical) • Georges-Jacques Danton –came to be known as the “compromiser” (opposed Revolutions excesses) • Maximilien Robespierre – became more radical as the Revolution progressed (led the National Convention)

  8. Quotes– Maximilien Robespierre • Any law which violates the inalienable rights of man is essentially unjust and tyrannical; it is not a law at all. • Pity is treason. • The secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant. • To punish the oppressors of humanity is clemency; to forgive them is cruelty. • The king must die so that the country can live.

  9. IV. Dawn of a New Era (cont.) • The Reign of Terror (July, 1793 – July, 1794) • Those suspected of treason were hunted down and punished (often times the victims were innocent) • 85% of the 40,000 were commoners • The Committee of Public Safety & Robespierre • Church was turned into a “temple of reason” • By mid 1794, many favored a restoration of monarchy • The Directory (1795 – 1799) • 1795: the Convention wrote a new constitution • Executive council of 5 directors was set in place • Used the army to put down uprisings by both the royalists and radicals • Ineptness and financial difficulty led to the end of the Directory

  10. Napoleon Bonaparte

  11. V. Napoleon Takes Over • Had become a military hero while protecting the Directory (1795, age 26) • Was promoted to general, gained command of French forces in Prussia • Napoleon defeated the Austrians and forced them to relinquish most of northern Italy • Returned to Paris (from Egypt) in 1799 and joined revolutionary leaders in a coup d’état • Established a dictatorship; concentrated power • Replaced elected officials with men he appointed • Created the Bank of France; required all to pay taxes • Gradually brought inflation and high prices under control • Approved by the popular vote (plebiscite)

  12. VI. Napoleon Builds an Empire • Napoleonic Code: clear and consistent laws • Placed the state above the individual; allowed censorship • The Concordat of 1801: recognized Catholicism as the official religion of France • Treaty of Amiens (1802): • Between Great Britain and France • Battle of Trafalgar: an attempt to invade England • Admiral Lord Nelson defeated the French Navy • Economic Blockades: • Ordered all European nations to stop trade with Britain • Britain proclaimed all ships must first port in G.B. • French Economy worsened

  13. VII. Downfall of the Empire • Confederation of the Rhine – German States • Spaniards and Wellington (Wesley) • 1812: Spain overthrew French occupiers with the help of the English • Failed invasion of Russia – harsh winter • 400,000 of 600,000 French soldiers died • Napoleon forced into exile (Elba) • King Louis XVIII was restored to the throne • Hundred Days (March – June, 1815) • Napoleon’s return was met with both acceptance and opposition • Was defeated at Waterloo by Wellington

  14. Peace in Europe • Congress of Vienna • Compensation, Legitimacy, and balance of power • Redrawing maps (France relinquished most) • Restoring Monarchies (divine right was necessary) • Buffer States – neutral territories around French territories • Changing Forces • Reactionaries: opposed change (traditional) • Liberalism: accepted new ideas (change) • Alliances: representatives were to meet regularly • Concert of Europe • Two alliances met regularly • Helped avoid major European conflicts

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