Effects of French Revolution on Global Politics IR

Effects of French Revolution on Global Politics IR 1205: History of IR since 1648

Lecture Outline q French Revolution q Causes of the Revolution q Napoleon Bonaparte q Impact on Global Politics

French Revolution q Timeline: 1789 - 1799. q Slogan: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. q Outcome: Transformation from an absolute monarchy into a middleclass republic.

Causes of the Revolution q Political Causes: § Three Estates- üFirst estate: Clergy üSecond estate: Nobility üThird estate: Commoners § Incapacitate French Monarchy

Causes of the Revolution q Social Causes: § Two Divisions- ü Privileged Class- Clergy & Nobility; ü Unprivileged Class- Peasants, workers, teachers, lawyers & doctors; § Poor Harvest § Food shortage § Unemployment

Causes of the Revolution q Economic Causes: § Inequality in Taxationü Privileged Class- No tax. ü Unprivileged Class- Property Tax, Salt Tax; § Economic crisisü Expensive War Spending ü Corruption & Bankruptcy

Causes of the Revolution q Intellectual Causes: § Rousseau – üThe ruler should take care of the people’s welfare. üPeople have the right to revolt, if the ruler fails in his duties.

Napoleon Bonaparte q Born in 1769 on the island of Corsica q Seized power in France in 1799 in a coup d'état. q Crowned himself emperor and waged war against European nations q Defeated in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, exiled in the island of Saint Helena where he died in 1821.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Impact on Global Politics § Inspired Revolutionary Movementsü Europe ü South and Central America § Dissolution of Feudalismü All the laws of old feudal regime were annulled. ü The lands of nobles were confiscated. § Introduced Capitalismü An economic system based on the private ownership of capital and production units, and goods and services for profit.

Impact on Global Politics § Modernized System of Administrationü Political ü Social § Ideas of Sovereignty- ü A nation is sovereign meaning people constituting the nation is the source of all power.

Quiz-4 1. What was the slogan of French Revolution? 2. What replaced the absolute monarchy? 3. Whose writings greatly influenced French Revolution? 4. What kinds of people lived in the Third Estate? 5. Where was Napoleon exiled?

‘Critical Question’ q Do you think that the ideas of French Revolution have any relevance with the modern world?

‘Conclusion’