French Revolution Before the Revolution Government was a

French Revolution

Before the Revolution • Government was a Monarchy called the Old Regime. • During the Old Regime there were 3 Estates (social classes) Why Change? • The Enlightenment gave ideas of Revolution (sudden or significant change in the old ways of doing things) • Rich got richer – poor got poorer

The Three Estates • First Estate – Clergy- owned 10% of land in France • Second Estate – Nobility- 2% of population • Third Estate – Bourgeoisie (middle class) – Urban Poor (laborers) – Peasants- 80% of total population – 97% of the population

King Louis XVI – terrible leader; put France in debt • More concerned about sports (hunting) than his people and the economy

Queen Marie Antoinette • Queen Marie Antoinette – Upset many people with her dress style, loss up to $1. 5 million playing cards

The revolution • The 3 rd estate wanted a Revolution • They needed weapons. They stormed the Bastille (prison w/ weapons) on July 14 th 1789. • This was the start of the Revolution

The Revolution • The leaders of the Revolution execute Louis & Marie – Guillotine- method of execution used • Robespierre takes control of France. He creates the “Reign of Terror” which saw over 40, 000 people killed-most were of the Third Estate.

Napoleon Bonaparte • Revolution has no leadership– got out of hand • Napoleon= successful general who is loved by all! • Military genius • Controls France by 1795

Napoleon Bonaparte • Napoleon kept many reforms of the revolution; this kept the 97% poor happy • Napoleonic Code- Napoleons laws created to restore peace and stability • 1804 times were good- he crowns himself Emperor • By 1810 he controlled Europe

Napoleon’s downfall • Napoleon wanted all of Europe: tried to cut off Britain's trade • 1812 Napoleon invades Russia w/ 420, 000 men • The Russians retreated inland – they burned their own land so the French could not use the Russians resources.

Napoleon’s downfall • The French moved to Moscow but it was burned • The French tried to go home but the Russian winter wiped out the French troops

Napoleon’s downfall • Napoleon was then defeated by the Brits. At Waterloo (city in Belgium). • Napoleon was exiled (banished) to St. Helena & died

Congress of Vienna • The Leaders of the European countries went to Vienna for a meeting. • There they re-drew country boundaries & restored peace throughout Europe. • Many countries became allies (not so good)

Old and New

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