French Revolution Causes of the French Revolution 1

French Revolution

Causes of the French Revolution 1) French Social Divisions – 1 st Estate: Clergy – 2 nd Estate: Nobility – 3 rd Estate: Commoners (middle class and worker class) – The 3 rd Estate paid most of the taxes What does this cartoon show about French society prior to the revolution?

Causes of the French Revolution 2) Enlightenment Ideas – 3 rd Estate was unwilling to accept the divine right of kings – 3 rd Estate did not accept the privileges of the clergy and nobility – Enlightenment ideas stressed reason and logic behind laws that benefit society as a whole, not just a select group. The Awakening of the 3 rd Estate What message is the author of the picture trying to convey?

Causes of the French Revolution 3) Financial Crisis – France’s tax system was unequal across the classes and country. – France borrowed a lot of money to fight Great Britain. – In 1787 the King suggested that the nobility pay off the debts. – Nobles called for an Estates general or “national assembly” with all 3 classes represented. How did the King’s actions lead to the call for a National Assembly?

The Estates General July 14, 1789 • The 3 rd Estate had twice as many delegates to the Estates General than the other 2 classes. • The 3 rd Estate took over the meeting and called themselves the National Assembly. • The king tried to forcefully stop them, but they stormed the Bastille and the king finally recognized the National Assembly. How It Really Happened… 1)The 3 rd estate realized they were locked out of the Estates General. 2)Went to an indoor tennis court and pledged that they would not leave until there was a new constitution (Tennis Court Oath). 3)King Louis XVI made all estates join together, to give the illusion that he controlled the National Assembly.

National Assembly – Abolished hereditary privileges. • No more freebies just because of your bloodline. – Issued the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen. • Similar to the American Declaration of Independence – Wrote a new constitution turning France into a constitutional/limited monarchy. • Just like England

Vive la France! • Those most passionate of the revolution were known as the Sans-Culottes, which literally means “without breeches. ” – Refers to their clothing in lower class status. • The Sans-Culottes made up the bulk of the revolutionary army. • Anything/Anyone considered counter-revolutionary became a target of the Sans-Culottes. – Used violence and physical enforcement for their ideals of the revolution. – Wear the tri-color pin in public • Political Ideals: – Social equality – Economic equality – Popular Democracy • Social Demands: – Abolish the authority & privileges of the monarchy, nobility, and clergy. – Fixed wages – Fixed price controls

The Revolution Takes a Radical Turn • At first, the King Louis XVI tried to accept the new government… but that did not last. • In June 1792 he tried to escape France, but he was caught, and was executed in January 1793. – Marie Antoinette was executed in October 1793. – Their son died in prison in 1795, at age 10. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=E-6 ruy. ZFf. Zs Louis XVI 0: 41: 50, Marie Antoinette 1: 13 • France became a republic in which every male citizen could vote. – “Universal manhood suffrage”

The Revolution Takes a Radical Turn • A Committee on Public Safety was created to stop those rebelling against the new government. • The revolution leaders were inspired by the ideals of Rousseau from the Enlightenment. – “Civilization is evil. ” – “Abolish the nobility. ” • A “Reign of Terror” began as the Revolutionary Tribunals arrested and executed anyone opposed to them. – Used the guillotine – Led by a man named Robespierre. • 40, 000 nobles, priests, and others were killed. – Those who fled the country in fear were known as Émigrés. What does this event say about unchecked power? Robespierre

The Revolution Takes a Radical Turn • At the same time, France was at war with other European countries. – All male citizens were forced to join the army • This abuse of power over the French people helped France gain back some land start to win their wars. • After the threat of war ended, French revolutionaries turned against their own leaders, and the leaders of the “Reign of Terror” were rounded up and executed. – Including Robespierre – https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=E-6 ruy. ZFf. Zs • Robespierre & ending 2: 26: 00

http: //www. youtube. com/wat ch? v=Py. Zs. LYxa. Iu. M Impact of the French Revolution • Challenged the ideas of divine right and privileges of nobility. • Removed feudal restrictions from France which helped freeenterprise/capitalism grow in the economy. • Introduced democracy and social equality. • Served as a model for other countries seeking political change. – Especially South America wanting independence from Spain & Portugal. How were the American and French Revolutions similar? How were they different?

Freakin’ Awesome Cartoon • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=X 1_2 Nw m. Iob. U

Napoleon Bonaparte 1769 -1821

The Rise of Napoleon • In 1799 Napoleon seized power in France and negotiated peace with all France’s enemies. • Napoleon introduced new legal reforms for protection. • He negotiated peace between the government and Catholic Church. • He consolidated his power so he had the most control. • Crowned himself Emperor in December 0 f 1804 How did making peace with his enemies help him rule France?

War with Europe • By the end of 1805, Napoleon had conquered all of Europe except for Britain. • He placed his relatives and friends in charge of many of the European countries. – Ex: Made his brother Joseph the king of Spain.

The Fall of Napoleon • Problems: – Could not invade Britain. – His boycott of British goods led to economic problems and lack of money or financial growth. – French rule was unpopular throughout Europe and the people wanted their “own kind” back in charge. Why do people oppose rule from another country, even if it is a good ruler?

The Fall of Napoleon • 1809: Spain revolted • 1812: Napoleon invaded Russia and won, but the winter and lack of supplies destroyed much of his army and he retreated. • Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria joined together to fight Napoleon. • They invaded France and reinstalled the old French royal family. (Louis XVIII) Why would the foreign invaders put the old king’s family back on the throne?

The Fall of Napoleon • Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba. • With help from accomplices and spies in France, he returned to power in 1815. • June 1815 he was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo. • He was imprisoned on the island of Helena and died in 1821.

The Impact of Napoleon • His law code created stability in France. • European countries that still used medieval feudalism eventually dropped the system. • Sparked the growth of nationalism among countries. • Sold Louisiana Territory to USA. • Weakened Spain and allowed for the Latin American Revolutions Was the rule of Napoleon a good thing or a bad thing for Europe?

Restoring the Old Order • Congress of Vienna: – Restored former monarchies and borders in Europe from before the Napoleonic Wars. – Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria made all the decisions – Wanted a balance of power to keep France from doing this again – Formally abolished European involvement in the slave trade. William Wilberforce was the driving force for the abolishment of slavery in Europe.

The Revolutions of 1848 • King Louis Philippe continued to put unequal burden upon the lower class. • Rebellions and riots erupted in 1848, frightening the king to abdicate his throne. • Fighting continued for over four months. • They elected a President, who ended up being Napoleon’s nephew. – Declared himself Emperor in 1852. – France had a new government, but once again they had a dictator.