French Revolution The French Revolution and Napoleon Background

French Revolution

The French Revolution and Napoleon Background: 1700 s France considered most advanced country in Europe Center of Enlightenment Large pop. , prosperous foreign trade Unrest caused by high prices, taxes, and questions raised by Rousseau and Voltaire

I. Social Order—Old Regime Feudalism still there from the Middle Ages 1 st Estate: Clergy 1% of population most privileges/no taxes owned 10% of land in France 2 nd Estate: nobles-military 2% of population/some rights and some taxes 3 rd Estate: Bourgeoisie (merchants, artisans, educated)—middle class, /no rights/all taxes 97% of population (peasants)

I. Reasons for resentment and discontent Privileges for the upper estates Heavy taxes Deficit spending-spend more than you take in: debt Poor harvests Failures of reforms

Forces of Change Enlightenment Ideas: New ideas spread fast w/3 rd Estate Began questioning structure of society “equality, liberty, and democracy” Success of American Revolution is an inspiration Rousseau and Voltaire discussed

The Estates-General Voting process—each estate gets 1 vote—normally 1 st and 2 nd estates vote together, always outnumbering the 3 rd estate National Assembly—formed by the Third Estate to represent the people of France (First deliberate act of revolution— 3 days after forming locked out of meeting room) Tennis Court Oath: National Assembly vowed to write a constitution for France (eventually some member of the other estates joined them and estatesgeneral disbanded

French Revolution Louis XVI tried to make peace and ordered nobles and clergy to join 3 rd Estate N. A. A rumor started that foreign troops were coming to massacre the French people People gathered weapons July 14, 1789: Mob wanted gun powder @ the Bastille—this is known as: Storming of the Bastilleprison fortress—overwhelmed king’s soldiers— symbolic act of Revolution

Great Fear Rebellion Spread Wave of senseless panic rolled through France Peasants broke into nobles manor houses and tore papers binding them Oct. 1789: about 6000 women rioted over price of bread Marched on Versailles, broke in, killed 2 guards, demanded King and Queen come to Paris, did and did not return Signaled the change of power and radical reforms to come

Stages of the Revolution Moderate Phase: National Assembly (limited const. monarchy) Radical Phase: Reign of Terror return to moderation Directory: against extremism Dictator: Age of Napoleon

Moderate Phase-National Assembly Declaration of the Rights of Man Similarities to the American Declaration of Ind. All men equal Natural rights Equal above the law Specific rights listed—(did not apply to women) Right to hold public office Freedom of religion Taxes based on income for everyone Slogan: “Liberty, equality, fraternity”

Accomplishments of Women Forced Louis XVI, wife and son to move back to Paris!!!!

Constitution of 1791 Type of government: limited constitutional monarchy Power of the new Legislative Assembly: make laws, collect taxes, decide on issues of war and peace

War in Europe will distract the focus War with: Austria Prussia Britain Legislative Assembly declared war on Austria (April 1792); Prussia joined Austria; Louis, Marie Antoinette and children imprisoned Legislative Assembly dissolved their assembly, new election

The Radical Phase--Revolution Leaders: San-culottes: working class (wanted more voice in gov’t, lower food prices and end food shortages) Jacobins: middle class; intellectuals radical change; wanted to remove king and establish a republic; influenced Louis fate— tried for treason, death by guillotine Seating arrangements: Conservatives=right, Moderates=middle, Radicals=left

1792 Radicals Take Over The Legislative Assembly They called for the creation of a new legislative body

National Convention Controlled By Jacobins Granted suffrage to all males France = A Republic (people elect rulers) No more Monarchy! A new constitution needed Louis XVI tried for treason Convicted/Sentenced to death Marie Antoinette put to death Louis XVII died in prison

National Convention Divides Jacobins Radicals Girondists Conservatives

National Convention Created Committee of Public Safety— (directed war effort) 12 Member Committee Led by Robespierre—a Jacobin Started the REIGN OF TERROR Attempt by the Jacobins to crush all opposition July 1793 -July 1794; during Robepierre’s rule—decided who were enemies of the Republic Enemies were generally those who challenged his leadership 3, 000 in Paris, 40, 000 total, 85% peasants

National Convention Turned Against the Committee July 1794—members of the National Convention knew they were not safe from Robespierre, so they turned on him—demanded “Down with the tyrant!” Robespierre Executed

Third Stage: Moderates Take Over the Gov’t A new constitution written Established the Directory—(executive council) 5 Men in Power 2 house Legislature, but elected only by male property owners

Directory Weak Dictatorial Faced Growing Discontent

People Turned To A Military Hero Napoleon Bonaparte Overthrew the Directory—coup d’etat Established the Consulate 3 Man Governing Body Wrote a new constitution (actually a dictatorship)

1804—Napoleon = Emperor To make people feel involved he offered PLEBICITES (pop. Vote) Successful reforms made him popular Napoleonic Code (French Law under Napoleon-pg 575)

Napoleon Abroad Plan to dominate Europe—Continental System— (Napoleon’s first mistake) Struggled with Britain and France Seized neutral trading ships—especially from the U. S. Led to War of 1812 Napoleon placed economic blockades on Britain, but failed to recognize smugglers as a problem Britain will respond with its own blockade—stop any ship search and tax—U. S. will be angry Battle of Trafalgar

Continental System cont… As Napoleon moved eastward, the ideas of liberalism and revolution spread with him—philosophy encouraging political reform Many rulers across Europe will resent Napoleon Strong resistance from Spain during the Peninsular Campaign —they used Guerilla-warfare against the French Peninsular War: Portugal ignoring Continental System; Napoleon sent army through Spain to invade Portugal Spanish towns protested, Napoleon threw out king and put his brother on the throne

Peninsular War Catholic Nation Guerillas sent to ambush the French—lasted 5 years Napoleon lost 300, 000 men! (Second Mistake!!!)

Invasion of Russia—(third mistake) Breakdown in alliance with Russia Alexander I refused to stop selling grain to Portugal Both wanted Poland Napoleon decided to invade Russia Problem: Grand Army=men from all over Europe with little loyalty to Napoleon Russians used scorched-earth policy as they retreated further into Russia Napoleon over-extended his supply lines Extremely harsh Russian winter

Battle of Borodino Seesaw battle Alexander I retreated Napoleon took Moscow, but it was already burning Napoleon waited for peace offering Too late to advance/retreat—October Napoleon turned back, snow in November Russian raiders attacked Napoleon’s army 10, 000 left to fight when returned to Russia

Napoleon’s Downfall Fourth Coalition: British, Russia, Prussia and Sweden joined to fight Napoleon Austria joined (Napoleon’s wife’s country) All main powers of Europe Battle of Leipzig: tore Napoleon’s new army up! Paris taken—March 1814 by Russian czar and Prussian king Surrendered: April 1814 Napoleon exiled to Elba—Mediterranean Island Louis XVIII (brother to Louis XVI) placed on throne

Napoleon Returns! New king unpopular, inspired Napoleon Fear of a return to the Old Regime rekindled loyalty to Napoleon Louis XVIII fled Napoleon battled against foreign enemies in Waterloo, Belgium 1815 Napoleon defeated He abdicated again Exiled again—to St. Helena (South Atlantic island) Died in 1821

Napoleon’s legacy Napoleonic Code Constitution Elections, but with limited suffrage More property ownership More access to education Spread ideas of the revolution Unsuccessful attempt to unify Europe under French domination Awakening of feelings of national pride and growth of nationalism

European Peace—Congress of Vienna 1814 Chief Goal: to create lasting peace by establishing a balance of power 8 months long 5 “great powers” King Frederick William III of Prussia Czar Alexander I of Russia Emperor Francis I of Austria British foreign minister French foreign minister

Prince Klemens von Metternich Foreign minister of Austria 3 goals to maintain a balance of power and stability: Prevent future French aggression by surrounding France with strong armies=containment (p 216) Created the Concert of Europe—peacekeeping organization (kept peace in Europe until WWI 1914) Restore Europe’s royal families to thrones=leaders promoted legitimacy

Legacy of the Congress of Vienna “Balance of power” doctrine Restoration of monarchies New political map of Europe New political philosophies (liberalism, conservatism)

Revolution in Latin America Ferdinand VII restored to Spanish throne by Congress Clashes erupted quickly Peninsulares: born in Spain, in colonies; wanted to restore their power and control Creoles: retain and expand powers they had seized; Revolts broke out against king in Spanish America Mexico remained loyal to Ferdinand Spanish king tightened control of Spain and Americas

Haiti Contributions of Toussaint L’Ouverture Former slave who led Haitian rebellion against French Defeated the armies of three foreign powers: Spain, France, and Britain Slaves in Haiti rebelled, abolished slavery, and won independence.

Bolivia/Venezuela Contributions of Simón Bolivar Native resident who led revolutionary efforts Liberated the northern areas of Latin America

Revolution in Latin America cont… Mexico revolted out of anger and threw off Spain’s control Father Miguel Hidalgo started the Mexican independence movement. Portugal revolted and got independence!

How did the Monroe Doctrine impact revolutions in Latin America? Impact of the Monroe Doctrine The Monroe Doctrine was issued by President James Monroe in 1823. Latin American nations were acknowledged to be independent. The United States would regard as a threat to its own peace and safety any attempt by European powers to impose their system on any independent state in the Western Hemisphere.