FRENCH REVOLUTION VOCABULARY OPENER Revolution Rebel Revolt Tradition

FRENCH REVOLUTION VOCABULARY OPENER

Revolution Rebel Revolt Tradition Tyranny

Taxation Commoner Citizen Inequality Constitution

Republic Discontent Abuse of Power Dictator

Revolution - a very great change from things in the past Rebel - n. a person who rises in opposition against a government v. the process of fighting against one’s government

Revolt - to rise up and fight against the government or other authority Tradition - the beliefs and ways of doing things that are passed down from parents to children Tyranny - a government in which a single person rules absolutely in a cruel way

Taxation - the act of requiring people to pay the government Commoner - a lower class person Citizen - a resident of a town or city, esp. one entitled to civic privileges such as voting

Inequality - the condition of not being equal or fair Constitution - the set of basic laws and principles by which a nation, state, or other organization is governed

Republic - a political order headed by an elected or chosen official as opposed to a hereditary monarch Discontent - a lack of satisfaction Abuse of Power - misuse of one’s position in power, usually government

Dictator - ruler with total power over a country, usually gained by force

The French Revolution Soon after the American Revolution, a major revolution broke out in France. Causes of the French Revolution: • Social inequality: Since the Middle Ages, France was broken up into three different social classes: 1. The Clergy: were considered the 1 st estate. 2. The Nobility: were considered the 2 nd estate These classes enjoyed tremendous wealth and did not have to pay taxes. 3. The Bourgeoisie (Middle Class): made up the 3 rd estate

The French Revolution Causes of the French Revolution continued: • A Bankrupt Government: French kings had bankrupted the government through expensive wars, excessive borrowing, and poor money management. • Absolute Monarchy: France was governed by an absolute monarchy, under absolutism, many people were denied basic rights and any say in government.

Causes of the French Revolution continued: The Bourgeoisie grow increasingly discontent with the first and second estates due to heavy tax burden and limited rights as citizens · Economic Injustices: The bourgeoisie were enraged by the lavished lives of the upper-classes and the heavy tax burden was placed upon the middle class. · The Enlightenment: The ideas of the Enlightenment led many French to question the traditional social classes in France.

Causes of the French Revolution continued: · American Revolution: Its success served as an example for the French to follow.

Stages of the French Revolution National Assembly: The third estate declared itself the National Assembly and vowed to write a new constitution. Seizure of Bastille on July 14, 1789: The working class stormed a prison in Bastille and peasants began revolting across the countryside attacking nobles. Declaration of the Rights of Man: The National Assembly abolished the privileges of the first and second estates creating a new constitution for France.

The slogan of the Revolution became "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity (Brotherhood). " France now becomes a Constitutional monarchy

The Revolution Takes a Radical Turn · The events of the French revolution posed a threat to other European rulers who believed that this would serve as a model for their countrymen. · As a result France found itself at war with other European countries looking to reestablish the King’s absolute power. · The new French government established a special executive committee, The Committee of Public Safety.

The Revolution Takes a Radical Turn · Led by Maximilien Robespierre the committee launched the Reign of Terror in 1793 to save the revolution from foreign invasion and domestic protestors. · This reign was quite violent and successful as the committee went on the execute any suspected traitors including nobles and priests.

Napoleon Bonapart (1769 - 1821) In 1799, Napoleon seized power in France. By 1805, he had defeated all the other European powers except England. Napoleon put his relative in power in Italy, Germany, Holland, and Spain, bringing all of these nations under his influence. Napoleon's inability to invade England, economic problems in Europe caused his boycott of British goods, and the unpopularity of French rule in the rest of Europe created increasing strains on his empire.

Napoleon Bonapart (1769 - 1821) In 1812 Napoleon invaded Russia, the Russians burned their own crops and buildings depriving the French of food and shelter. 300, 000 of his men had either deserted or died. European powers combined to overthrow Napoleon and then restored the old French royal family to the throne in 1814.

Napoleon's Impact on France, Europe, and the World Code Napoleon Law code for social equality, religious tolerance, and trial by jury. Europe Napoleon introduced the ideas of the French Revolution in the lands he conquered. o. Abolished serfdom o. Religious toleration o. Reform local laws The World French rule is resented, which fuels the growth of nationalism. Napoleon also weakened Spain.

The Restoration of Europe After Napoleon's defeat, Europes' rulers met in Vienna to redraw national boundaries. Prince Metternich of Austria was one of the statesmen at the Congress of Vienna. At Vienna, Great Britain, Russia, Austria and Prussia restored many former rulers and borders, bring Europe back to the way it had been before the French Revolution.

The Restoration of Europe The allied leaders also sought to establish a balance of power - a system in which no single country such as France could ever become powerful enough to dominate other countries.

Map of Europe, after the Congress of Vienna, 1815

The Significance (importance) of the French Revolution · Challenged Divine Right- The revolution challenged the idea of the divine right of kings and the privileges of the nobility in Europe. · Shifted Power- Political power shift in Europe from the Kings and Nobility to the Middle Class (bourgeoisie) Removed the ridged social classes from France, clearing the way for the creation of a modern capitalist economy. · Spread of Nationalism- Napoleon's victories further awakened nationalism. · Served as a Model- Both the American and French Revolutions served as models for citizens in other countries (Latin America) seeking political change.