Liberty Equality Fraternity Old Regime Ancien Regime Political
Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
Old Regime “Ancien Regime” Political, social, and economic system of 18 th century continental Europe
Political Causes • • • Absolute monarchy- “Divine Right” Favoritism Corruption Censorship Imprisonment without due process People had no voice in government
Social Causes • Class system- “Estates” – First Estate-Clergy – Second Estate-Nobles – Third Estate-bourgeoisie, city workers, peasants • • • Population growing Food prices rising Wages not rising Resentment of nobility Bourgeoisie wanted political power
Economic Causes • To the Government – Feudal taxes and obligations • To the Church – tithe • To the Lords – feudal dues
Economic Causes continued • Louis XIV’s wars left France in debt • Louis XVI’s constitutional reforms failed • Nobility in opposition to the king forced him to call the Estates General in May 1789
Other Causes • Bourgeoisie desire for laissez-faire • Enlightenment ideas • English and American Revolutions • Incompetent and unpopular government
Immediate Causes • Climatic disasters • Poor Harvests • Louis XVI – Near bankruptcy – Calls Estates General • Cahiers
Tennis Court Oath July 1789 National Assembly 1789
Bastille Stormed July 14, 1789 • Symbol of Old Regime • Peasant attacks against nobles
National Assembly 1789 -1791 Conservative, Radicals, Moderates
Women’s march on Versailles
• July 1791 Royal family attempts to flee • Constitution 1791 • 1792 Louis imprisoned – émigrés
National Convention 1792 -1795 • Republic declared • January 1793 • Louis executed
Horrible Guillotine Cartoons
Accomplishments of National Convention • • • Abolished imprisonment for debt Abolished slavery in French colonies Adopted metric system Adopted national education system Prohibited primogeniture Drew up constitution with republic headed by a five man Directory
Turmoil • February 1793– War vs. Britain, Holland, Spain • First Coalition vs. France • Committee of Public Safety. April 1793
Reign of Terror September 1793 -1794 • Suspension of Rights • Watch committees • “Witch Hunts” “Death of Marat” -Jacques Louis David 1793 “It is necessary to annihilate both the internal and external enemies of the republic or perish with its fall. ” -Robespierre
Thermidorian Reaction 1794 -1796 • Robespierre falls • Abolished economic controls • Runaway inflation • Former victims now react • Restriction of political organizations • Bread riots and uprisings put down • Urban poor had little influence until 1830
Directory 1796 -1799 • Middle Class constitutional republic – five man executive branch • • • Only male property owners could vote Wealthy controlled government Unpopular Bankruptcy Still at war
Significance of Revolution • Democratic Ideals“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” • Nationalism • Worldwide influence
Napoleon Bonaparte
Early Years • Born Corsica • Military School
Military Years and Coup • Lieutenant in French artillery – Military genius – Artillery • Directory – 1796 -1815 Napoleonic Wars – Egyptian campaign • Horatio Nelson • Rosetta Stone – Coup d’etat 1799
Consulate Period 1799 -1804 • Domestic Reforms – Legal Reforms • Napoleonic Code – Education Reform – Economic Reform • Stimulate economy • Food at lower prices • Increase employment • Peasants retain land acquired during Revolution
Emperor 1804 -1814 • Constant warfare – Empire building • Continental System • 1809 - Marie Louise – Daughter of Austrian emperor
Downfall and Exile • Downfall – Invasion of Russia 1812 • Tzar Alexander I • Scorched earth policy – Economic problems • Continental System • Final Defeat – Battle of Leipzig “Battle of Nations” – Exile Elba
100 Days • 1814 -1815 Louis XVIII restored to throne • Disharmony at Congress of Vienna • Napoleon arrives in France – Louis XVIII goes into exile – Waterloo • Duke of Wellington • Prussian army • Napoleon abdicates – Exile to St. Helena
Exile for Napoleon
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