The French Revolution and Napoleon 1789 1815 Old

The French Revolution and Napoleon, 1789 - 1815

Old Regime • 1770’s • System of feudalism left over from the Middle Ages • France still divided into 3 large social classes called estates • First & Second Estates had privileges • Access to high offices • Exemptions from paying taxes

First Estate • Roman Catholic Church • Owned 10% of land • Provided education & relief services to the poor • Gave 2% of income to government • Didn’t like Enlightenment ideas

Second Estate • Nobles • Owned 20% of land

Third Estate • 98% of the population • Divided into 3 groups • 1) Bourgeoisie • 2) Workers • 3) Peasants

Third Estate: Bourgeoisie • Merchants & artisans • Well-educated • Supported Enlightenment ideas • Paid high taxes

Third Estate: Workers • Cooks, servants, & others • Low wages • Out of work • starving

Third Estate: Peasants • Largest of the third estate • 80% population • Paid half their income to nobles’ dues, tithes to church, & taxes to the king

Economic Problems • • • Growing population Growing trade & production Heavy taxes for third estate High cost of living 1780’s crop failures • Shortage of grain • starvation

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

Louis XVI • Inherited the throne in 1774 & the debt from his predecessors • Borrowed money to help the Americans fight against Great Britain • (France & Great Britain were big rivals at this time period) • Indecisive & paid little attention to government • Married Marie Antoinette (Austrian princess) • She spent lots of money on gowns, jewels, & gifts • Louis waited until France was bankrupt before trying to fix the economy • Tried to call for taxes from the second estate which led to a meeting to get approval for the tax reform

• https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=ys. Ej. V 6 ICz. I E • Marie Antoinette Music Video

Estates General • Assembly of representatives from all 3 estates • Each estate gets one vote • At the meeting……. • National Assembly • 3 days later……. • Third estate was locked out of their meeting room • Tennis Court Oath

Storming of the Bastille • July 14, 1789 = people stormed the Bastille to get weapons to defend Paris from the king’s foreign troops • This is now a national holiday in France known as Bastille Day.

A Great Fear Sweeps France • Peasants rioted everywhere • Marched into Versailles & seized the king, queen, and family • Marched them back to Paris

Legislative Assembly • 1791, Limited Monarchy • Fear of the French “Plague”

Revolution Brings Reform & Terror • Nobles were afraid • Joined the National Assembly to end the Old Regime • Declaration of the Rights of Man • influenced by the Enlightenment & the Declaration of Independence • Guaranteed citizens equal justice, freedom of speech, & freedom of religion • These rights were for men only

National Convention • 1792 • New governing body • Mobs had more power than any government • Made up of the poor with leaders from the Bourgeoisie • Jacobins • radical group that wanted to remove the king & establish a republic • Sept. 21, 1792 = National Convention abolished the monarchy & declared France a republic • Adult male citizens could vote & hold office • Jan. 21, 1793 = Louis XVI was beheaded by the guillotine after being found guilty for treason

Maximilien Robespierre • Started & headed the Committee of Public Safety • Ruled more like a dictator during July 1793 -July 1794

Reign of Terror • Time period when Robespierre ruled France • 40, 000 people were executed in France • 85% were peasants • Came to an end when Robespierre was beheaded in July 1794

Directory • 1795 • The National Convention drafted a new plan of government known as the Directory • The Directory placed Napoleon Bonaparte as the general of the French army

Napoleon Bonaparte • Crowns himself Emperor • Social & Economic Reforms • Napoleonic Code

Napoleonic Wars & Defeat

• https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=w. Xs. Zbkt 0 yqo • French Revolution Music Video

• Crash Course French Revolution • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=l. TTv. Kw. Cyl. FY