The French Revolution From Louis XVI Napoleon Background

The French Revolution From Louis XVI - Napoleon

Background Causes 6/9/2021 2

Political reorganization w Citizenship and voting based on tax payers w Created 83 departments – Replaced all provincial power – Further crippled nobility w The National Assembly became a house divided. They began to form alliances based on class and belief. The lower classes felt left out…again.

Two New Groups Take Control Jacobins w Radicals w wanted the king completely out of the picture Girondins w Moderates w in favor of retaining the constitutional monarchy w They Take Control Now

This is getting out of hand This is not good We better stop this The killed their King!!! w 1792 -1793 Other nations of Europe worry that revolution in France will spread to their countries.

Other nations invade France – Austria, Prussia (Germany), Spain, Britain, wage war on France. – French fight them off w Radicals in France gain even more power European neighbors feared that revolution would spread to their countries.

The Counter Revolution w The revolution threatened political and social order across Europe – The Vatican isn’t happy (The French Catholic church has been attacked and their lands taken away during the Revolution. ) – French Nobility try to fight back. – The King tried to flee, but was caught – Other Monarchs of Europe saw its as a threat • Frederick II of Prussia vowed to protect Marie Antoinette

France is now a Republic w The first acts of the newly named National Convention: w A radical group (Jacobins) took over the Assembly and declared France a republic.

France is now a Republic w In January 1793, the convention tried and Louis XVI on the grounds of treason.

What’s a Republic? w A political order in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who are entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them.

The radicals were led by Maximilien Robespierre and set up the Committee on Public Safety.

Radicals Gain Control w Maxmilian Robespierre and the “Committee for Public Safety” – Begin hunting down all those seen as a threat to the Revolution – 1793 Louis XVI and Marie sent to the guillotine

Off With Their Heads!! w Simply put…France did away with the monarchy and decided they would be a Republic and Louis lost his head. . . w Literally.

The King is Dead!! w. The King is dead !!!

On a Side Note… w Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water Jack fell down and broke his crown And Jill came tumbling after. Up got Jack, and home did trot As fast as he could caper He went to bed and bound his head With vinegar and brown paper.

“Reign of Terror” – “Reign of Terror” Begins • Around 40, 000 people eventually sent to the guillotine • Nobles, peasants, workers anyone Robespierre saw as a threat to the revolution

w Time when Robespierre was so afraid of opposition that he executed people that might be a threat.

End of Reign of Terror w 1794 – National Convention feels Robespierre has gone over the line – He is arrested, tried, convicted and executed – Don’t you just love the irony of it all? ? ?

Robespierre Is Killed in 1794

Outcome w After the reign of terror the French were fearful of a too powerful government. The Directory was formed to oversee the balance of responsibilities and appointments. w Increased corruption was the result.

Results of the French Revolution w 1. Political power in France shifted from kings and nobility to the bourgeoisie (middle class). w 2. Increased nationalist feelings in France and elsewhere. w 3. Ideals of revolution like “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” spread to other parts of Europe and the world….

Impact of the Revolution w Monarchy is gone w Old feudal customs are gone w Slavery in French colonies abolished w France becomes democratic country – The Directory • 2 house legislature and committee of 5 Directors – Inefficient, quarrelsome, – It does not really work w France has LARGE, experienced army – Rising young star in that army – Napoleon Bonaparte