The French Revolution and

NapoleonCh 11

The French Revolution Begins

Ch. 11 Sec 1

1700s – France considered most advanced country of Europe◦Center of Enlightenment◦Large population and prosperous foreign trade

◦Culture admired by many

Setting the Stage

Appearances can be deceiving◦Great unrest in France High prices High taxes Disturbing questions raised by Enlightenment

Caste system remained from days of feudalism

Three social classes◦First Estate◦Second Estate ◦Third Estate

Privileged Classes◦First and Second Access to high government offices

Exemptions from paying taxes

The Old Regime

Clergy of Roman Catholic Church◦1% of population ◦Owned 10% of land◦Provided education and relief services to the poor

◦2% of income went to the government (taxes)

◦Scorned Enlightenment ideas

First Estate

Rich nobles whose wealth consisted of land◦Own 20% of the land◦Make up 2% of the population◦Paid almost no taxes◦Scorned Enlightenment ideas Radical ideas that threatened status and power

Second Estate

97% of the populationConsisted of three groups

◦Bourgeoisie Merchants and artisans Well-educated Believed in Enlightenment ideals of liberty and equality

Wealthy, but paid high taxes

The Third Estate

◦WorkersCooks, servantsPoorer than bourgeoisieLow wagesFrequently out of workOften went hungry

Peasants◦Largest group in Third Estate 80% of population – 21 million people

◦Lost half of income to other estates Dues to nobles Tithes to the church Taxes to the kings agents

◦Resented clergy and nobles for privileges/special treatment

Enlightenment Ideas◦Views on gov’t spread among 3rd EstateQuestion structure of societyEquality, liberty, and democracy

◦Inspired by American Revolution

◦Discuss ideas of Rousseau and Voltaire

The Forces of Change

Economic Troubles◦Prosperous economy was failingPopulation expandedTaxes made it impossible to do business in France

Cost of living roseBad weather caused crop failures – prices of food doubled

◦Gov’t went into debt Extravagant spending by king and queen

Louis XVI inherited debt Borrowed to help Americans against British

A Weak Leader◦Louis XVI indecisive ◦Paid little attention to details of governing

◦Married Marie Antoinette – Austrian royalty

◦Marie spent $ on frivolous items◦Louis didn’t deal with $ issues til France was bankrupt

◦Estates General called when Louis calls for more taxes

National Assembly◦3rd estate wanted Assembly to meet as oneEach person have one voteBenefits 3rd Estate

◦King orders Estates General to follow old rules

Revolution Dawns

Abbe Sieyes◦Clergy member sympathetic to 3rd Estate

◦Suggest 3rd estate become National Assembly

◦Pass laws and reforms in name of French people

Delegates agree◦End absolute monarchy◦Beginning of representative gov’t◦Tennis Court Oath – June 17, 1789 Would not leave court until constitution formed

Joined by sympathetic nobles and clergy

◦Louis XVI responds Stations mercenaries outside Versailles

Rumors◦People suggest Louis will dismiss Nat’l Assembly by force

◦Others – foreign troops will massacre citizens

Storming the Bastille

July 14, 1789◦Mob storms the Bastille, a Paris prison Search for gunpowder and weapons

◦Overwhelm guards and seize control Kill prison commander and guards March down streets with heads on pikes

Symbolic act of revolution◦Similar to July 4 in USA

Rebellion spreads from Paris to countryside◦Rumors that nobles hired outlaws to terrorize peasants

Wave of panic sets in◦Great Fear Peasants become armed outlaws Break into homes of

nobles

A Great Fear Sweeps France

August 4, 1789◦Late-night meeting of the National Assembly

◦Do away with privileges of the 1st and 2nd Estates Make commoners equal to nobles and clergy

Old Regime is dead

End of the Old Regime

Declaration of Rights of Man and of the Citizen◦Aug 26, 1789◦All men are free and equal in rights Liberty, property, security, and resistance to

oppression◦Appointment to public office based on talent

◦Guaranteed equal justice, freedom of speech and religion

Rights of Man

Bread Riots◦Oct. 4, 1789◦Women riot over price of bread◦March on Versailles◦Demand Nat’l Assembly be recognized by Louis XVI

◦Demand king and queen return to Paris

National Assembly reforms the Church◦Took over Church lands Sale of lands helped to pay off French debt

◦Church officials and priests had to be elected Paid as state officials Offended Catholics in France

◦Church loses power and $

A State Controlled Church

June 1791◦Tries to leave for Austrian Netherlands◦Recognized and brought back to Paris Portrait on money

Louis Tries to Escape

A Limited Monarchy◦New constitution - Sept 1791 Limited constitutional monarchy Strips king of much of his authority

◦Creates Legislative Assembly Power to create laws Approve or prevent war declared by the

king

Conflicting Goals Cause Divisions

Legislative Assembly designed to be conservative◦Only “active” citizens could vote Men over 25 that paid a certain amount in taxes

Only wealthy people would serve◦Local gov’t in charge of taxation

Food shortages and gov’t debt remain

Legislative Assembly splits into three groups◦Radicals◦Moderates ◦Conservatives

Factions Split France

Sat on the left of the hall Opposed idea of a monarchy Wanted a lot of changes to be made

Radicals

Sat in the center Wanted some changes

◦Not as many as radicals

Moderates

Sat on the right Upheld idea of limited monarchy

◦Wanted few changes

Conservatives

Spring 1792 - Radicals create commune◦City council run by popular vote◦Take king captive◦Force Legislative Assembly to suspend monarchy

Rise of the Paris Commune

Sans-culottes◦Wore long pants Identified as ordinary patriots

◦Wage-earners and shopkeepers◦Wanted greater changes in gov’t◦Lower food prices and end to food shortages

European leaders watch changes in France◦Fear revolts will break out in own countries

◦Austria and Prussia take action Urge French to restore absolute

monarchy◦April 1792 – France declares war

France at War

Summer 1792◦Enemy armies advanced on Paris Prussian general threatens to destroy Paris if royal family is harmed

Aug 10◦Parisians respond violently 20,000 men and women invade palace where royal family is staying

Massacre guards and imprison Louis, and Marie Antoinette

France at War

Radical Revolution and Reaction

Ch. 11 Sec 2

French troops in Paris sent to help in field◦Rumors spread Supporters of king in prison might break out and seize city

◦Citizens raid prisons and massacre over 1,000 Royalists, nobles, and clergy

September Massacres

National Convention – Sept 21, 1792◦Ruling body of France Chosen to draft new constitution Lawyers, professionals, property owners 2/3 under age of 45

◦Abolished monarchy◦Declared France a republic◦Adult male citizens granted right to vote No vote for women

The First Republic

Political Social Clubs form in Paris◦The Girondins Represent areas outside Paris

◦The Mountain Represent radicals in Paris

The Fate of the King

Jacobins Take Control◦Radical political organization◦Wanted to execute kingEnsure he was not a rallying point for opponents of republic

Jacobins influence Nat’l Convention◦Try Louis for treason◦Sentenced to death Jan. 21, 1793 – beheaded by guillotine

Thousands of French oppose Jacobins◦Horrified by beheadings of Louis XVI

Robespierre Assumes Control◦Maximilien Robespierre Jacobin leader “Republic of virtue” Try to wipe out every trace of monarchy and nobility

Terror Grips France

Leader of Committee of Public Safety◦Decided who was enemy of the republic

◦Protect France from enemiesReign of Terror

◦July 1793 – July 1794 – governs as dictator

◦Executes Marie Antoinette◦40,000 French executed 16,000 by guillotine 85% were from 3rd Estate

Democratic republic composed of good citizens

Formed by good education◦Primary education for all

Abolished slavery in French colonies

Tried to control prices of essential goods

De-Christianization

The Republic of Virtue

Active participants◦No official power

Observed sessions of Nat’l Convention◦Made demands

Society for Revolutionary Republican Women in Paris◦Asserted readiness to defend republic

Role of Women

France’s Citizen Army◦1793 – GB, Holland and Spain join Austria and Prussia against French

◦Feb. 1793 – National Convention starts draft 300,000 citizens ages 18 – 40 1794 – 800,000 soldiers, including women

Pushed back invading army◦Conquered Austrian Netherlands

Rise of the revolutionary army

Robespierre attacks other revolutionaries◦Less radical than Robespierre

July 1794 – National Convention turns against Robespierre◦Arrested and executed July 28◦Public opinion shifts to the right

End of the Terror

1795 – National Convention drafts new gov’t◦3rd since 1789

More conservative◦Restricted power of CoPS◦Churches reopened◦New constitution created

New Government

Two legislative houses◦Council of 500Drafted laws

◦Council of Elders250 membersAccepted or rejected laws

◦Members chosen by electorsOwned or rented property worth certain value 30,000 people

Committee of 5 leaders◦Council of Elders chose from list from Council of 500

◦Reactionary and corrupt◦Many political enemies◦Economic issues◦Relied heavily on support of military

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