Political Revolutions

American Revolution ch 36

French Revolution ch 37

Revolutions of the 19th Cen ch 40

American Revolution Review

Participation in 7Years War -Global Unhappy with Colonial Rule Influenced by the Enlightenment Idea of self determination and Natural Rights of “Man” Model of others- esp. Latin America

French Revolution Background

Causes 1. Inequality 2. Monarchy

ineffective (Louis XV and XVI)

3.Bad Harvests 4.Financial Collapse

Three Estates 1.First clergy-130,000 owned 10% of land 2.Second- Nobility 120-350,000 owned

30 % of land 3. Third Commoners 75-80% owned 35%

The Third Estate p 450

Largest Segment of French population some remnants of feudalism(fees,rents etc.) Skilled artisans, shopkeepers increasing Merchants “bourgeoisie”, industrialists owned 20-30% number growing 1.2 mil resented nobility and lack of input to government

Events of the French Revolution

Calling of the Estates General May 1789

Fall of the Bastille July 1789 Abolish Feudalism Rights of Man

August 1789 March to Versailles

October 1789

Flight of the King June 1791

War with Austria April 1792 Abolition of the

Monarchy Sept 1792 Execution of King January 1793

Radical Revolution

Work of a representative National Convention

Abolished monarchy, executed king, queen Power to Committee of Public Safety-headed

by Robespierre Met threats from within and a coalition of

frightened European Monarchies Initiated “Reign of Terror” (30,000)

Radical Revolution (cont.)

Reaction to Reign- resulted in Robespierre death

Thermidorian Reaction (month in calendar)Beg of Rev Year 1

Let Churches open/ less govt. regulation of business

Set up Directory result stagnation, corruption, speculation- Great opportunity for a coup d'état

Age of Napoleon

Dominated history 1799-1815 Europe never recovered/remained in fear Heroic General- success in Italy- not in Egypt Accomplished the Coup d'état Becomes First Consul of the Republic Controlled army, govt., legislature-everything 1804- Crowns himself Emperor

Napoleon’s Accomplishments

Civil Code of 1804 p. 455 (Most important)

Reconciled with the Catholic Church

Preserved the rights gained in the revolution

Sought to extend these rights to other Europeans

Coalitions of Europeans against

Came to influence- most German States, Holland, Spain, Italy,Warsaw

Inspired admiration and fear

Napoleon’s Downfall

Survival of Great Britain and Naval Power Nationalism: Ideas of liberty, rights,

freedom was powerful, but idea of self-determination won out

Invasion of Russia- 1812 Exiled to Elba- escaped March to June 1815 Waterloo- St Helena

19th Century Revolutions Ch 40-41

Power of Nationalism Liberalism vs Conservatism Series of Revolutions 1830, 1848 New Constitutions (French Republics) Latin America- Simon Bolivar Italy- Cavour and Geribaldi p 502 Germany- Prussian- Bismarck