The French Revolution and Napoleon

Section 1

The French Revolution and Napoleon

Section 1

The Revolution Begins

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Starting Points Map Main Idea / Reading Focus Causes of the Revolution Quick Facts: Causes of the Revolution First Events of the Revolution Creating a New Nation

The French Revolution and Napoleon

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Section 1

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The French Revolution and Napoleon

Section 1

The Revolution Begins

Main Idea
Problems in French society led to a revolution, the formation of a new government, and the end of the monarchy.

Reading Focus
What caused the French Revolution? What happened during the first events of the Revolution? How did the French create a new nation?

The French Revolution and Napoleon

Section 1

Causes of the Revolution

Long-standing resentments against the monarchy

Inequalities in society
Existing social and political structure Called the Old Order, or ancient rgime

King at the top and estates under him

King Louis XVI, shy and indecisive Unpopular, self-indulgent queen, Marie-Antoinette Rest of French society divided into three classes, called estates

The French Revolution and Napoleon

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The Three Estates

Varied widely in what they contributed in terms of work and taxes
First Estate Roman Catholic clergy One percent of the population Exempt from taxes Second Estate Nobility Less than 2 percent of the population Paid few taxes Third Estate Largest group97% of the population Bourgeoisiecitydwelling merchants, factory owners, and professionals Sans culottes artisans and workers Peasantspoor with little hope, paid rents and fees

Owned 10 percent of the land Collected rents and fees Bishops and other clergy grew wealthy

Controlled much wealth

Held key positions Government Military Lived on country estates

The French Revolution and Napoleon

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Further Causes
Enlightenment Ideas
Inspiring new ideas from Enlightenment philosophers
Great Britains government limiting the kings power

A Financial Crisis
Severe economic problems affected much of the country
France in debt, spending lavishly, borrowing money, and facing bankruptcy Hailstorm and drought ruined harvest; harsh winter limited flour production

American colonists rebelled successfully against British king

New ideas changed government and society in other countries

People hungry and angry; clergy and nobility no help

The French Revolution and Napoleon

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The French Revolution and Napoleon

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Summarize

What were the causes of the French Revolution?

Answer(s): inequalities in society, Enlightenment ideas, poor leadership, financial crisis, hunger and cold

The French Revolution and Napoleon

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First Events of the Revolution

By 1789, no group happy
Clergy and nobility lost power to monarchy Bourgeoisie resented regulations Poor worse off

Estates General meets

Desire for reforms Voting process a problem Third Estate proclaimed themselves National Assembly Tennis Court Oath

Storming of the Bastille

King brought in troops People of Paris armed themselves Searching for weapons, a mob stormed the Bastille

Great Fear spread

King to punish the Third Estate with foreign soldiers Rumors of massacres Peasants destroyed records and burned nobles houses

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Identify Cause and Effect

What was the connection between the fall of the Bastille and the Great Fear?
Answer(s): possible answerAfter the fall of the Bastille, people were terrified that the king would punish them.

The French Revolution and Napoleon

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Creating a New Nation

Legislating New Rights
Feudal dues eliminated
Declaration laid out liberty, equality, fraternity Inspired by the English Bill of Rights, American Declaration of Independence, and the writings of Enlightenment philosophers Men are born equal and remain equal under the law The rights did not extend to women

Restrictions on Power
Louis tried to protect his throne
Angered the common people Prices still high; mob broke into the palace demanding bread Royal family seized; National Assembly took bolder steps Passed laws against the church, clergy, and public employees Some outraged by actions

The French Revolution and Napoleon

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Formation of a New Government

In 1791, the Legislative Assembly is formed. Citizens gained broad voting rights, but rights were not universal. Constitution restricted power of king and ended distinctions of birth. King and queen feared they would be harmed.

Foreign Powers
Austria and Prussia warned against harming monarchs

End of Monarchy
August 10, 1792 royal family imprisoned by mob Radical faction took charge with National Convention Monarchy abolished; France declared a republic

Austrian army defeats French

Financial strain of war, food shortages, and high prices King blamed; action demanded

French revolutionary troops won the Battle of Valmy. New French republic held ground against Europes Old Order.

The French Revolution and Napoleon

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Sequence What steps did National and Legislative Assemblies take to create a new nation?
Answer(s): National Assembly completed constitution and created Legislative Assembly; Legislative Assemblycreated a new legislature, the National Convention, which abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic