Chapter 11

The French Revolution and Napoleon

Section 1: The French Revolution Begins

• French population was divided into three orders (estates): – 1 st Estate: consisted of clergy – were exempt from the taille (tax) – 2 nd Estate: consisted of the nobility – held positions in the government, military, courts, and higher church offices – also exempt from the taille

– 3 rd Estate: consisted of the commoners (peasants, craftspeople, shopkeepers, and bourgeoisie: merchants, bankers, lawyers, doctors, etc…) – were forced to pay the taille, as well as pay a fee for use of village facilities

• Causes of the French Revolution: – Aristocrats and bourgeoisie were drawn to the ideas of Enlightenment – Bad harvests led to food shortages, rising prices for food, and unemployment – Government continued to spend money on costly wars and court luxuries

• Estates-General – Made up of representatives from the three estates – Voting was not equal between the estates – The 3 rd Estate called itself a National Assembly and decided to draft a constitution

– On June20, 1789, the 3 rd Estate arrived to their meeting place, only to find it locked.

– They moved to a nearby tennis court and promised to meet until they produced a French constitution. This became known as the Tennis Court Oath.

– King Louis XVI was prepared to use force against the 3 rd Estate.

– The common people stormed the Bastille (armory and prison) and dismantled it brick by brick.

– Peasant rebellions took place throughout France.

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• On August 4, 1789, the National Assembly voted to abolish the rights and financial privileges of the clergy and nobles.

• On August 26 th they adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen.

– It was inspired by the American Declaration of Independence.

– It proclaimed equal rights for all men, freedom of speech and ended the tax exemptions.

• King Louis XVI, who remained at Versailles, refused to accept the National Assembly’s declaration.

– A delegation of women met with the king on October 5 th to describe the horrible conditions their children were suffering from.

– The king was forced to accept the new decrees and to move back to Paris to show his support of the National Assembly.

• The royal family became virtual prisoners in Paris.

• Church lands were seized and sold because of the need for money.

• A new constitution was created – the Constitution of 1791. It set up a limited monarchy: there would still be a king but the Legislative Assembly would make the laws.

• King Louis XVI tried to flee France in June of 1791. He was captured and brought back to Paris.

• The rulers of Austria and Prussia were willing to use force to restore full power to the king.

– The Legislative Assembly declared war on Austria in the Spring of 1792.

• Upset with the current conditions, radical political groups, declared themselves a commune and organized a mob attack on the royal palace and Legislative Assembly.

– They took the king captive and took control of power from the National Assembly.

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Section2: Radical Revolution and Reaction

• Under the commune’s control, the Legislative Assembly was forced to call a National Convention to seek revenge on those who had helped the king.

– Thousands of people were arrested and massacred.

• On September 21, 1792, the National Convention abolished the monarchy and established the French Republic.

• On January 21, 1793, the king was beheaded.

– This causes an uproar with the royalty of other countries.

– It marks the beginning of the period known as the “Reign of Terror.”

– The Reign of Terror was enacted to defend France from foreign and domestic threats. It was led by Maximilien Robespierre who was in charge of the Committee of Public Safety. • Close to 40,000 people would be killed during the Reign of Terror, including Marie Antoinette.

• Revolutionary armies were established to bring rebellious cities back under control.

– In Lyon, 1,880 citizens were executed. (Some were killed with the guillotine while others were killed with grapeshot.) – In Nantes, victims were executed by sinking barges into the local river.

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• Positive effects of the Revolution: – A law aimed at primary education for all was passed.

– Slavery was abolished.

– Price limits were placed goods considered a necessity.

• Other effects of the Revolution: – The National Convention pursued a policy of dechristianization: • Saint was removed from street names • Churches were closed • Priests were encouraged to marry • New calendar was adopted – it would not be numbered based from the birth of Jesus. Months were given new names also.

• Tired of his control, the National Convention eventually condemned Robespierre. He was guillotined on July 28, 1794.

– The Reign of Terror came to an end.

• In August of 1795, a new constitution was created that created more stability.

– It established a national assembly consisting of two houses: • Lower house known as the Council of 500 – initiated legislation • Upper house known as the Council of Elders – accepted or rejected the proposed laws

• From 1795 – 1799, officials in the legislation were corrupt leading people to another public outcry.

– In 1799, a coup d'état occurred under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte.

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Section 3: The Age of Napoleon

• Napoleon was born in 1769.

• He quickly rose in rank in the French military.

– He received his education in French military schools.

– He became a lieutenant in the military in 1785.

– By the age of 24 he was a brigadier general.

– In 1796, he was made a commander of the French armies in Italy.

• When the coup d'état occurred, Napoleon was only 30.

• A consulate was established as a new government.

– In 1802, Napoleon was made consul for life. – In 1804, he crowned himself Emperor Napoleon I.

• His most famous domestic achievement was his codification of the laws.

– He condensed the 300 different legal systems into on seven codes of law.

• After his grand army defeated the Austrian, Prussian, and Russian armies, he was ready to create a new European order.

• Napoleon had hoped that his Grand Empire would last for centuries. However, it collapsed for two reasons: – Great Britain – Nationalism

• The downfall of Napoleon began with his invasion of Russia in 1812.

– The Russians retreated from the advancing French military, burning their own villages and countryside to keep his army from finding food.

– They retreated under terrible winter conditions, killing most of the troops.

• Napoleon was captured in March of 1814 and exiled to the island of Elba.

– Monarchy was restored to France under King Louis XVIII • Napoleon escaped a year later, only to be recaptured and exiled to St. Helena.

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