The French Revolution and Napoleon

Chapter 18

Estates► First Estate

▪ Catholic Church▪ Ran schools, hospitals, and

orphanages► Second Estate

▪ Nobility▪ Land owners

► Third Estate▪ Bourgeoisie: lawyers,

doctors▪ Peasants, urban workers

Financial Troubles► National debt soars

▪ Costly wars, lavish parties, rising food prices▪ Nobles and clergy exempt from taxes▪ “What is life like for the poor?”▪ “What percentage of the people are poor?”

► Economic Reform Attempts▪ Louis XVI was weak and indecisive▪ Jacques Necker urged the king to reduce his spending

and tax the nobility

Louis XVI calls the Estates-General► Estates Prepare Grievance

Notebooks▪ Cahiers: listing of grievances

such as fairer taxes, freedom of the press or regular meetings

► Tennis Court Oath▪ Third Estates wanted equal

votes▪ They were locked out of their

hall▪ Meet at an indoor tennis court▪ Vowed to “never separate”▪ A new government was formed!

Effective or Not► What led to the success of the tennis court

oath?▪ Educated people were guiding the movement;

having good strategies▪ Large group of people committed to their cause

Bastille

► July 14, 1789▪ Partisans wanted

weapons▪ Stormed the prison,

resulting in many deaths▪ Found no weapons▪ Marks their

independence day

18.2

The Revolutionary Era

1. National Assembly/Moderate Phase - Turned France into Constitutional Monarchy

2. Radical Phase - Violence led to the end of the Monarchy and REIGN OF TERROR

3. Directory - Period against extremism

4. Age of Napoleon - Consolidated changesWe’re here

today!

Political Crisis leads to revolt► “Great Fear”

▪ Famine and fear spread▪ 80% of their income

buying bread▪ Government seizing land▪ Peasants attacked their

nobles► Paris Commune

▪ A radical group that demanded an end to the monarchy

The National Assembly Acts

► Ended all special privileges▪ Manorial dues, exclusive hunting

rights, special status

► Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen▪ All men have free and equal rights▪ Taxes levied to ability to pay▪ Olympe de Gouges: wanted equal

rights for women also; met resistance

The National Assembly Presses Onward

► The Church is placed under state control▪ Civil Constitution of 1790: took away church

land, priests became elected officials▪ Caused a riff among the people

► The Constitution of 1791▪ Voting rights installed▪ Creation of Legislative branch▪ Belief in natural rights

18.3

Louis’s attempts to escape

► In June 1791▪ King Louis along with

his family dressed up in disguises in order to flee▪ The King was caught in

a small town and escorted back to Paris

Radical Days of the Revolution

► Tensions lead to violence▪ People accused the king, nobles

and priests of political offenses► Radicals take control and

execute the king▪ National Convention was

created: the French Republic was born▪ Jacobins: radicals led the

government▪ Louis XVI was beheaded

Terror and Danger Grip France

► The Committee of Public Safety▪ Absolute power to deal with the

revolution▪ In charge of trials and executions

► The Reign of Terror (Sept. 1793- July 1794)▪ Maximilien Robespierre▪ Those who resisted the revolution▪ 17,000 executed▪ Robespierre was executed to end

the terror

How Would You Start a Successful Revolution in America?

Pick 1 issue to have a “revolution” on…

How can you make a revolution to make this one change?

Create a plan! Write down your steps and justify why you would need to do this. There are many ideas on what you can do to make change in a country!

The Revolution Enters Its Third Stage

► The Directory▪ The Constitution of 1795▪ Made up of 5 wealthy men▪ Called upon Napoleon

Bonaparte to put down rebellions

► Nationalism▪ A strong feeling of pride in and

devotion to one’s country

Napoleon on another powerpoint18.4