Name _________________________
Modern World History
Mr. Kraft
French Revolution
Power Point Notes
French Revolution Time Period: 1789 – 1815
The Origins:
1. What monarchy was in control of France at the beginning of the French Revolution?
___________________

Was the same monarchy in control of France at the end of the French Revolution? _______
2. French royal family at the start of the French Revolution:

King

Queen______________________________________
_____________________________________
a. What country was she from? _______________________
b. What was her eventual nickname given to her by the French people? _______________

Why did they marry? ________________________________________________________

How many children did they have? __________

How many of their children had died before the French Revolution began? ___________
3. European Feudalism:

Under this system, which group is the only group that pays taxes? _________________
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4. French Feudal System: French Social Class System (“The Estates”)

What is the name for a “social class” in France during the French Revolution? __________
The Estate
Members
French Population %
% of French Land
Owned
1st
2nd
3rd

Which of the three estates was required to serve in the French military? ________________

Million Dollar Question: What is the obvious problem with this system?

The problem with this system is what lead to the beginning of the French Revolution. How
is this similar to what caused the American Revolution to begin?
5. Estates General: French Congress

What is the Estates General? ___________________________

What would the Estates General be equivalent to in the U.S.? _______________________

Who made up the Estates General? ____________________________________________

Which estate has the most representatives in the Estates General? __________
a. Why this estate? ________________________________________________________

Explain how the Estates General works.

How many votes does each estate get in the Estates General? __________

What is the problem with the Estates General system?
2
6. Estates General Meeting: (May – June, 1789)

Where was this meeting held? _________________________________

How long had it been since this group last met? ______________

What was each estate told to bring to this meeting? ________________________________

3rd Estate’s Complaints:
a. What was their # 1 complaint? ______________________________________________
b. What was their # 2 complaint? ______________________________________________

What did the members of 3rd Estate do during this meeting and why?
7. The National Assembly:

Who were the members of this group? __________________________________________

Whom did this group claim to represent? ________________________________________

What was the goal of this group? ______________________________________________

How did King Louis XVI feel about this group? ____________________________________
8. “The Tennis Court Oath”: “Never to separate and to meet wherever the circumstances might
require until we have established a sound and just constitution.” (June 20, 1789)

What is the gist of the oath? __________________________________________________

Who took this oath? ________________________________________________________

How did Louis XVI respond to this oath? ________________________________________
9. Raid of the Invalides: (July 14, 1789)

Where is the Invalides? ___________________________

Who were the “raiders”? __________________________

What was here that the raiders wanted? ______________________

Why did this group of people need weapons? _____________________________

Although the raiders got cannons and guns during this raid, what did they not get?
____________________
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10. Storming of the Bastille: (July 14, 1789)

Where is the Bastille? ___________________________

What is the Bastille? ______________________________

Who were the “stormers”? __________________________

What was here that the raiders needed? ______________________

At the end of this event, what two things did the National Assembly now have?
a. ___________________________
b. ___________________________

Importance of this event:
a. ______________________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________________

What day does France celebrate its “Independence Day”? __________________________
a. What name does France give to this holiday? __________________________________
4
Phase # 1
Phase # 1: The National Assembly (1789 – 1791) – Moderate
1. The Tri-Color: French Flag = “The Symbol of the French Revolution”
Colors of French Flag
Meaning
Red
White
Blue

What is the overall meaning of the French Flag?
2. How did Louis XVI’s 1st meeting with the National Assembly go? ________________________
3. The Great Fear: (1789)

What people were being attacked during the Great Fear? ___________________________
a. Who were these people being attacked by? ____________________________

What was happening in France that started the Great Fear? _________________________

What are two sources of anger that lead to these attacks?
a. ______________________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________________

What was making the Great Fear much worse? ___________________________________
4. National Assembly Meets For Reforms: (1789)

What was the main goal of this meeting? ________________________________________

What was abolished in France as a result of this meeting? __________________________

Who had to approve the changes that resulted from this meeting? ____________________
a. How did this end up “hurting” him in the future when he did not approve it?
5
5. Declaration of the Rights of Man: (August 27, 1789)

What group created this document? ____________________________________________

What symbol is above the actual document? _____________________________________
a. What group or secret society also uses this symbol? ____________________________
b. What country did many members of this secret society help “build’? ________________

What U.S. document is this document modeled after? ______________________________

What movement’s ideas are expressed throughout this document? ___________________

Just as “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” are the “highlight” words of the
Declaration of Independence”, what would be the highlight words of this document?
a. ____________________________
b. ____________________________
c. ____________________________

Who had to approve this document before it be accepted as part of French Law? ________
a. Did he? ________

What American was behind the outbreak of the French Revolution? ___________________
a. What was his job? _______________________________________________________
b. What secret society did he belong to? ________________________________________
6. March on Versailles: (October 5, 1789)

Who lived in the Palace of Versailles at this time? _________________________________

Who were the “marchers” involved in this event? __________________________________

What member of the French Royal family were the marchers most angry with?
_______________________________________

What were the marcher’s demands? ___________________________________________
6

Once Louis XVI and his family were removed from the Palace of Versailles, where were
they forced to live? _________________________________
a. Where is this place? ______________________________
b. What was it at one point in time? _________________________
c. Why is this new home for King Louis XVI very important?
7. Constitution of 1791: (1791)

What group created this constitution? __________________________________________

What type of monarchy was ended as a result of this constitution? ___________________

What type of monarchy was established as a result of this constitution? _______________

What is the name of legislative assembly (group) that now oversees the actions of the
monarch (king or queen) as a result of this constitution?____________________________

Who will be elected as a result of this constitution? ________________________________

Who now has no control of the French Catholic church as a result of this constitution?
_______________________________
8. Louis XVI’s Attempted Escape: (June 20 – 21, 1791)

Where was Louis XVI trying to escape to? _____________________
a. Why here?

What kept Louis XVI from having a successful escape? ____________________________

What was done with Louis XVI and his family when he was returned to Paris?

How did the people of France view Louis XVI after this? ____________________________
9. Declaration of Pillnitz: (August 21, 1791)

Summarize what this declaration said.

What two leaders of foreign countries gave this declaration?
a. _____________________________
Country ____________________________
b. _____________________________
Country ____________________________
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10. The French “Promise”: (1791)

What was the “promise”?

How did the rest of Europe react to this? ________________________________________

What did this promise eventually lead to? ________________________
11. France at War: (1792 – 1815)

What is the reason for France being involved in so many wars during this time period?
_______________________

Within this time period, what is the specific time period for the French Revolutionary Wars?
__________________

Within this time period, what is the specific time period for the Napoleonic Wars?_________
a. Who is responsible for starting the wars? __________________________
b. List the two ways that these wars were financed by Napoleon?



________________________________________________
 ________________________________________________
For the most part, what continent did France end up fighting? ________________________
What other war was France also involved in while fighting the rest of the European
continent? ______________________________
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Phase # 2
Phase # 2: The Reign of Terror (1792 – 1794) – Radical / “Crazy”
1. The Sans-Culottes: “Those who wear pants”

What former French Estate was this group part of? _________________________

Were they the richest or poorest members of this estate? ___________________________

What political term would best describe what type of group they are? __________________

What was the goal of this group during the French Revolution? _______________________
a. Define republic – _______________________________________________________
b. What can a republic not have? _____________________________

List the two sub-groups within this group: __________________ & ____________________
a. Which of these two sub-groups wanted to try and fix the constitutional monarch?
_________________________
b. Which of these two sub-groups didn’t want to try and fix the constitutional monarch and
get rid of monarchy altogether? _________________________

If this group was so “crazy”, how did they gain control of the French government?
2. Storming of The Tuileries: (August 10, 1792)

Who were the “stormers”? _________________________

Who were the stormers hoping to capture during this event? _________________________

Where the stormers successful? _________
3. The September Massacres: (September 2 – 7, 1792)

What countries invasion of France sparked this event? __________________________
a. Who was this foreign army hoping to liberate as a result of this invasion?____________

b. Why were the Prussians wanting liberate Louis XVI during this invasion?
What, on the part of the French people, is the underlying reason for this event?
_______________________

How many French prisoners in Paris were killed during this event? __________
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4. Battle of Valmy: (September 19 – 20, 1792)

What two countries were involved in this battle?
a. __________________________
b. __________________________

What is the main reason for this battle? ______________________________

What was the battle cry of the French Revolutionary Army? _________________________

Who won this battle? _________________

What did this convince the France to keep upholding? ______________________________

What part of any military was shown to be very valuable as result of this battle? _________

What was abolished in France the next day? _____________________________________

What was established in France the next day?____________________________________
5. Trial, death, and exile of the French Royal Family: (1793)

What crime was the entire French Royal family charged with? _______________________

What was done with King Louis XVI? ________________________

What was done with Queen Marie Antoinette? ________________________

What was done with their daughter Marie? _______________________________________

What was done with their son Louis XVII? _______________________________________
6. Constitution of 1793: (June 24, 1793)

What group created the Constitution of 1793? __________________________
a. What sub-group of Sans-Culottes was controlling this group at the time?_____________

What was abolished as a result of this constitution? ___________________

What type of French government was established a as a result of this constitution?
___________________________

What is the new name for the National Assembly as a result of this constitution?
___________________________
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
What became the official French legislature as a result of this constitution?
___________________________
a. How do people get to be members of this legislature? ___________________________

What was granted to all French men as a result of this constitution? ___________________
7. Committee of Public Safety (C.O.P.S.): (1792 – 1795)

Who created the C.O.P.S.? ____________________________________

How many people were on the C.O.P.S.? _____

Who was the leader of the C.O.P.S.?_____________________________________
a. Who political party was he affiliated with? _______________________

What was the C.O.P.S. hoping to end? ________________________________

What was the C.O.P.S. hoping to spread throughout Europe? ________________________

What was the C.O.P.S. creating a mass tax for? ________________________

What was the purpose of the court established by the C.O.P.S.?
8. The Height and End of the “Reign of Terror”: (July 1793 – July 1794)

What political party was in charge in of France during this time period? ________________

How many French people died or were sentenced to death during this time period? ______

What happened to the Girondins? _____________________________________________

How did the Jacobins lose control of the French government?

What did the Jacobins fall from power help end? __________________________________

What happened to Maximillien Robespierre? _____________________________________
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Phase # 3
Phase # 3: The Directory (1795 – 1799) – Moderate
1. Constitution of 1795: (August 22, 1795)

What did this constitution create and or establish? ____________________________
2. The Directory: (1795 – 1799)

How many “Directors” were on the Directory? ______
a. How many of the Directors were Jacobins? ______

How was the power divided amongst the Directors? _________________________

Who was the most powerful of the Directors? ________________
3. The Vendemiaire Uprising: (October 5, 1795)

Whose authority was being challenged during this event? __________________________

Who lead the French army that repelled the French “uprisers”? ______________________
a. What Director appointed him to handle the angry French uprisers? _________________

As a result of this event, who established a good initial relationship with the Directory?
__________________

As a result of this event, who began to build a good reputation in France? ______________
a. Where did this person begin to have military success shortly after this event?
_______________________________
4. The Battle for control of Egypt: (1798)

What country was in control of Egypt at this time? __________________

What was so important about Egypt that Napoleon wanted control of? _________________

What region or area was Napoleon hoping to control as a result of this battle and future
battles? _____________________________

Where would control of the Middle East help limit English control? ___________________

Battle of the Pyramids (Egypt): (July 21, 1798)
a. Who won this battle? _____________________
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b. Who lost this battle? _____________________

Battle of the Nile (Egypt): (August 1 – 3, 1798)
a. What two countries fought during this battle? ________________ & ________________
b. What type of battle was this? _________________
c. Who commanded the English Royal Navy in this battle? _________________________
d. Who won this battle? _____________________
e. Where did this battle end Napoleon’s dominance? ______________________________
f. Where did the Napoleon’s army end up trapped with no way home? ________________
g. Where were English colonies now safe as a result of this battle? _________________ &
_________________
5. The Quasi War or Undeclared War: (1798 – 1800)

What two countries fought during this war? ________________ & ________________

The refusal of the U.S. to pay back its Revolutionary War debts to France is an underlying
reason for the start of this war. Why did the U.S. refuse to pay back this debt?

Through Jay’s Treaty, who did the U.S. agree to a 10 year trading deal with? ____________

What did the U.S. declare itself to be in the conflict between England and France as a result
of the French Revolution? ________________________

In short, how did the French feel about this U.S. during the 1790s?

Why were French pirates seizing U.S. merchant (trading) ships in the 1790s?

Who was France trying to bribe in the “XYZ” affair? ___________________
a. What did the French agree to stop doing if the bribe was paid?

What was the main reason for the start of this war? ________________________________
13

What was the U.S. hoping to protect as a result of this war? _________________________

Was there a “clear cut” winner of this war? ________

Who was in charge of France who helped negotiate the end of this war? _______________

What future purchase would the end of this war lead to? ____________________________
6. Siege of Acre: (March 20 -21, 1799)

In what present-day country did this take place? ____________________
a. What country owned this area at the time? ____________________________________

From what country was France, under the control of Napoleon, attacking from? __________

Who was the allied with the Ottoman Empire at the time of this battle? _________________

Who won this battle? _______________________

What French government group began to collapse shortly after this battle? _____________
7. The Collapse of the Directory: (November, 1799)

What is the main reason for the collapse of the Directory? ___________________________

What is a coup d’état? _______________________________________________________

Who lead the coup d’état that ended the Directory? ________________________
a. What had this person done during the Directory’s time in power that made him so
popular amongst the French people?
14
Phase # 4
Phase # 4: Napoleon’s Reign (1799 – 1815) – Militant
1. Constitution of 1799: (1799)

What did this constitution create and or establish? ____________________________
2. Napoleon Biography:

Where was Napoleon born? ______________________
a. What country owned this island at the time of his birth? ____________________

How many siblings did Napoleon have? __________

How old was Napoleon when he was admitted to a French royal military training school?
_____

What movement’s beliefs was Napoleon a believer in? ____________________________
3. The Consulate: (1799 – 1804)

What was this group responsible for doing? ______________________________________

How many “Consuls” were on the Consulate? ______

How long was each Consuls term? _______

What type of government was the Consulate designed to be? __________________
4. The 1st Consul: (1802)

What title within the Consulate gave a person control of the Consulate and in essence
control of France? ____________________
a. Of the three Consuls, which one eventually earned this title in 1802?________________

How was the disagreement between the three Consuls about Napoleon being named 1 st
Consul resolved?
15
5. The Emperor and the French Empire: (1804 – 1814)

What fear motivated Napoleon’s appointment to French Emperor?

What title did certain members of the French government want Napoleon to take that he
refused to take? _________________
a. Why did he not take this title?

What title did Napoleon eventually take instead of King of France? ___________________

What new French government was created when Napoleon was crowned Emperor of
France? _____________________
a. What type of government was the French Empire designed to be? ________________

What event was the beginning of the French Empire? _____________________________

What series of wars expanded the French Empire? _______________________________
6. The Napoleonic Code:

Who was expected to follow this set of laws?
a. ________________________
b. ________________________

What old European system was outlawed under this set of laws? ____________________

What freedom was granted under this set of laws? _______________________

How did the French people respond to this set of laws? ____________________________

What movement’s ideas are expressed throughout this document? __________________
7. Napoleonic Nepotism:

Define nepotism – _________________________________________________________

What country or area was Napoleon’s older brother Joseph Bonaparte crowned king of by
order of Napoleon? ___________________

What country or area was Napoleon’s younger brother Louis Bonaparte crowned king of
by order of Napoleon? __________________________________________

What country or area was Napoleon’s youngest brother Jerome Bonaparte crowned king
of by order of Napoleon? ________________________________________
16

What country or area was Napoleon’s sister Caroline Bonaparte crowned queen of by
order of Napoleon? ___________________

What county or area was Napoleon’s son Napoleon Bonaparte II crowned king of by order
of Napoleon? ___________________

What failure of Napoleon contributed to all of his relatives losing control of their kingdoms,
countries, and or areas? ________________________________
17
The Napoleonic Wars (1804 – 1814)
What U.S. land purchase from France helped Napoleon get money in order to finance the
Napoleonic Wars? ___________________________
1. Napoleon’s Nemesis’s:

Define nemesis –__________________________________________________________

Who was Napoleon’s naval nemesis prior to and during the early part of the Napoleonic
Wars? ______________________
a. What country was he from? ____________________

Who was Napoleon’s army nemesis during the Napoleonic Wars? ___________________
a. What country was he from? ____________________
2. Battle of Trafalgar: (October 21, 1805) – France v. England

Where was this battle fought? ________________________

What type of battle was this? _______________

What were the French plans in this battle? ______________________________________

Who won this battle? ________________________

What English Admiral was killed during this battle? ______________________

Battle’s Importance:
a. What country was now safe from a French invasion? ___________________
b. What was shown to be very weak as a result of this battle? ______________________
3. The Continental System:

What countries imports were being blockaded under this system? ____________________
a. What type of war was Napoleon trying to wage against this country? _______________

Why did Napoleon think this system would hurt England’s military efforts against him?

What did Napoleon view a country as if it did not follow this system? _______________

Did this system work? ________
18
4. Battle of Austerlitz: (December 2, 1805) – France v. Austria

Where did this battle take place? ____________________

Who won this battle? _______________________

Treaty of Pressburg (1805):
a. What country had to give some of their land in the Holy Roman Empire to Napoleon?
________________
b. What Empire was officially dissolved as a result of this treaty? _____________________
c. What country did Napoleon create with the land he gained from this treaty?
______________________________________________
5. Confederation of the Rhine: (1806 – 1813)

Who created this country and indirectly controlled it? ___________________________

How could any of the 16 German states within the German Confederation earn
independence (“self rule”) from Napoleon?

What present-day country did the Confederation of the Rhine become? ____________
6. Peninsular War: (1806 – 1814) – France v. Spain, Portugal, and England

Where was this smaller war inside the Napoleonic Wars fought? _____________________

Treaty of Fontainbleau (1806):
a. What two countries split Portugal for themselves under this treaty?

_____________________

_____________________
b. Where did the Portuguese Royal Family run to after this treaty? ___________________
c. When Portuguese family went to Brazil, what movement did they take with them?
________________________
d. How was the continent of South America affected by this?

Once Napoleon tricked the Spanish and seized control of the country in 1808, whom did
Napoleon appoint King of Spain? ______________________
a. Did the people of Spain like King Joseph Bonaparte? ______
19

What three groups fought against Napoleon and Joseph Bonaparte’s control of Spain?
a. ________________________
b. ________________________
c. ________________________
7. Battle of Friedland: (June 14, 1807) – France v. Russia

Where was this battle fought? ______________

Who won this battle? _________________

Treaty of Tilsit (1807):
a. What countries were involved in the signing of this treaty?

________________________

________________________

________________________
b. What two countries joined in a secret alliance under this treaty?

________________________

________________________
c. What system did Russian agree to join and enforce under this treaty?_______________
d. What country gained land under this treaty? ______________________
e. What two countries lost land under this treaty?

________________________

________________________
f. What two countries or areas would Napoleon create with the land gained from this
treaty?

________________________

________________________
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g. What country was the biggest” winner” under this treaty? _____________________
h. What country was the biggest “loser” under this treaty? _____________________
8. Kingdom of Westphalia (1807 – 1813)

What country did this area become part of? ______________________________________

Who was appointed king of this German state? ___________________________________

Who indirectly controlled this area? _____________________________

What present-day country does this area belong to? __________________
9. Duchy of Warsaw: (1807 – 1813)

Who was appointed king of this county? ___________________________________
a. Why him?

Who indirectly controlled this area? _____________________________

What present-day country does this area belong to? __________________
10. Battle of Aspern-Essling: (May 21 – 22, 1809) – France v. Austria and Prussia

Where was this battle fought? __________________

Who won this battle? _____________________________________

What is significant about Napoleon losing this battle?
11. Battle of Wagram: (July 5 – 6, 1809) – France v. Austria

Where was this battle fought? __________________

What country was fighting Napoleon’s French Army in this battle? ____________________

Who won this battle? _____________________

Treaty of Vienna (1809):
a. What country lost a lot of land under this treaty? ___________________
b. Who directly or indirectly controlled all of the areas or countries that gained land under
this treaty? ________________________
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12. Napoleon’s New Marriage: 1810

Why did Napoleon divorce his 1st wife Josephine? ________________________________

Who became Napoleon’s 2nd wife? _____________________________
a. What country was she from? __________________
b. What was her title? _______________________

How many children did they have together? _______________________
a. Why is this important?

What country did France end up in an alliance with as a result of this marriage? _________
a. Why was the rest of Europe so angry about this?
22
Napoleon’s Downfall (1812 – 1815)
1. War of 1812: (1812 – 1815) – U.S. v. England

Causes of this war:
a. What area was England trying to take over that was U.S. land? ____________________
b. Who was the U.S. trading with that angered England? ______________________
c. Who was being forced to be in the Royal Navy when captured at sea?_______________
d. Who was England helping fight U.S. expansion into their homelands? _______________

Who won this war? ________________

Although this war stretched the English military very thin, why did it not affect England in its
effort to defeat Napoleon?
2. Invasion of Russia: (1812 – 1813) – France v. Russia

Who was the King of Russia at the time of Napoleon’s invasion? _____________________
a. What monarchy was he part of? ______________________

What two things caused Russia to stop enforcing the Continental System and break their
alliance with France?
a. ______________________________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________________________

How did Napoleon respond when Russia stopped enforcing the Continental system?
________________________________

As Napoleon invaded, what strategy did the Russian army use? ___________________
a. Explain this policy?
b. How did this policy hurt the French army?

How far did the French Army follow the Russia army into Russia before they decided to
retreat back to France? ________________________
a. What caused them to retreat at this point?
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
As the French retreated they were attacked sporadically by Russian guerilla bands, but what
killed the majority of the French soldiers during this retreat? _____________

How many soldiers did Napoleon have at the start of the Russian invasion? ____________

How many soldiers did Napoleon have at the end of the Russian invasion? ____________

Who started to lose control of their countries, kingdoms, and areas shortly after this failed
invasion? _________________________________
3. Battle of Leipzig: (October 16 – 19, 1813) – France v. Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Sweden

Who won this battle? _______________________________________________________

What is important about this battle? ____________________________________________
4. Napoleon’s 1st Abdication: (April 11, 1814)

Define abdication – ________________________________________________________

What island was Napoleon exiled to after his 1st abdication? __________________
a. Where is this island? ________________________________

How many of his men was he allowed to bring with him? ________________________

Who became the new leader of France after Napoleon’s 1st abdication? ________________
a. What was his title? ____________________
b. What monarchy was restored with his appointment as leader of France? ____________
c. Why did the people of France not like him?
5. Napoleon’s Return From Exile: (March 1, 1815)

How did the people of France respond to his return? _______________________________

What did King Louis XVIII do when Napoleon returned? ___________________________

How long was Napoleon in power after his return from exile? _____________
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6. Battle of Waterloo: (June 16-21, 1815) – France v. England, Russia, Austria, and Prussia

Where was this battle fought? _____________________

Of the countries against Napoleon in this battle, which ones actually fought in the battle?
a. _______________________

b. _______________________
What natural occurrence hurt Napoleon’s ability to fight in this battle? ______________

Who won this battle? _______________________

Who would be completely defeated as a result of this battle? ___________________
7. Napoleon’s 2nd and Final Abdication: (July 15, 1815)

What island was Napoleon exiled to after his 2nd abdication? __________________
a. Where is this island? ________________________________
b. What is the difference between this island and Elba, which is the 1st island he was exiled
to?

Who became the new leader of France after Napoleon’s abdication? __________________
a. What was his title? ____________________
b. What monarchy was restored with his appointment as leader of France? ____________

When and where would Napoleon die?
a. When _______________
b. Where ______________
8. The Congress of Vienna: (November 1, 1814 – June 8, 1815)

What five countries were represented at the Congress of Vienna?
a. _______________________
b. _______________________
c. _______________________
d. _______________________
e. _______________________
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
What was the overall goal of the Congress of Vienna? _____________________________

What did the Congress of Vienna do to all the monarchies that Napoleon ended?

What countries made up the Quadruple Alliance which was to be the “police” of Europe?
a. _______________________
b. _______________________
c. _______________________
d. _______________________

What country was formed from all of the German land? _____________________________
a. Who would be responsible for controlling this country? _______________________
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