History
AOlution
S5
THE RESTORED BOURBON
MONARCHY IN FRANCE
Lesson 96
Developed by (Maxon J.
Kasumba)
50 minutes
Students working in groups
Subtopic
Overview/general summary
Introduction
•
The bourbon monarchy was a monarchy in France which had held power for
over 400 years before the 1789 French revolution. However, during the
revolution, monarchism was abolished and it was replaced with republicanism.
Specific Objectives
•
Analyze the
achievements and
failures of restored
Bourbon leaders
Lesson Objectives
The learners should be
able to;
• Explain what the
restored bourbon
monarchy was
• Identify the restored
bourbon leaders and the
period of their reign
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It should be noted that, it was only in France, among all the European monarchs
where republicanism was embraced. This was until 1814, when napoleon era
came to an end. After which, European powers met in Vienna and objectively
restored monarchism in France under the leadership of Louis XVIII hence, the
restored bourbon monarchy in France.
Linked to other lessons
•
Not linked
Evaluation
At the end of the lesson learners shall be able to:
• Explain what the restored bourbon monarchy was
• Identify the restored bourbon leaders and the period of their reign
June 2011
Terminology
Bourbon monarchy
Vienna congress
powers
Louis XVIII
Charles X
Elba
It was a monarchy which was in power in France for a long time even before the
1789 French revolution under Louis XVI
This was a meeting of European powers which met in Austrian capital, Vienna in
1814-1815 after the defeat of Napoleon.it is the one that restored monarchical
leadership in France under Louis XVIII
He was a brother of Louis XVI. He is the one who was restored as the king of France
in 1814-1824. Thus, he was the first restored king of the bourbons
He was a brother of the late Louis XVIII. He was the second and last king under the
restored bourbon leadership. He ruled from 1824-1830
It’s an island where napoleon was exiled after his first defeat by the European
coalition
Step1
Introduction
Duration: 10 minutes
The teacher introduces the lesson; The Restored Bourbon Monarchy which the teacher introduces
briefly in the introduction (refer to the overview/general summary)
The teacher goes ahead to put the learners in different learning groups, after which, the learners
exchange ideas about the political situation in Europe and France in particular between 1789 and
1814.
How to achieve this learning
Let the learners get in groups of 5
Let each group discuss the political situation in Europe and France in particular between 1789
and 1814.
Thereafter, each group identifies a learner to make a brief presentation of their discussion
Step 2
How to conduct the lesson
Activity 1:
THE RESTORED BOURBON MONARCHY - INTRODUCTION
Duration: 20 minutes
Resources needed : Chalk, duster, notes note-books and pens
Class organization : Groups of 5 - Group presentation and discussion (by students)
Last updated:
June 2011
Instruction to the learners: Let the learners discuss the political situation in Europe and France in
particular between 1789 and 1814.
Method of Evaluation:
Evaluate the learners basing on their ability to identify the course of events in Europe and France in
particular between 1789 and 1814. For instance
The occurrence of the French revolution,
The formation of European coalition to fight and stop the French revolution,
The reign of terror and formation of the directory government,
The rise to power of napoleon Bonaparte,
The continental system and its effects,
The formation of the forth coalition and the defeat of napoleon,
The Vienna congress and the restoration of the bourbon monarchy in France under Louis
XVIII.
NOTE: During this period of time, the learners may also ask any related questions to the teacher
Activity 2:
Teacher gives notes to learners
Duration: 20 minutes
Resources needed: notes about the restored bourbon monarchy in France – introduction
Class organization: normal class session
Instruction to the learners: the learners should take notes as given by the teacher
THE RESTORED BOURBON MONARCHY IN France 1814-1830
The bourbon monarchy was a monarchy in France which had held power for over 400 years before the
1789 French revolution. However, during the revolution, monarchism was abolished and it was
replaced with republicanism.
It should be noted that, it was only in France, among all the European monarchs where republicanism
was embraced. This was until 1814, when Napoleon era came to an end. After which, European powers
met in Vienna and objectively restored monarchism in France under the leadership of Louis XVIII hence,
the restored bourbon monarchy in France.
After the defeat of Napoleon and his 1st exile to the island of Elba (1814), the Vienna Congress powers
restored the Bourbon monarchy in France under Louis Stanislaus Xavier de France who took the title
Louis XVIII. This was in accordance to the principle of Legitimacy by which rightful rulers were to be
restored to their legitimate thrones. Louis XVIII was 60 years and was the eldest brother of King Louis
XVI who was executed in January 1793.
Last updated:
June 2011
Louis XVIII was both intellectually and by character suitable to be a king. He has a lot of common sense
and had learnt a lot from the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era. He was aware of the faults of
his brother that caused his death. He had suffered enough in exile and would never wish to go back. He
therefore stood for a policy of compromise and reconciliation between the new and old order in
France.
However on March 1st, 1815 Napoleon escaped from Elba and landed in Paris with 1100 men. He
received overwhelming ovation and support from the peasants. The soldiers sent to engage him
fraternized when he simply moved forward, opened his coat and asked, “Who of you will fire against
his emperor?” This event forced Louis XVIII to flee to exile once again and Napoleon ruled for 100 more
days.
The allies, who had suffered in the hand of Napoleon, reorganized themselves and defeated Napoleon
at the battle of Waterloo in June 1815. Louis XVIII returned from exile with a charter to rule as a
constitutional king. The support by the French men to Napoleon showed Louis XVIII that the Bourbon
monarchy was no longer fashionable in France. He therefore had no desire to revenge against the
supporters of the previous governments. Although he would have liked to enjoy life as it was in the old
days, he had learnt that the good old days were no more and he was able to let bygones be bygones.
He was therefore ready to accommodate the revolutionary and Napoleonic gains and accepted to rule
by the provisions of the constitutional charter provided by the Vienna peacemakers of 1815.
However, Louis XVIII was too old, ugly, sickly, and died in 1824. He was replaced by his brother Comte
De-Artois who self-styled himself Charles X. Charles X’s unrealistic policies shortened the reign of the
restored Bourbon monarchy and in July 1830, it was overthrown by yet another revolution.
As already noted, the restored Bourbons were not to be absolute monarchs but constitutional ones.
This was provided by the victorious allies in 1814 and became known as the 1814 constitutional
charter. It provided for the following amongst others:
i. Freedom of speech, association, worship and ownership of property
ii. Equality before the law and trial by jury
iii. Parliamentary democracy with two chambers, the chambers of peers and deputies
iv. Equality of all forms of opportunities be it in civil, military or public works
v. Permanent ownership of land and property acquired during the 1789 revolution
vi. The king alone was the head of the administration, army and had the right to conclude
treaties and prepare the bill to be debated in both houses
vii. The white flag was considered the national flag
The significance of the charter was that it recognized the revolutionary and Napoleonic gains in France,
e.g. equality in all circles, freedom of worship, code Napoleon, concordat, etc.
The charter was also not oblivious (unaware) of the principle of divine rights of Kings. It was not
imposed by the people on the king. It was passed over by the king to the people as a matter of grace
and conferred upon him powers over the army, parliament and foreign affairs. The charter was
intended to be a treaty of peace between two parties into which France has been divided, a treaty by
which bother parties yield some of their pretensions in order to work together for the glory of their
country.
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June 2011
This constitution was provided in good faith to make the Bourbon monarchy comfortable in a dynamic
and revolutionary France. However as time went on, the restored Bourbons violated the charter and
pursued unrealistic policies against the interests of the Frenchmen and the European big powers. This
shows that they learnt nothing and forgot nothing from the French Revolution and Napoleon.
Conclusion
In summary of this lesson make sure that the learners should be able to:
•
•
•
Give an account of the events in France from 1789-1814.
Explain what the bourbon monarchy was and the circumstances that led to its restoration in
1814.
Identify the restored bourbon leaders from 1814-1830.
Additional activity:
Give a detailed biography of Louis XVIII
Homework
Method of evaluation: Question/Answer
QUESTION:
1. The restored bourbon leadership in France was to rule by a charter commonly known as the 1814
constitutional charter. Outline its most valuable articles.
ANSWERS:
The 1814 charter provided for the following;
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Freedom of speech, association, worship and ownership of property
Equality before the law and trial by jury
Parliamentary democracy with two chambers, the chambers of peers and deputies
Equality of all forms of opportunities be it in civil, military or public works
Permanent ownership of land and property acquired during the 1789 revolution
The king alone was the head of the administration, army and had the right to conclude treaties
and prepare the bill to be debated in both houses
7. The white flag was considered the national flag
References
1.
Denis Richards(1789-1984) An Illustrated History of Modern Europe– seventh edition .
2.
H.L. Peacock(1789-1981) A history of modern Europe– seventh edition .
3.
Stuart T. Miller ,Modern European history – second edition .
Last updated:
June 2011
Last updated:
June 2011