Lesson 3
Lecture Notes
Review Questions
How did Jews get to Europe?
 What factors influenced Jewish life in
Europe before the French Revolution?
 What was Jewish life like prior to the
French Revolution?
 What kind of identity do you think Jews
had prior to the French Revolution?

The French Revolution
Were the French Revolution and
Napoleon Bonaparte Good for
the Jews?
Causes of the French Revolution I

Humanism – asserts the dignity and worth
of people and their capacity for selfrealization through reason.

Rationalism – reason is the source of
knowledge.
Causes of the French Revolution II

Louis XIV
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
Financial difficulties
Administrative
Difficulties
Louis XVI


Raise taxes!
1789 - Calls session of
the Estates General
Louis XVI
Causes of the French Revolution III

Estates General



Consultative assembly
Not met since 1614
3 Estates



First Estate – Clergy
Second Estate –
Nobility
Third Estate – Middle
class, workers,
peasants

Tensions Between
Estates



Nobility – more power
Peasants – fewer taxes
Middle Class – fewer
restrictions on trade
The French Revolution

National Assembly (1789-1791)



Established by Third Estate
Purpose: National Constitution
Storming of the Bastille


New Flag (red, white, and blue)
Marquis de Lafayette
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the
Citizen (August 26, 1789)
Article I. All men are born and remain, free and equal in
rights: social distinctions cannot be found but on common
utility…
10. No person shall be molested for his opinions, even such as
are religious, provided that the manifestation of these
opinions does not disturb the public order established by
law.
Jewish Emancipation

Definition: Generally used to designate the
legal process, which began in Europe with
the French Revolution, of granting to the
Jews equal civic rights in the countries in
which they reside.

The Emancipation of the Jews of France
(September 28, 1791)
A French Jew Supports Emancipation

Introduction to primary sources



What is a primary source?
Basis for class project
Will examine a letter written by a French Jew
to his congregation on the same day that the
Jews were emancipated.

Model for working with primary sources
Continuing Problems in France



War with Prussia &
Austria
Execution of Louis XVI &
Reign of Terror
Napoleon Bonaparte
declares himself
Emperor
Preview
The Spread of the French Revolution
 Emancipation in the rest of Europe
 Was Napoleon good for the Jews?
