What Is a Revolution?
Revolution: a fundamental change that has occurred
rapidly
Political Revolution: a fundamental and rapid change in
government
Economic Revolution: a fundamental change in how an
economy is structured
Social Revolution: a fundamental change in society and
culture
Economic Conditions Increase Opposition to Government
How did economic conditions increase opposition to
government?
•
Food shortages, rising prices, and unemployment
angered many of the people in France.
•
Citizens were unhappy with the monarchy’s heavy
spending on wars and on personal luxuries.
•
Economic traditions—such as the tax system—
favored the upper class, and the middle class
wanted change and social justice.
France’s Tax System
•
Taxes were based on tradition and custom
•
Taxes were unfairly applied
•
3 important unfair taxes: taille, gabelle,
vingtième
France’s Tax System
Name of tax
Type of tax Why it was unfair
taille
property tax
Paid mostly by
peasants
gabelle
salt tax
Paid only by some
regions; varied by
region
vingtième
income tax
Intended to collect
1/20th of a
person’s income;
paid mostly by
poor and middle
class
The Meeting of the Estates-General
•
In 1789, King Louis XVI convened a meeting of the
French parliament, which was called the EstatesGeneral.
•
The Estates-General, which had not met since
1614, consisted of representatives of France’s
three estates.
•
The king had called the meeting because the
government had run out of money and the king
wanted to change the tax system to raise money.
The Meeting of the Estates-General
•
A radical minority called the Patriots wanted
o
a written constitution
o
to limit the king’s power
o
elimination of legal privilege
o
a representative assembly
•
Members of the Third Estate demanded that the
voting system be changed so that they had as
many votes as the other two estates combined.
The king disagreed.
•
The members of the Third Estate took an oath,
declaring that they would continue to meet until
there was a new constitution.
Cahiers de Doléance
•
When members of the three estates met to
choose their representatives in the EstatesGeneral in 1789, they drew up lists of grievances
called cahiers de doléance.
•
All three estates agreed that there needed to be
major constitutional reform.
•
All three estates wanted a representative
government that would change the absolute
powers of the monarch but not eliminate social
distinctions.
•
The First and Second Estates—the clergy and the
nobility—seemed ready for equality of taxation
and the abolition of censorship.
Cahiers de Doléance
•
The First and Second Estates wanted to keep
religion prominent in society.
•
The peasants mainly had problems with the
privileges of the nobility.
•
Urban inhabitants took issue with specific people
evading taxes, wanted the abolition of certain
tolls, and pushed for bridge repair.
Changes to the Catholic Church in France
How was the Catholic Church changed during the French
Revolution?
•
The National Assembly seized and sold off the
Catholic Church’s lands.
•
The Catholic Church was brought under control of
the state.
•
The hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church
was abolished.
o
Bishops and priests were to be elected by
the people rather than appointed by the
Church hierarchy.
o
Bishops’ and priests’ salaries were to be
paid by the state rather than the Church.
The Constitution of 1791
What were the major changes brought about by the
Constitution of 1791?
•
Set up a limited monarchy: a Legislative Assembly
as well as the king
•
Made a distinction between active citizens, who
could vote, and passive citizens, who could not
•
o
Active citizens were men over 25 who
owned property
o
Passive citizens had equal rights except
for the ability to vote
Provided for election, rather than appointment, of
clergy, government officials, and judges
Collapse of the Old Regime
What events led up to the collapse of the Old Regime?
•
The meeting of the Estates-General
•
The creation of the National Assembly and the
taking of the Tennis Court Oath
•
The Storming of the Bastille
•
The Great Fear
The Move to Radicalism
Why was there a move to radicalism after 1791?
•
There were price increases and economic
shortages.
•
Radicals, such as the sans-culottes, wanted all
men to be able to vote.
•
There were rumors of royalist conspiracies.
•
Louis XVI was opposed to the Constitution of
1791.
•
Parisians were afraid and panicky because of the
political turmoil.
Napoleon Bonaparte’s Background
What was Napoleon’s background?
•
From Corsica and of Italian descent
•
Family was minor nobility but not wealthy
•
Won a scholarship to a famous military school
•
Was unpopular with his fellow officers early in his
military career
Napoleon’s Rise to Power
What were major milestones in Napoleon’s rise to power?
•
Rose quickly through the ranks—from captain in
1792 to commander in 1796
•
Won battles early on in southern France, defeating
royalist forces supported by the British
•
Took control of France’s army in Italy and defeated
Austrian troops repeatedly
•
Overthrew the French government in a coup d’état
in 1799
•
Gained absolute power; made himself emperor in
1804
Understanding Napoleon’s Success
What personality traits enabled Napoleon to be
successful?
•
Was dedicated and acted decisively
•
Was intelligent: studied famous military campaigns
to learn from others
•
Was ambitious and worked hard
•
Inspired loyalty amongst his troops
•
Spoke well and with confidence
Napoleonic Wars, 1799–1812
What were highlights of the Napoleonic Wars?
•
During the first phase, France defeated Austria
several times and made peace with Britain in 1802.
•
France and Britain began fighting again in 1803,
with victories by the British navy making a French
invasion of Britain impossible.
•
Napoleon then fought a coalition of countries on
the European continent and won brilliant victories
at Ulm, Austerlitz, Jena, and Friedland from 1805
to 1807.
Napoleonic Wars, 1799–1812
•
From 1808 to 1812, Napoleon was less successful.
His efforts to defeat Portugal and Spain were
thwarted by British support for his opponents.
•
After invading Russia in 1812, Napoleon and his
troops were forced to retreat in brutally cold
conditions. Napoleon lost 500,000 soldiers in
Russia.
Napoleon’s Continental System
What did Napoleon try to do with his Continental System?
•
Prevent the British from trading with other
European countries
o
To weaken the British economy
o
To hinder Britain’s ability to wage war
Napoleon’s Continental System
Why did the Continental System fail?
•
Britain dominated the seas.
•
Some of Napoleon’s allies traded clandestinely in
British goods.
o
•
Other countries resisted participating in Napoleon’s
plan.
o
•
Smuggled goods entered many North sea
ports.
Portugal and Sweden refused to join.
Britain found trade markets outside Europe.
o
The Middle East and Latin America were new
outlets for British goods.
Napoleon’s Rule
Reflect on what you have learned about Napoleon’s rule
as emperor of France. Then, as a homework assignment,
write a reflective essay evaluating his rule. Use the
following questions as a guide in crafting your essay:
•
What personal qualities did Napoleon have that
inspired others to follow him?
•
After crowning himself Emperor Napoleon I, what
did Napoleon do regarding the Catholic Church?
What were the effects of this action?
•
How did Napoleon change the French legal system?
What were the effects of the changes?
Napoleon’s Rule
•
What were Napoleon’s ideas about the new
aristocracy? On what basis did he select people for
jobs in his administration?
•
Were women better off or worse off under
Napoleon’s rule? Why?
•
In what ways were countries conquered by
Napoleon affected by Napoleon’s policies?
Europe After Napoleon
What were the conditions in Europe after the fall of
Napoleon?
•
The Napoleonic Wars had ended.
•
European countries had developed strong spirits of
nationalism.
•
Monarchies were restored in accordance with the
principle of legitimacy.
•
There was relative peace and stability although
political freedoms were reduced.
•
The great powers rearranged territories to create a
balance of power.
•
The philosophy of conservatism prevailed.