Chapter 12

Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette, lived in Versailles Palace in France

People thought Marie Antoinette spent money too freely while they suffered and that Louis XVI was a weak king

King Louis XVI ruled as an absolute monarch

France practiced feudalism Population divided into 3 estates

First Estate Clergy (high position in church)

Authority over peasants Did not pay taxes or tithes

Second EstateNobles

Paid little taxes or tithes Land owners Authority over peasants

Third Estate Divided into 2 groups:▪ Bourgeoisie (wage earners)▪Many were wealthier, but not as high in social status as nobles

▪ Peasants▪Made up 90% of population▪Had to pay taxes and tithes▪Could not own land▪Could not influence laws

1. Division of the Estates2. Money

• France was bankrupt from wars, palace, and corruption

• Many people blamed Marie-Antoinette for problems

• 1st & 2nd Estate refused to pay taxes

3. Bad Harvest Bad weather led to no food Peasants had smaller incomes but food

prices rose Unemployment Starvation

4. Enlightenment Ideas- Philosophers inspired ordinary people

to control their own government- Inspired by the American Revolution

5. Estates General Meeting• Louis XVI wanted to reform taxes• He was not prepared for the meeting• Estates came up with their own ideas

This led to the beginning of the Revolution…

Third Estate declared themselves a “National Assembly”

3rd Estate tired of arguing about voting rights

Created a constitutionPledged the Tennis Court Oath not to

leave until demands were met1st and 2nd Estate became part of the

National Assembly

The people were afraid that King Louis XVI was going to try to drive the National Assembly out

Captured and destroyed the Bastille prison as a symbol of the revolution

Became violent = “Great Fear”- destroying nobles houses and churches

National Assembly outlawed the tithe, feudal dues, and privileges of the First and Second Estates

Created the Declaration of Rights of Man which stated: Men are born equal Gave freedom of speech, press, and religion Fair trial “life, liberty, and fraternity” Did not apply to women

Divided country into departments- local governments

Seized lands owned by Catholic church and sold to public

Reformed catholic church

Created a limited constitutional monarchy

Created 3 branches of government National Assembly replaced by

Legislative Assembly King Louis agreed to constitution but

secretly plotted to overthrow government and restore Old Regime

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were caught and eventually beheaded

Constitution lasted less than 1 year Weak executive and inexperienced

legislature Legislative Assembly became divided

into 3 groups: Conservatives- against the revolution; did

not like change Radicals- wanted the revolution; for

change Moderates- side varied on issue

National Convention Replaced the Legislative Assembly Responsible for writing new constitution Elected by universal manhood suffrage (all

males could vote) Divided into 3 groups:▪ Girondins- republicans/conservatives/ against

revolution▪ Jacobins- radicals/ for revolution▪ Leaders: Danton, Robespierre, Marat

▪ No extreme views

1793-1794 Committee of Public Safety set up to protect

France but taken over by Jacobins Government suppressed counter-

revolutionaries (against revolution) Executed if against Revolution – Marie

Antoinette was killed along with many peasants and bourgeoisie

Terror ended when Robespierre was arrested and beheaded

Wealthy middle class took control of National Convention

Committee of Public Safety Create a democratic republic where

people would act according to principles of good citizenship

Created schools Wage and price control Address human rights Abolished slavery Encouraged religious tolerance

Created by the National Convention Two-House Legislature▪ Upper house selected executive branch▪ 5 individuals called Directors

Eliminated universal manhood suffrage allowing only property owners right to vote

Existed for 4 years

Great French war general who seized power in France in 1799 through a coup d'état

Formed a dictatorshipThe Consulate- 1st 5 years of

Napoleon’s rule

First Consul (head of government)Created a strong army and navyHad people vote for new constitution

in plebiscite (yes or no vote)

1. Napoleonic Code- organized French law

2. Bank of France3. Public Education 4. Established Concordat- recognized

that most French people were Catholic but allowed religious freedoms

Napoleon’s supporters wanted his position to be permanent and hereditary

Voted to make France an Empire and Napoleon an Emperor

Napoleon conquered and dominated much of Europe

Placed monarchs in countries he conquered

Increased Nationalism (love for one’s country)

Napoleon tried to conquer Russia but was defeated with the scorched-earth policy

Other monarchs took advantage of this defeat to gain back territory

Napoleon forced out of FranceReturned for a period called

“Hundred Days” but failed as ruler again