french revolution. the french revolution and napoleon background: 1700s france considered most...
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French Revolution
The French Revolution and Napoleon
Background: 1700s France considered most advanced country in Europe
Center of EnlightenmentLarge pop., prosperous foreign tradeUnrest caused by high prices, taxes, and
questions raised by Rousseau and Voltaire
I. Social Order—Old Regime
Feudalism still there from the Middle Ages1st Estate: Clergy 1% of population most
privileges/no taxes owned 10% of land in France
2nd Estate: nobles-military 2% of population/some rights and some taxes
3rd Estate: Bourgeoisie (merchants, artisans, educated)—middle class, /no rights/all taxes 97% of population (peasants)
I. Reasons for resentment and discontent
Privileges for the upper estatesHeavy taxesDeficit spending-spend more than you take
in: debtPoor harvestsFailures of reforms
Forces of Change
Enlightenment Ideas: New ideas spread fast w/3rd EstateBegan questioning structure of society
“equality, liberty, and democracy”Success of American Revolution is an
inspirationRousseau and Voltaire discussed
The Estates-General
Voting process—each estate gets 1 vote—normally 1st and 2nd estates vote together, always outnumbering the 3rd estate
National Assembly—formed by the Third Estate to represent the people of France (First deliberate act of revolution—3 days after forming locked out of meeting room)
Tennis Court Oath: National Assembly vowed to write a constitution for France (eventually some member of the other estates joined them and estates-general disbanded
French Revolution
Louis XVI tried to make peace and ordered nobles and clergy to join 3rd Estate N.A.
A rumor started that foreign troops were coming to massacre the French people
People gathered weaponsJuly 14, 1789: Mob wanted gun powder @ the
Bastille—this is known as: Storming of the Bastille-prison fortress—overwhelmed king’s soldiers—symbolic act of Revolution
Great Fear
Rebellion SpreadWave of senseless panic rolled through
FrancePeasants broke into nobles manor houses and
tore papers binding themOct. 1789: about 6000 women rioted over
price of breadMarched on Versailles, broke in, killed 2
guards, demanded King and Queen come to Paris, did and did not return
Signaled the change of power and radical reforms to come
Stages of the Revolution
Moderate Phase: National Assembly (limited const. monarchy)
Radical Phase: Reign of Terrorreturn to moderation Directory: against
extremismDictator: Age of Napoleon
Moderate Phase-National Assembly
Declaration of the Rights of ManSimilarities to the American Declaration of
Ind. All men equal Natural rights Equal above the law
Specific rights listed—(did not apply to women) Right to hold public office Freedom of religion Taxes based on income for everyone
Slogan: “Liberty, equality, fraternity”
Accomplishments of Women
Forced Louis XVI, wife and son to move back to Paris!!!!
Constitution of 1791
Type of government: limited constitutional monarchy
Power of the new Legislative Assembly: make laws, collect taxes, decide on issues of war and peace
War in Europe
War in Europe will distract the focus War with:
Austria Prussia Britain
Legislative Assembly declared war on Austria (April 1792); Prussia joined Austria; Louis, Marie Antoinette and children imprisoned
Legislative Assembly dissolved their assembly, new election
The Radical Phase--Revolution
Leaders: San-culottes: working class (wanted more voice in
gov’t, lower food prices and end food shortages) Jacobins: middle class; intellectuals radical change;
wanted to remove king and establish a republic; influenced Louis fate—tried for treason, death by guillotine
Seating arrangements: Conservatives=right, Moderates=middle,
Radicals=left
1792 Radicals Take Over The Legislative Assembly
They called for the creation of a new legislative body
National Convention Controlled By Jacobins
Granted suffrage to all malesFrance = A Republic (people elect rulers)
No more Monarchy! A new constitution needed Louis XVI tried for treason Convicted/Sentenced to death Marie Antoinette put to death Louis XVII died in prison
National Convention Divides
Jacobins Radicals
Girondists Conservatives
National Convention Created Committee of Public Safety—(directed war effort)
12 Member CommitteeLed by Robespierre—a Jacobin
Started the REIGN OF TERROR Attempt by the Jacobins to crush all opposition July 1793-July 1794; during Robepierre’s rule—
decided who were enemies of the Republic Enemies were generally those who challenged his
leadership 3,000 in Paris, 40,000 total, 85% peasants
National Convention Turned Against the Committee
July 1794—members of the National Convention knew they were not safe from Robespierre, so they turned on him—demanded “Down with the tyrant!”
Robespierre Executed
Third Stage:Moderates Take Over the Gov’t
A new constitution writtenEstablished the Directory—(executive
council) 5 Men in Power 2 house Legislature, but elected only by male property
owners
Directory
WeakDictatorialFaced Growing Discontent
People Turned To A Military Hero
Napoleon BonaparteOverthrew the Directory—coup d’etatEstablished the Consulate
3 Man Governing Body Wrote a new constitution (actually a dictatorship)
1804—Napoleon = Emperor
To make people feel involved he offered PLEBICITES (pop. Vote)
Successful reforms made him popular Napoleonic Code (French Law under Napoleon-pg575)
Napoleon Abroad
Plan to dominate Europe—Continental System—(Napoleon’s first mistake)
Struggled with Britain and France Seized neutral trading ships—especially from the U.S. Led to War of 1812
Napoleon placed economic blockades on Britain, but failed to recognize smugglers as a problem
Britain will respond with its own blockade—stop any ship search and tax—U.S. will be angry
Battle of Trafalgar
Continental System cont…
As Napoleon moved eastward, the ideas of liberalism and revolution spread with him—philosophy encouraging political reform Many rulers across Europe will resent Napoleon Strong resistance from Spain during the Peninsular
Campaign—they used Guerilla-warfare against the French
Peninsular War: Portugal ignoring Continental System; Napoleon sent army through Spain to invade Portugal
Spanish towns protested, Napoleon threw out king and put his brother on the throne
Peninsular War
Catholic NationGuerillas sent to ambush the French—lasted
5 yearsNapoleon lost 300,000 men!(Second Mistake!!!)
Invasion of Russia—(third mistake)
Breakdown in alliance with Russia Alexander I refused to stop selling grain to Portugal Both wanted Poland Napoleon decided to invade Russia Problem: Grand Army=men from all over Europe with little
loyalty to Napoleon Russians used scorched-earth policy as they retreated further
into Russia Napoleon over-extended his supply lines Extremely harsh Russian winter
Battle of Borodino
Seesaw battleAlexander I retreatedNapoleon took Moscow, but it was already
burningNapoleon waited for peace offeringToo late to advance/retreat—OctoberNapoleon turned back, snow in NovemberRussian raiders attacked Napoleon’s army 10,000 left to fight when returned to Russia
Napoleon’s Downfall
Fourth Coalition: British, Russia, Prussia and Sweden joined to fight Napoleon
Austria joined (Napoleon’s wife’s country)All main powers of EuropeBattle of Leipzig: tore Napoleon’s new army up!Paris taken—March 1814 by Russian czar and
Prussian kingSurrendered: April 1814Napoleon exiled to Elba—Mediterranean IslandLouis XVIII (brother to Louis XVI) placed on
throne
Napoleon Returns!
New king unpopular, inspired NapoleonFear of a return to the Old Regime rekindled
loyalty to NapoleonLouis XVIII fledNapoleon battled against foreign enemies in
Waterloo, Belgium 1815 Napoleon defeated He abdicated again Exiled again—to St. Helena (South Atlantic island) Died in 1821
Napoleon’s legacy
Napoleonic Code Constitution Elections, but with limited suffrage More property ownership More access to education Spread ideas of the revolution Unsuccessful attempt to unify Europe under French
domination Awakening of feelings of national pride and growth of
nationalism
European Peace—Congress of Vienna 1814
Chief Goal: to create lasting peace by establishing a balance of power
8 months long5 “great powers”
King Frederick William III of Prussia Czar Alexander I of Russia Emperor Francis I of Austria British foreign minister French foreign minister
Prince Klemens von Metternich
Foreign minister of Austria3 goals to maintain a balance of power and
stability: Prevent future French aggression by surrounding
France with strong armies=containment (p 216) Created the Concert of Europe—peacekeeping
organization (kept peace in Europe until WWI 1914) Restore Europe’s royal families to thrones=leaders
promoted legitimacy
Legacy of the Congress of Vienna
“Balance of power” doctrineRestoration of monarchiesNew political map of EuropeNew political philosophies (liberalism,
conservatism)
Revolution in Latin America
Ferdinand VII restored to Spanish throne by Congress
Clashes erupted quicklyPeninsulares: born in Spain, in colonies;
wanted to restore their power and controlCreoles: retain and expand powers they had
seized; Revolts broke out against king in Spanish America
Mexico remained loyal to FerdinandSpanish king tightened control of Spain and
Americas
Haiti
Contributions of Toussaint L’OuvertureFormer slave who led Haitian rebellion
against FrenchDefeated the armies of three foreign powers:
Spain, France, and BritainSlaves in Haiti rebelled, abolished slavery,
and won independence.
Bolivia/Venezuela
Contributions of Simón BolivarNative resident who led revolutionary effortsLiberated the northern areas of Latin
America
Revolution in Latin America cont…
Mexico revolted out of anger and threw off Spain’s control
Father Miguel Hidalgo started the Mexican independence movement.
Portugal revolted and got independence!
How did the Monroe Doctrine impact revolutions in Latin America?
Impact of the Monroe DoctrineThe Monroe Doctrine was issued by President
James Monroe in 1823.Latin American nations were acknowledged
to be independent.The United States would regard as a threat to
its own peace and safety any attempt by European powers to impose their system on any independent state in the Western Hemisphere.