Name__________________________________ Period_____ Date_____________Global 10 Pre-IB Newman

AIM: How did the rise of radicalism change the course of the French Revolution?

The Reign of Terror Comes to an EndThe first three years of the French Revolution were free of war. That changed in April 1792 when Girondin

deputies instigated a revolutionary war with France’s neighbour Austria. Some claimed this war was necessary to ‘save the revolution’ from external threats; others hoped to ‘export’ the revolution and challenge absolutist monarchies elsewhere in Europe. Whatever their motives, the French Revolutionary Wars would have a profound effect on the new society. They would shape the course of European history, these wars rolling one into the other and lasting for a decade (more than two decades if one counts the Napoleonic Wars that followed). At various times, the French Revolutionary Wars involved almost every significant European power: Britain, Austria, Prussia, Spain, Holland, Russia, the Italian states and others. 

Over the course of the Revolution, conflict existed within France as well. Members of the Third Estate were pitted against the elitist nobles and clergy members who feared for their lives as the underclass rose up and took revenge. There were even divisions within the Third Estate. Some revolutionaries called for swift radical change and a complete demolition of the Old Regime, even if it meant using violence to achieve these means. Other revolutionaries assumed a more moderate approach, calling for gradual changes in society. Robespierre’s Reign of Terror (1793-1794) further divided the French people as the Committee of Public Safety executed tens of thousands of French people deemed “enemies of the Revolution”. Robespierre feared that he was losing supporters and in turn, he sought to remove anyone deemed disloyal to the Revolution.

Unfortunately for Robespierre, the French people eventually rose up and put a stop to the terror. On July 27, 1794, Robespierre and his allies were placed under arrest by the National Assembly. Armed supporters arrived to aid him, but he refused to lead a new insurrection. When he received word that the National Convention had declared him an outlaw, he shot himself in the head but only succeeded in wounding his jaw. Shortly thereafter, troops of the National Convention attacked the Hotel de Ville and seized Robespierre and his allies. The next evening–July 28–Robespierre and 21 others were guillotined without a trial. During the next few days, another 82 Robespierre followers were executed. The Reign of Terror had come to an end.

Adapted from: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/robespierre-overthrown-in-france

1) Why did France fight wars with other European nations during the course of the French Revolution?

2) Describe two examples of internal division (within France) during the Revolution. Why do you think these divisions existed?

What’s next for France?…the Revolution?

…France’s government?

A New French Government is Installed…Yet Again…..

A New Era for France: The Rise of Napoleon BonapartENapoleon Bonaparte was born on the island of Corsica (a

Mediterranean islanded located near France and Italy) in 1769. He was the son of a noble. In 1784, Napoleon won a scholarship to the elite military training college in Paris. In 1785, at the age of 16, Napoleon became second lieutenant in the military.

Napoleon became sympathetic to the French Revolution in 1789. In the Battle of Toulon in 1793, Napoleon led a victorious attack on a royalist (group that supported the return of French monarchy) fort and was then promoted and placed in charge of defending France’s interior. In 1796, Napoleon married Josephine Beauharnais. He was then put in charge of the French army fighting the Austrians in Italy. Between 1796 and 1797, Napoleon re-organized the French Army and inspired the French soldiers to continue fighting. France went on to win several great victories over the Austrians and the Italians. Napoleon’s victories not only kept France’s borders safe but also won territory for France.

Napoleon turned his attention to Egypt next. He hoped to disrupt British trade and in 1798, Napoleon took the whole French Fleet across the Mediterranean Sea and attacked Egypt. During this time, Napoleon captured the island of Malta and conquered much of Egypt. However, the British defeated Napoleon at the Battle of the Nile. Following his defeat in Egypt, Napoleon left his army under the command of another officer, and returned to Paris in August of 1799. Napoleon kept his defeat out of the press and exaggerated France’s successes, thus making him a national hero.

On November 11th 1799, Napoleon seized control of France in a coup d’état (military takeover of power). Following the coup, a new constitution was introduced, and Napoleon was made First Consul of France. On December 2nd, 1804, in the presence of the Pope, Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France. Adapted from: https://www.history.com/topics/france/napoleon

(3) Directions: On the timeline below, select 3 important events or achievements from Napoleon’s life and include them in your timeline.

The Directory

1769 1804