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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
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)