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

• 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.

How did economic conditions increase opposition to government?

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 Estates-General.

• 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 wantedo a written constitutiono to limit the king’s powero elimination of legal privilegeo 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 Estates-General 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

• 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.

How was the Catholic Church changed during the French Revolution?

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

What were the major changes brought about by the Constitution of 1791?

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

What events led up to the collapse of the Old Regime?

The Move to Radicalism

• 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.

Why was there a move to radicalism after 1791?

Napoleon Bonaparte’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

What was Napoleon’s background?

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

What were major milestones in Napoleon’s rise to power?

Understanding Napoleon’s Success

• 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

What personality traits enabled Napoleon to be successful?

Napoleonic Wars, 1799–1812

• 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.

What were highlights of the Napoleonic Wars?

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

• Prevent the British from trading with other European countries

o To weaken the British economyo To hinder Britain’s ability to wage war

What did Napoleon try to do with his Continental System?

Napoleon’s Continental System

• Britain dominated the seas. • Some of Napoleon’s allies traded clandestinely in

British goods.o Smuggled goods entered many North sea

ports.• Other countries resisted participating in Napoleon’s

plan.o 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.

Why did the Continental System fail?

Napoleon’s Rule

• 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?

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:

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

• 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.

What were the conditions in Europe after the fall of Napoleon?