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American Revolution (April 1775 - September 1783)

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American Revolution (April 1775 - September 1783)

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The American Revolution would provide inspiration for the French Revolution.

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Poor harvests would eventually to a famine that would impact the third estate the most strongly.

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The societal structure of French society, that was created in the middle ages. It broke French society into three estates.

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“What is the Third Estate?” by Abbe Sieyes (Jan 1789)

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“What is the Third Estate?” by Abbe Sieyes (Jan 1789)

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Abbe Sieyes writes a pamphlet questioning the placement of the Third Estate in French society.

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Louis XVI, upon Jacques Necker’s recommendation, calls the General-Estate (for the first time in 100 years) to try and tax the first and second estates. The first month is spent trying to decide how voting would work.

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After weeks of stalemate at the Estates-General, members of the third estate declare themselves the National Assembly and pledge the Tennis Court Oath. This oath promised that they would continue to meet until a constitution was established.

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Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789)

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Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789)

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A mob storms the Bastille, a prison that once represented the oppression of the monarchy, hoping to free prisoners and loot gun powder. Only 7 prisoners were inside and no gun powder was taken.

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“Great Fear” (July 1789 - September 1789)

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“Great Fear” (July 1789 - September 1789)

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Much panic was caused as the political crisis and famine coincided. Peasants stole crops, set fire to old manor records, and anger against the ancient regime was high.

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Declaration of the Rights of Man (August 1789)

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Declaration of the Rights of Man (August 1789)

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Modeled after the Declaration of Independence, this document abolished feudalism, and guaranteed the rights of the French people.

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6,000 women marched on Versailles, in an effort to have the King realize their suffering. They were especially angry with Marie Antoinette and her extravagant lifestyle while their own children starved.

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The National Assembly produced this document, which set up a limited monarchy. For moderate reforms, the Constitution marked the end of the French Revolution.

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The emperor of Austria and the King of Prussia signed the declaration of Pilnitz supporting Louis XVI and threatening to go to war against France if something happened to the French monarches.

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European rulers feared the revolution would spread to their country, with many emigres fueling the fire with their tales of attacks by the revolutionary government.

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Legislative Assembly Takes Office (October 1791)

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Legislative Assembly Takes Office (October 1791)

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The Legislative Assembly finally takes office, but the assignats (French currency) fail in value, causing inflation. Eventually the Jacobins will take power.

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A period of 10 months, where terror was invoked by the Committee on Public Safety, lead by Robespierre. Around 50,000 people were executed. Robespierre is deemed ‘incorruptible.’

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After Jacobins gain political power, in hopes to promote patriotism, they declare war on Austria, Britain, Prussia, and other states over the Declaration of Pilnitz.

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Marie Antoinette is executed (October 1793)

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Marie Antoinette is executed (October 1793)

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She appealed to all mothers during her trail. Her last words were an apology to the executioner after stepping on his foot.

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Marked as the “Thermidorean Reaction,” Robespierre’s death is the end of the Reign of Terror. There was a steep decline in executions.

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The third stage of the French Revolution, under the Directory France made peace with Prussia and Spain and continued fighting Austria and Great Britain.

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By staging a coup d’etat within a coup, Napoleon was able to overthrow the Directory and set up a three-man governing board known as the Consulate. This exchange of power was completely bloodless.

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Napoleon Bonaparte was a military hero who rose quickly through the army. He was born in Italy but eventually embraced French culture.

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This ends dechristianization of France. However, Napoleon makes sure that his power as head of state is higher then the church’s power.

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By holding a plebiscite, he is ‘voted’ in as a consul for life.

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Napoleon crowns himself, inviting the Pope to the coronation but not allowing the Pope to crown him. He views himself has more powerful then the church.

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The Battle of Trafalger ended Napoleon’s plans to invade Britain after the British navy smashed the French fleet at the Iberian peninsula.  This begins Napoleon’s Continental system to close European ports to British goods.

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The tsar of Russia initially supported Napoleon but ended up withdrawing from the Continental System. As a result, Napoleon invaded Russia. However, Russia employed a scorched-earth policy that made it impossible for Napoleon’s army to survive. Napoleon was forced to retreat with a fraction of his men.

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Quadruple Alliance and the Battle of Nations (1813)

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Quadruple Alliance and the Battle of Nations (1813)

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Russia, Britain, Prussia, and Austria formed an alliance against France after Napoleons defeat in Russia. Napoleon was once again defeated by this alliance in the Battle of Nations (Battle of Leipzig).

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After his defeat at the Battle of Nations, Napoleon abdicated and Louis XVII was recognized as the king of France.

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Louis XVIII’s return rekindled fears of the old regime and Napoleon escaped his exile, returning to France in triumph.

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Battle of Waterloo, Belgium (18 June 1815)

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Battle of Waterloo, Belgium (18 June 1815)

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Napoleon’s return to power only lasted 100 days and ended when British and Prussian forces defeated him at this Battle. He was forced to abdicate once again and was exiled to St.Helena’s island.

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Created the Congress of Vienna, which created a balance of power, protected the system of monarchy and prevented French expansion.  The ultimate goal of this meeting was to promote peace and support the principles of legitimacy.