The French Revolution Begins Ch. 23
What events occurred during the Hundred Days?
-Louis XVII assumed the throne but quickly became unpopular with peasants -Napoleon escaped from the island of Elba, where he was banished, and became emperor of France within days -British & Prussian armies fight Napoleon in a battle at Waterloo in Belgium. After 2 days Napoleon's troops were exhausted and chased off the battlefield by Britain & Prussia -Napoleon was exiled to St. Helena in the South Pacific
What was the National Assembly?
A French congress formed of the bourgeoisie of the Third Estate who wanted changes in the government.
What is a coup d' etat?
A sudden seizure of political power in a nation.
Who was Olympe de Gouges?
A writer who published a declaration of women's rights, but her ideas were rejected and she was eventually executed.
Name the effects the Battle of Trafalgar had on Europe
Ensured the supremacy of Britain's navy for the next 100 years Forced Napoleon to give up plans of invading Great Britain
What percentage of the French population each of thes Estates make up?
First Estate - 1% of the population Second Estate - 2% of the population Third Estate - 97% of the population
Name and describe the three tasks Napoleon has in restoring order to France.
First task: get economy back on track by establishing bank system & tax collection , ending corruption and setting up government run schools (lycees) Second task: improve relations with the Church by recognizing their influence, but not in foreign affairs. Third task: Napoleonic codes; limited liberty, promoted authority
What was the significance of Napoleon crowning himself emperor of France?
He claimed he was more powerful than the Pope.
Who was Klemens von Metternich? Name and describe his goals at the Congress of Vienna.
He was a prince and foreign minister of Austria. -Prevent future French aggression by surrounding France with strong countries -Wanted to restore balance of power so no one country would be a threat to others -Restore Europe's royal families to the thrones that had before the reign of Napoleon (legitimacy)
What did the Legislative Assembly do?
It deposed the king, dissolved the assembly, elected a new legislature and have men the right to vote
Why was the Congress of Vienna viewed as a success? What was its long-term legacy?
It was considered a success because the entire continent has cooperated to control political affairs & the settlements were fair to all countries. It's long term legacy was that it did not sow the seeds for future wars.
What happened to Napoleon at the Battle of Trafalgar?
It was the only major loss Napoleon suffered (it was a naval defeat st sea)
What was the significance of the Tuileries?
It was the palace that was invaded by 20,000 men and women who imprisoned Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and their children.
Describe the Reign of Terror. Who was the leader of it?
Led by Maximilien Robespierre. An attempt to wipe out France's past. Changed the calendar & took out Sundays because religion was considered old-fashioned and dangerous. Closed all churches in Paris and throughout towns all over France. "Enemies" were often tried in the morning and guillotined the same afternoon (over 40,000 killed, mostly peasants)
Describe the events and the outcome of the Battle of Borodino.
Moscow was burned by Alexander I. Napoleon and his troops were caught in Russia during winter and only 10,000 made it out alive.
Describe Napoleon's attempt at building a world empire. What happened as a result & why did he do it?
Napoleon wanted to control Europe & reassert power in the Americas. After the revolution of the sugar planters in Saint Domingue, Napoleon decided to pull out of the Americas and sold the Lousiana Territory to Thomas Jefferson. He re-focused on Europe to expand his empire and annexes Austria, Netherlands & parts of Italy, creating the largest empire since the Romans.
Describe the Great Fear
Panic started after the storming of the Bastille by rumors that nobles were going to hire outlaws to terrorize the peasants so the peasant's reacted with violence against noble's homes.
Name and describe the 3 groups that came from the split of the Legislative Assembly. Which two groups has outside influence?
Radicals - oppose monarchy; want change Moderates - want some changes Conservatives - okay with the monarchy and want few changes Emigres & San-Coulottes had outside influence
Describe the events that led to the storming of the Bastille.
Rumors that troops were going to massacre citizens led the people to gather weapons, form mobs and storm Paris prison (Bastille)
Describe Napoleon Bonaparte's "coup d' etat"?
Surrounded the legislature and drove out the members. Replaced the legislature with a group of 3 consuls. Napoleon took the title of first consul and assumed the powers of a dictator.
Name & describe Napoleon's 3 mistakes he made while Emperor of France
The Continental System - Napoleon's policy to prevent trade between Britain and the rest of Europe in hopes of destroying Britain's economy The Peninsular War - conflict where Spanish rebels & British forces fought to drive Napoleon's forces out of Spain (1808-1813) The Invasion of Russia - Napoleon's most disastrous mistake. As Napoleon advanced, Alexander pulled back and burned the grain fields and slaughtered the livestock so there was nothing for the enemy to eat (scorched-earth policy).
Describe the Declaration of the Rights of Man. Were women included in these rights?
The Declaration of the Rights of Man was influenced by the U.S. Declaration of Independence and were the revolutionary ideas of the National Assembly which promised liberty, property, security, freedom of speech & religion. It did not apply to women.
Describe the First Estate in France
The First Estate was formed by the Roman Catholic who owned 10% of the land in France and provided education and relief services
Who were the Jacobins? Name 2 of their well known members.
The Jacobins were a radical political organization involved with governmental changes. Well known members were Jean-Paul Marat, Georges Danton, Maximilien Robespierre
What role did the National Assmbly play in the Tennis Court Oath?
The broke down a door to an indoor tennis court after they were locked out of their meeting room by the elite.
How were Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette affected by the Great Fear?
The were forced out of the palace and later captured and put under house arrest
What inspired members of the Third Estate? Why did it inspire them and what did they demand as a result?
They were inspired by the American Revolution because it questioned long standing ideas about the structure of society As a result they demanded equality, liberty & democracy
What issues plagued France's economy in the 1780s?
heavy burden of taxes rising cost of living bad weather caused crop failures which caused a food shortage (people faced starvation)
Describe the outcomes of the Congress of Vienna
-Surrounded France with strong countries -Restored the balance of power in Europe -Returned former kings to the throne where Napoleon took over
What was the Estates-General? Why was its meeting significant?
An assembly of representatives from all 3 Estates to approve a new tax. It was the first meeting in 175 years.
Why was Louis XVI considered a weak leader? How did his wife, Marie Antoinette fit into these problems?
Louis was indecisive (couldn't make decisions), didn't pay attention to political advisers, had little patience for governing, and didn't handle money well (no concept of a budget) Marie Antoinette interfered with the government, and spent tax money on gowns, jewels and gambling
Describe the Second Estate in France
The Second Estate was made up of rich nobles who owned 20% of the land in France and paid almost no taxes
Describe the Third Estate in France.
The Third Estate was made up of 3 groups: -bourgeoisie (middle class) were bankers, merchants & skilled artisans -workers in the cities were tradespeople, apprentices & domestic servants -peasants paid about half their income to taxes
Describe the makeup of the French government after Maximilien Robespierre's execution
Moderate government Two house-legislature Five-man executive body New general: Napoleon Bonaparte
