The French Revolution and Napoleon Review

What economic and social conditions contributed to the French Revolution?

France had severe debt, an unfair tax system, food shortages, rising bread prices, and major inequality between the social classes. The Third Estate paid most taxes while the clergy and nobility had privileges.

Why did Louis XVI call the Estates-General in 1789?

France was facing a serious financial crisis and the government needed to raise money and change the tax system.

How did the National Assembly form, and what was the Tennis Court Oath?

The Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly because it believed it represented the people of France. Members took the Tennis Court Oath, promising not to separate until France had a constitution.

How did people react when the National Assembly was threatened?

Many people feared the king would use troops to stop the Revolution, so they supported the National Assembly. This helped lead to events such as the Storming of the Bastille.

How did different groups in French society react to the Revolution?

Radicals/Jacobins wanted major revolutionary change and equality; liberals wanted change but opposed extreme violence; moderates wanted a limited constitutional monarchy; reactionaries/monarchists wanted to restore absolute monarchy.

Who were the major groups in the French political spectrum, and what did each want for France?

Radicals/Jacobins wanted major revolutionary change, equality, and an end to monarchy; liberals wanted political change but generally opposed extreme violence; moderates/constitutionalists wanted a limited constitutional monarchy; reactionaries/monarchists wanted to restore the absolute monarchy.

Why did the Revolution become more radical?

Radicals believed the Revolution was not going far enough. Foreign threats, war, economic problems, and fear of enemies inside France caused revolutionary leaders to take more extreme actions.

What did the Constitution of 1791 change about France's government?

It created a limited constitutional monarchy. The king could enforce laws but could no longer rule with absolute power, while the Legislative Assembly made laws.

Why was the Legislative Assembly created?

The Constitution of 1791 created a new legislative body to make laws, replacing the National Assembly.

How did Louis XVI's attempted escape affect the Revolution?

Louis XVI and his family attempted to flee France but were captured at Varennes and returned to Paris. This made revolutionaries believe the king could not be trusted and might be working against the Revolution.

What were the Declaration of Pillnitz and Brunswick Manifesto, and how did they affect France?

Austria and Prussia threatened to protect the French monarchy. The threats increased revolutionary anger and made French citizens more suspicious of Louis XVI.

How did foreign intervention affect the French monarchy and government?

Foreign threats and war made revolutionaries believe Louis XVI was helping France's enemies. The monarchy was eventually overthrown, the king's power was suspended, and France became a republic in 1792.

What was the National Convention and what did it do?

The National Convention replaced the Legislative Assembly. It abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic.

What was the political spectrum during the French Revolution?

The left generally supported change and revolution, while the right generally supported tradition and the old system. Radicals were farther left, moderates were in the middle, and reactionaries were farther right.

Who were the Jacobins and what did they want?

The Jacobins were radical revolutionaries who wanted major political and social change, including an end to monarchy and greater equality.

Why did the Jacobins criticize the Girondins?

The Jacobins believed the Girondins were not radical enough and were too unwilling to use violence to defend the Revolution.

What was the Committee of Public Safety and why was it created?

The Committee of Public Safety was created in 1793 to protect the Revolution from foreign enemies and people inside France who opposed it. It became the powerful governing body during the Reign of Terror.

Who was Maximilien Robespierre?

Robespierre was a leading Jacobin and leader of the Committee of Public Safety. He believed extreme measures were necessary to protect the Revolution.

What was the Reign of Terror and why did Robespierre support it?

The Reign of Terror was a period from 1793–1794 when revolutionary leaders executed thousands of people considered enemies of the Revolution. Robespierre believed terror was necessary to protect the Revolution.

How did the Reign of Terror affect French society?

People became suspicious and afraid of one another. Neighbors, friends, and family members could be accused of being enemies of the Revolution. Thousands were executed, and people eventually grew tired of the violence and paranoia.

What changes did revolutionaries make to religion and French society?

Revolutionaries tried to reduce the influence of the Catholic Church. Notre Dame was renamed the Temple of Reason, the calendar was changed, Sundays were removed, and days, months, and years were renamed.

How did the National Convention stop Robespierre?

People became tired of the violence and believed Robespierre had become too powerful. The National Convention arrested him in 1794, and he was executed.

What was the Directory and why was it created?

The Constitution of 1795 created the Directory, a government led by five directors. It was created as a reaction to the Reign of Terror and was designed to prevent another dictator from gaining too much power.

Why was the Directory weak?

The Directory had a weak executive branch and was slow to respond to crises. France continued to face wars, economic problems, and unrest, giving monarchists and other opponents opportunities to challenge the government.

Who was Napoleon Bonaparte and how did he rise to power?

Napoleon was a French military leader who attended military school and became a general at a young age. His military victories made him popular, and he eventually used a coup d'état to take control of France.

What happened during Napoleon's First Italian Campaign?

Napoleon successfully led French forces against Austria in northern Italy, crossing the Alps and defeating Austrian forces. His victories increased his reputation as a military leader.

What was Napoleon's Egyptian Campaign and the Battle of the Nile?

Napoleon invaded Egypt partly to disrupt Britain's trade route to India. British Admiral Horatio Nelson defeated the French fleet at the Battle of the Nile, destroying French supply ships and weakening Napoleon's campaign.

What was Napoleon's coup d'état of 1799?

Napoleon and two directors overthrew the existing government. He created the Constitution of Year VIII and established the Consulate, with Napoleon as First Consul and the most powerful leader.

What was the Consulate?

The Consulate was the government Napoleon created in 1799. It had three consuls, but Napoleon, as First Consul, held most of the power, making the system essentially a dictatorship.

What reforms did Napoleon make in France?

Napoleon created public schools, focused education on math, science, and engineering, allowed some émigrés to return, restored the Catholic Church, and created the Napoleonic Code.

What was the Napoleonic Code?

The Napoleonic Code was a uniform system of laws for France. It established equality for citizens before the law and religious tolerance for Jews, although it also limited some rights.

Was Napoleon an Enlightenment ruler?

Napoleon supported some Enlightenment ideas, such as logic, reason, equality before the law, and religious tolerance. However, he also used secret police, eliminated political rivals, and ruled with concentrated power.

How did Napoleon become Emperor?

Napoleon continued gaining power and was crowned Emperor in 1804. He strengthened his control over France and created an empire across much of Europe.

What was Napoleon's coup d'oeil?

Coup d'oeil means "strike of the eye." It describes Napoleon's ability to quickly study a battlefield, identify weaknesses, and decide where to attack.

What happened at the Battle of Austerlitz?

In 1805, Napoleon defeated Austrian and Russian forces at Austerlitz. It was one of his greatest victories and demonstrated his skill as a military commander.

What was the Confederation of the Rhine?

Napoleon reorganized German states into the Confederation of the Rhine. These states were aligned with or controlled by Napoleon, increasing French influence in Europe and contributing to the end of the Holy Roman Empire.What was Napoleon's nepotism?

What happened at the Battle of Trafalgar?

In 1805, British Admiral Horatio Nelson defeated the French and Spanish fleets. Napoleon failed to gain control of Britain by sea, so he turned toward economic warfare.

What was the Continental System?

The Continental System was Napoleon's attempt to weaken Britain's economy by closing European ports to British trade. Portugal refused to follow it, which contributed to Napoleon's invasion of the Iberian Peninsula.

What was the Peninsular War and why was it a problem for Napoleon?

Napoleon invaded Spain and Portugal and placed his brother Joseph on the Spanish throne. Spanish resistance used guerrilla warfare, and Britain joined the fighting. The war drained Napoleon's resources.

Why did Napoleon invade Russia?

Russia stopped fully cooperating with Napoleon's Continental System and resumed trade with Britain. Napoleon responded by invading Russia with the massive Imperial Grand Army.

What was the scorched-earth tactic Russia used against Napoleon?

Russian forces retreated while destroying food, supplies, and other resources that Napoleon's army could use. This left the French army without enough supplies.

Why was Napoleon's invasion of Russia a disaster?

Napoleon's huge army was weakened by lack of supplies, disease, and the extremely cold winter. He captured Moscow but could not maintain his army and eventually retreated, losing most of his troops.

What was the Battle of Leipzig and why was it important?

The Battle of Leipzig, also called the Battle of the Nations, occurred in 1813. Russia, Prussia, Austria, and other forces defeated Napoleon, weakening his empire and forcing him to abdicate.

What happened to Napoleon after his defeat in 1814?

Napoleon abdicated and was exiled to the island of Elba. France returned to a monarchy under Louis XVIII.

What were Napoleon's 100 Days?

In 1815, Napoleon escaped from Elba and returned to France, regaining power for about 100 days. European powers united against him, leading to his final defeat at Waterloo.

What happened at the Battle of Waterloo?

Napoleon was defeated by allied forces led by Britain and Prussia at Waterloo in 1815. He was exiled to Saint Helena, ending his rule permanently.

What is the overall progression of the French Revolution and Napoleon's rise?

Financial and social problems → Estates-General → National Assembly → Constitution of 1791 → Constitutional monarchy → foreign threats and war → monarchy abolished → Republic → Reign of Terror → Directory → Napoleon's coup → Consulate → Empire → European conquests → Russia → Leipzig → Elba → 100 Days → Waterloo.