Ancien Régime and Estates-General

Ancien Regime

• The Ancien Regime, also known as the Old Regime or Former Regime, defined the social and political structure of the Kingdom of France from around the 15th to the end of the 18th century.
• The system persisted with local privileges and historical variations until the French Revolution.
• Divisions and functions of the administrative, legal, judicial, and ecclesiastical branches often overlapped.
• French society was divided into three main social groups, or estates.
• The First Estate consisted of the higher and lower clergy.
• The Second Estate comprised the French aristocracy and monarchy, excluding the king.
• The Third Estate included everyone not in the other two estates and was further split into urban and rural groups.

Estates-General

• A conference of the Estates-General was convened to address the French government's severe economic issues; each estate had a single collective vote.
• The First and Second Estates aimed to protect their authority and privilege.
• The Third Estate sought increased representation and political leverage to tackle inequalities.

The Enlightenment's Impact on the Revolution

• The Enlightenment's ideas and accomplishments significantly influenced the French Revolution.
• Enlightenment intellectuals questioned the absolute monarchy's authority and opposed the class distinctions of feudalism.
• The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen highlighted individual and collective rights.

Events of the Revolution

• Key events included the National Assembly and the Tennis Court Oath, the Storming of the Bastille, The Great Fear and Women's March, and the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen.

National Assembly and Tennis Court Oath

• The Estates-General did not resolve how the three estates should vote.
• The Third Estate formed the National Assembly.
• Members swore the Tennis Court Oath after being locked out of their meeting place.

Storming of the Bastille

• Rising food prices, foreign soldiers in Paris, and the monarchy's counter-revolutionary measures sparked riots.
• 250 barrels of gunpowder were transferred to the Bastille for safekeeping before the siege.
• A mob seized the gunpowder after discussions stalled, signaling the start of the revolution.

The Great Fear and Women's March

• The insurrection spread beyond Paris and lords employed bandits to terrorize people.
• This caused panic in the countryside, known as the "great fear".
• Peasants stormed into aristocrats' residences and destroyed legal documents.
• Women marched from Paris to Versailles to demand that the king lower bread prices.

Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen

• Noblemen declared their passion for liberty and equality in speeches.
• The Assembly approved the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, based on Enlightenment beliefs.
• The Ancien Regime was replaced with a system based on equality, freedom of expression, sovereignty, and representative governance.

Reforms of the Assembly

• Numerous National Assembly changes focused on the Church.
• Church officials and priests were to be elected, Church property was seized, and compensated like state authorities.
• Proceeds from the sale of Church lands aided in repaying France's debt.
• Millions of Catholic French peasants rejected the Assembly's policies.

Escape of Louis XVI

• King Louis XVI opposed the revolution but did not want help from other European kings.
• Queen Marie Antoinette solicited help from friends.
• The royal family escaped disguised as slaves, while their servants dressed as nobles.
• After being recognized and imprisoned, the king and his family were paraded back to Paris.
• The King and Queen were detained.

Legislative Assembly

• The National Assembly was replaced by the Legislative Assembly.
• The Assembly consisted of 165 Feuillants (constitutional monarchists), 330 Girondists (liberal republicans), Jacobins (radical revolutionaries), and 250 unassociated delegates.
• Conflicts would precipitate constitutional crisis, catapulting the revolution.

War with Prussia and Austria

• Austria and Prussia intervened due to fears of uprisings in their countries.
• The Prussian commander threatened to demolish Paris if any royal family member was harmed.
• Men and women stormed Tuileries, the royal family's residence, and imprisoned the family.
• Many king's supporters died at the hands of crowds.
• The National Convention replaced the Legislative Assembly and ordered King Louis XVI's execution.

Reign of Terror

• The French Revolution became violent due to conflicts and internal disputes in the National Convention after the king's death.
• National Convention members turned against Robespierre due to safety concerns.
• A revolutionary government called Directory was established after the Reign of Terror ended.
• Maximilien Robespierre, as head of the Committee of Public Safety, ruled France as a dictator and his reign became known as the Reign of Terror.
• Robespierre claimed that fear was necessary to make the French adhere to the revolution's objectives.
• The guillotine swiftly carried out beheadings.
• The committee tried and guillotined enemies in the morning and afternoon under Robespierre's supervision.

Rise of Napoleon and the First French Empire

• Napoleon Bonaparte was a French general, First Consul of the First French Republic, and later proclaimed Emperor.
• Bonaparte reformed the administrative and legal system of France.
• Napoleon was born in Corsica, Italy.
• He graduated from a French military institution and became a second lieutenant in an artillery unit.
• Napoleon was promoted to major general after assisting in suppressing a royalist revolt.
• Napoleon staged a coup against the Directory and enacted government reforms.
• Austria was defeated of in a series of engagements, resulting in French territorial gains.
• He named himself first consul and dictated powers.
• Napoleon considered the Napoleonic Code, a system of laws, as his greatest achievement.
• Military victories led European monarchs to sign peace treaties with France.
• The Napoleonic Code established a standard set of laws eradicating several inequities.
• Napoleon dominated Europe, ruling over ostensibly autonomous entities and the French Empire.

Continental System

• Napoleon established a blockade obstructing commerce and communication between Great Britain and other European states.
• The Continental System refers to increasing continental Europe's self-sufficiency.
• It aimed to cripple Great Britain's industries and economy.
• Great Britain's superior blockade and fleet became more effective than France's.

Peninsular War

• Napoleon deployed an invading army across Spain to force Portugal to embrace the Continental System.
• Napoleon deposed the Spanish monarch and installed his brother, Joseph, on the throne.
• Spanish peasant rebels attacked French forces for six years.

French Invasion of Russia

• Napoleon's most terrible mistake was launching an invasion to his ally, Russia.
• Alexander I refused to stop exporting grains to Britain.
• The Battle of Borodino pitted French and Russian troops against one another.
• Alexander I demolished Moscow to prevent surrendering it to the French.
• Russian raiders assaulted Napoleon's freezing army.

Fall of Napoleon

• Combined troops from Austria, Prussia, and Russia marched to Paris and King George III accepted Napoleon's surrender terms.
• Napoleon abdicated and was exiled to Elba, off the coast of Italy.
• News of Louis XVIII's misfortunes motivated Napoleon to reclaim power.
• Napoleon's weary army surrendered against the British and Prussian armies.
• Napoleon's last drive for dominance, defeat came with the defeat in the Battle of Waterloo in Brussels, Belgium.
• Napoleon's forces were defeated by Duke of Wellington.
• This battle resulted in Napoleon's deportation to the island of St. Helena in the south Atlantic Ocean.

Impact of Napoleon's Downfall

• European leaders sought to maintain peace and stability after Napoleon's defeat.
• The Congress of Vienna was convened to establish policies based on collective security and continent stability.
• Some kings deposed by Napoleon were restored and reclaimed their thrones.
• Christian ideals formed the basis for ties between three European monarchs organizing the Holy Alliance and other countries.

Legacy of the French Revolution

• The French Revolution had a long-lasting and polarizing effect on France and the world.
• Absolute monarchy in Europe was effectively ended.
• Judicial reforms made national politics more reasonable and equitable.
• More liberty and equality resulted in a more meritocratic society.
• The French Revolution has been followed as a model by revolutionaries since.

The Ancien Régime defined the social and political structure of France from the 15th to 18th century. French society was divided into three estates: clergy, aristocracy, and the Third Estate. The Estates-General was convened to address France's economic issues.