French Revolution and Enlightenment

Study Notes

Caused by:
- Financial crisis and burden of taxation on common people
- Inequality and privilege of the nobility and clergy
Key events:
- Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789)
- Adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (August 1789)
- Reign of Terror (1793-1794) and execution of King Louis XVI
- Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and coup d'état (1799)

Key figures:
- René Descartes (father of modern philosophy)
- Voltaire (advocate for reason and tolerance)
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau (social contract theory)
- Denis Diderot (editor of the Encyclopédie)
Ideas:
- Reason and individualism vs. tradition and authority
- Critique of absolute monarchy and feudalism
- Emphasis on education, science, and progress

Key events:
- Fall of the Western Roman Empire (5th century)
- Rise of feudalism and chivalry
- Hundred Years' War with England (1337-1453)
- Crusades and the Catholic Church's influence
Notable figures:
- Charlemagne (unifier of Francia)
- William the Conqueror (Duke of Normandy and King of England)

Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte:
- Coup d'état (1799) and establishment of the Consulate
- Coronation as Emperor (1804)
- Military conquests and reorganization of Europe
Key events:
- Continental System and British blockade
- Peninsular War and Russian Campaign
- Defeat at Waterloo (1815) and exile to Saint Helena

Cultural and artistic developments:
- Humanism and classical influences
- Architecture, art, and literature (e.g., François Rabelais)
Key figures:
- Francis I (king and patron of the arts)
- Catherine de' Medici (queen and patron of the arts)
Notable events:
- Italian Wars (1494-1559) and French involvement
- St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre (1572) and the French Wars of Religion

Financial crisis led to burden of taxation on common people, causing widespread discontent
Nobility and clergy held excessive power and privilege, leading to social and economic inequality
Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, marked the beginning of the Revolution
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was adopted in August 1789, establishing principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity
Reign of Terror from 1793-1794 led to the execution of King Louis XVI and thousands of others
Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power, eventually staging a coup d'état in 1799 and ending the Revolution

René Descartes, father of modern philosophy, emphasized reason and individualism
Voltaire advocated for reason, tolerance, and criticism of absolute monarchy
Jean-Jacques Rousseau developed social contract theory, arguing that government derives power from the people
Denis Diderot edited the Encyclopédie, a comprehensive compilation of knowledge and ideas
Enlightenment thinkers emphasized education, science, and progress, challenging traditional authority and feudalism

Fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century led to a period of instability and fragmentation
Feudalism and chivalry emerged, with lords and vassals holding power and land
Hundred Years' War with England lasted from 1337-1453, with significant impact on French society and economy
Crusades and the Catholic Church played a significant role in shaping medieval French politics and culture
Charlemagne unified Francia, establishing a powerful and centralized state
William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy and King of England, shaped French and English history

Napoleon Bonaparte seized power in 1799, establishing the Consulate and eventually becoming Emperor in 1804
Military conquests and reorganization of Europe led to widespread French influence and control
Continental System and British blockade led to economic instability and conflict
Peninsular War and Russian Campaign were costly and disastrous for France
Defeat at Waterloo in 1815 led to Napoleon's exile to Saint Helena

Humanism and classical influences shaped French culture and art
Architecture, art, and literature flourished, with notable figures like François Rabelais
Francis I and Catherine de' Medici were prominent patrons of the arts
Italian Wars from 1494-1559 led to French involvement and conflict in Italy
St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572 marked the beginning of the French Wars of Religion