French Revolution and Napoleon Overview

The American Revolution, a struggle for independence from Great Britain, began in 1776 and ended in 1783 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris., This war demonstrated the possibility of challenging oppressive colonial powers and established the United States as a new nation.

The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, served as the first government of the United States. It established a weak central government with limited power, leaving most authority to the individual states. This loose structure proved ineffective, leading to the creation of the Constitution in 1788.

The Constitution of the United States replaced the Articles of Confederation in 1788. It established a strong central government with a system of checks and balances, dividing power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This document laid the foundation for the US political system.

The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, declared the thirteen American colonies independent from Great Britain. It proclaimed the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, setting forth the ideals of self-government and individual freedom.

The French Revolution, a period of upheaval and societal transformation in France, began in 1789. It was fueled by social inequality, economic hardship, and the Enlightenment's ideas. The Revolution challenged the absolute power of the monarchy and the privileges of the nobility, leading to sweeping changes in French society.

The First Estate of pre-revolutionary France comprised the clergy, owning approximately 10% of the land. This estate was divided into the wealthy higher clergy and the often poor parish priests.

The Second Estate of pre-revolutionary France comprised the nobility, owning roughly 25-30% of the land. The nobility was divided into two groups: Nobility of the Sword (those with hereditary titles) and Nobility of the Robe (those who earned their titles through government service).

The Third Estate of pre-revolutionary France consisted of all commoners, encompassing peasants, skilled artisans, shopkeepers, and wage earners. This vast majority of the population, owning about 35-40% of the land, faced economic hardship and lacked political representation.

A period of extreme violence and political repression during the French Revolution, where the Committee of Public Safety reigned supreme and sought to eliminate perceived enemies of the Revolution.

The Committee of Public Safety, established during the Reign of Terror, aimed to eliminate anyone suspected of opposing the Revolution, employing tribunals to conduct swift and ruthless trials.

Maximilien Robespierre, a key figure behind the Reign of Terror, was later executed, marking the end of this intense phase of the French Revolution.

The levée-en-masse, a nationwide mobilization that called upon all citizens to defend the nation, transformed the way armies were formed and fought.

The Radical Revolution emphasized revolutionary fervor and the creation of a new republic, driven by ideas of equality and virtue. It implemented changes like price controls, the dechristianization of society, and a new republican calendar.

The

The new French Army, driven by patriotic fervor and ideas of a

A conservative reaction to the excesses of the Reign of Terror, characterized by a return to more moderate policies and the suppression of radical Jacobins.

The Directory, a five-person executive body, established by the Constitution of 1795 in response to the Reign of Terror, was meant to ensure stability and prevent the rise of another dictatorship.

A period of political and economic stagnation following the Reign of Terror, marked by a return to materialistic values and the continued dominance of elites.

The Haitian Revolution, inspired by French ideals of liberty and equality, resulted in the establishment of an independent Haiti, a significant victory for enslaved people.

The

Toussaint L'Ouverture, a prominent leader of the Haitian Revolution, championed the cause of freedom and independence from French colonial rule.

Napoleon Bonaparte, a brilliant military leader, rose to prominence during the French Revolution and eventually seized power, establishing the Consulate and later crowning himself Emperor of France.

Napoleon's coup d'état in 1799 marked the end of the Directory and the establishment of the Consulate, with Napoleon becoming the First Consul.

The three social classes in pre-revolutionary France: the clergy (First Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), and the commoners (Third Estate).

A list of grievances or complaints submitted by each of the three estates to the Estates-General.

A pamphlet written by Abbé Sieyès arguing that the Third Estate was the true representative of the nation and should have the most power.

The meeting of the Estates-General in 1789 where the Third Estate declared themselves the National Assembly and vowed to create a new constitution for France.

The oath taken by the members of the National Assembly on June 20, 1789, pledging to stay together until a new constitution was established.

A pivotal event of the French Revolution where Parisians stormed the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, symbolizing the fall of the old regime.

A wave of peasant rebellions and riots that spread throughout France in the summer of 1789, fueled by fear and anger towards the old regime.

The August 4, 1789, decree by the National Assembly abolishing feudal privileges and serfdom.

A document adopted by the National Assembly on August 26, 1789, that declared the fundamental rights and liberties of all citizens.

A demand for bread quickly turned into a demand for the king's return to Paris in October 1789, highlighting the growing frustration of the people and the urgency for change.

A law passed by the National Assembly in July 1790 that brought the Catholic Church under state control and confiscated Church lands.

Bonds issued by the government backed by confiscated Church lands. They initially provided financial resources for the government, but ultimately contributed to inflation.

A constitution adopted in 1791, establishing a constitutional monarchy with a legislative assembly.

A political club comprised of lawyers, professionals, and property owners who often advocated for radical solutions to the problems faced by France.

A series of wars fought between Napoleon's France and various coalitions of European powers. France emerged victorious in many early battles, but ultimately faced defeat in the face of rising nationalism and the combined might of European powers.

Napoleon Bonaparte, originally a successful general of the French Revolution, crowned himself emperor in 1804, officially establishing the Napoleonic Empire. This marked a shift from the revolutionary republic to a centralized monarchy.

A 1801 agreement between Napoleon and the Catholic Church, reestablishing religious freedom and ending the French Revolution's suppression of the Church. This treaty allowed the Church to operate within France while remaining under state control, stabilizing Napoleon's government.

A comprehensive set of laws codified by Napoleon in 1804. It aimed to unify and simplify the French legal system, upholding revolutionary principles like equality and property rights while limiting women's rights.

A highly centralized bureaucratic system established under Napoleon. Prefects, government agents and police, acted directly under Napoleon's command. This centralization of authority strengthened his control over France.

Napoleon's rule was characterized by strong control and limited freedoms. It utilized censorship, conscription (military draft). While some saw him as a benevolent leader, others condemned his authoritarian tendencies and viewed him as a tyrant.

A peace treaty signed between France and Britain in 1802. It temporarily halted the hostilities of the Napoleonic Wars but was short-lived, leading to renewed conflict in 1803.

Napoleon's policy to cut off Britain's trade by preventing access to European markets. It aimed to weaken the British economy, but backfired, leading to smuggling, economic hardship in Europe, and ultimately contributed to the War of 1812 between Britain and the United States.

An intense sense of national pride, unity, and loyalty. In the context of Napoleon, it was often a reaction against French occupation and domination by other nations, leading to resistance movements and ultimately his downfall.

Napoleon's attempt to expand the French Empire, which encompassed three types of states: the French Empire itself, dependent states, and allied states. He strategically placed his relatives on European thrones, aiming to spread French influence and control.

A major military campaign launched by Napoleon in 1812, intending to conquer Russia and force Tsar Alexander I to adhere to the Continental System. It ended disastrously, with Napoleon's Grand Army decimated by harsh weather, Russian resistance, and ultimately leading to his downfall.

The final battle of the Napoleonic Wars fought on June 18, 1815, where Napoleon's forces were decisively defeated by a coalition of European armies under the command of the Duke of Wellington. This marked the end of Napoleon's reign and the beginning of the Bourbon Restoration to the French throne.

The period following Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo that restored the Bourbon dynasty to the French throne, marking the return of a monarchy after the French Revolution. King Louis XVIII ascended the throne.

After his defeat at Waterloo, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic, where he remained for the rest of his life.