Grade 8 World History: The French Revolution PDF

 TOPICS 1. Ancien Regime 2. The Enlightenment’s Impact on the Revolution 3. Events of the Revolution 4. Reforms of the Assembly 5. Escape of Louis XVI 6. Legislative Assembly 7. War with Prussia and Austria 8. Reign of Terror 9. Rise of Napoleon and the First French Empire 10. Legacy of t...

 TOPICS 1. Ancien Regime 2. The Enlightenment’s Impact on the Revolution 3. Events of the Revolution 4. Reforms of the Assembly 5. Escape of Louis XVI 6. Legislative Assembly 7. War with Prussia and Austria 8. Reign of Terror 9. Rise of Napoleon and the First French Empire 10. Legacy of the French Revolution ANCIEN REGIME ESTATES – GENERAL Ancien Regime The Ancien Regime (Old Regime or Former Regime) was the social and political structure in the Kingdom of France around the 15th century until the end of the 18th century. It remained a patchwork of local privileges and historical variations until the French Revolution brought the system to an end. Divisions and functions of the administrative, legal, judicial, and ecclesiastical branches regularly overlapped. Ancien Regime The French society was split into three main social groups or estates. The First Estate was historically separated into higher and lower clergy. The Second Estate included the French aristocracy and monarchy, except for the king. The Third Estate, which included everyone who was not a member of the other two estates, was split into two groups: urban and rural. Estates-General To address the French government’s dire economic situation, a conference of the Estates-General was convened. Each estate would have a single collective vote. The First and Second Estates attempted to safeguard their authority and privilege. The Third Estate desired more representation and political power in order to address inequalities. THE ENLIGHTENMENT’S IMPACT OF THE REVOLUTION The Enlightenment’s Impact on the Revolution Although the Enlightenment occurred many years before the French Revolution began, its ideas and accomplishments had a major influence on the French Revolution. Enlightenment intellectuals questioned the absolute monarchy’s conventional authority and advocated against the severe class distinctions of feudalism. The manifestation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen highlighted the citizens’ individual and collective rights.  EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTION NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND THE TENNIS COURT OATH | STORMING OF THE BASTILLE | THE GREAT FEAR AND WOMEN’S MARCH | DECLARATION OF RIGHTS OF MAN AND CITIZEN National Assembly and the Tennis Court Oath The Estates-General failed to resolve the issue on the manner of how the three estates should vote. The Third Estate decided to form the National Assembly, or the “assembly of the people.” With the closing of the Assembly’s meeting place, the members moved to a nearby indoor tennis court, where they swore the Tennis Court Oath. Tennis Court Oath The Tennis Court Oath resolved to remain there until they form a new constitution. Members of the National Assembly were quickly joined by the majority of ecclesiastical delegates and 47 members of the aristocracy. Storming of the Bastille The rising prices of food, the presence of foreign soldiers in Paris, and the monarchy’s counter revolutionary measurers had led the people of Paris to riot. Storming of the Bastille 250 barrels of gunpowder was transferred to the Bastille for safekeeping days before the siege. A mob gathered outside of Bastille, and while discussions took place, it was too long. The mob entered the prison and seized the gunpowder. The fall of the Bastille signaled the start of the revolution. The Great Fear and Women’s March Within a short period of time, the insurrection extended beyond Paris’s borders. Bandits were employed by the lords to terrorize the people. It caused a panic in the countryside, particularly among the peasants, which became known as the great fear. Peasants, armed with pitchforks and other agricultural implements, stormed into aristocrats’ manor residences and destroyed the ancient legal documents. Women’s March on Versailles Women marched from Paris to Versailles to speak to the king to ask him lower the price of bread so they could buy it for their families. The king was forced to face them, urged by the women to return to Paris so he could see the people’s real conditions. Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen Noblemen delivered great speeches throughout the night, declaring their passion for liberty and equality. The Assembly approved the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, a declaration of democratic ideals based on the philosophical and political beliefs of Enlightenment. Ancien Regime was eradicated and replaced with a system founded on equality of opportunity, freedom of expression, popular sovereignty, and representative governance. REFORMS OF THE ASSEMBLY Reforms of the Assembly Numerous changes of the National Assembly centered on the Church. Church property were seized and Church officials and priests would be elected and compensated like state authorities. The proceeds from the sale of Church lands aided in the repayment of France’s massive debt. Millions of pious Catholic French peasants rejected the Assembly’s policies. ESCAPE OF LOUIS XVI Escape of Louis XVI King Louis XVI was hostile to the revolution’s motives and actions, but he did not want to seek help from other European kings. Queen Marie Antoinette sought the help of their friends. The royal family escaped as slaves while their servants dressed as nobles. After the king was recognized and imprisoned, he and his family were paraded back to Paris in the disguises they used during their escape. The King and the Queen were both detained. LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Legislative Assembly The National Assembly was replaced by the Legislative Assembly. It was composed of different groups; 165 Feuillants (constitutional monarchists) 330 Girondists (liberal republicans) Jacobins (radical revolutionaries) And another 250 delegates who were not associated with any group. Conflicts would precipitate a constitutional crisis, catapulting the revolution to new heights. WAR WITH PRUSSIA AND AUSTRIA War With Prussia and Austria Austria and Prussia took action because they were terrified that similar uprisings may erupt in their own nations. The Prussian commander promised to demolished Paris if any member of the royal family was injured by the rebels. Men and women stormed Tuileries, the royal family’s residence, and imprisoned the royal family. Numerous supporters of the king perished in these massacres at the hands of enraged crowds. The National Convention replaced the Legislative Assembly and ordered the execution of King Louis XVI. REIGN OF TERROR Reign of Terror Following the king’s death, the French Revolution entered its most violent and volatile period as a result of conflicts with several European nations and internal disputes in the National Convention. Fearful for their own safety, several members of the National Convention turned against Robespierre. A revolutionary government, called Directory, was established after the end of the reign of terror. Maximilien Robespierre Appointed as the head of the Committee of Public Safety, Robespierre ruled France as a dictator and his reign became known as the reign of terror. Robespierre defended his use of fear by claiming that it allowed French people to adhere to the revolution’s objectives. Guillotine The guillotine is a device used to swiftly carry out beheading executions. Enemies deemed by the committee were tried in the morning and guillotined in the afternoon under Robespierre’s supervision.  RISE OF NAPOLEON AND THE FIRST FRENCH EMPIRE NAPOLEON’S PROBLEMS | FALL OF NAPOLEON | IMPACT OF NAPOLEON’S DOWNFALL Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon Bonaparte was a French general, First Consul of the First French Republic and later proclaimed as the Emperor of the French. Bonaparte was known as one of the greatest military commanders history has produced. He was also known for reforming the administrative and legal system of France. Rise of Napoleon and the First French Empire Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Corsica, Italy. Graduated from a French military institution and became a second lieutenant in a French army artillery unit. Promoted to major general after assisting in suppressing a royalist revolt against the revolutionary government. Defeated Austria’s superior troops in a series of engagements, resulting in French territorial gains. Napoleon staged a coup against the Directory, claiming the title of the first consul and wielded dictatorial powers. Made reforms in the government such as effective tax collection, combat government corruption, and many more. Rise of Napoleon and the First French Empire Napoleon considered his Napoleonic Code, a comprehensive system of laws, as his greatest achievement. The Napoleonic Code established a standard set of laws for the nation and eradicated several inequities. Napoleon’s military victories drove the monarchs of Europe to sign peace treaties with France. Napoleon established his dominance over the majority of Europe, ruling over other ostensibly autonomous entities in addition to the areas of the French Empire. Map of the First French Empire Continental System Napoleon established a blockade – the forceful closure of ports – obstructing all commerce and communication between Great Britain and other European states. The Continental System was used to refer to the strategy of increasing continental Europe’s self-sufficiency. It is also implemented to cripple Great Britain’s industries and economy. However, with Great Britain’s own blockade and superior fleet, their action became more effective than that of French. Peninsular War Napoleon deployed an invading army across Spain in an attempt to convince Portugal to embrace the Continental System. Napoleon deposed the Spanish monarch and installed his own brother, Joseph, on the throne. Gangs of Spanish peasant rebels known as guerillas attacked French forces throughout Spain for six years. French Invasion of Russia Napoleon’s most terrible mistake was when he launched an invasion to his ally, Russia. Despite being an ally (and sharing a kiss), Alexander I refused to stop exporting grains to Britain. At the Battle of Borodino, French and Russian troops pitted against one another. Alexander I had demolished Russia’s “sacred city” (Moscow) rather than surrendering it to the French. As temperatures plummeted causing extreme cold, Russian raiders savagely assaulted Napoleon’s army. Fall of Napoleon The combined troops of Austria, Prussia, and Russia continued their march to Paris. King George III of Great Britain accepted the conditions of Napoleon’s surrender. Napoleon abdicated his throne and was exiled to Elba, a small island off the coast of Italy. The news of Louis XVIII misfortunes provided Napoleon with the motivation he needed to reclaim power. Napoleon’s weary army surrendered against the British and Prussian armies. Battle of Waterloo Napoleon’s last drive for dominance, dubbed the Hundred Days, came to an end with his defeat in the Battle of Waterloo, a village in Brussels, Belgium. Napoleon’s forces were defeated by the command of Duke of Wellington. This battle resulted in his deportation to the island of St. Helena in the south of the Atlantic Ocean. Impact of Napoleon’s Downfall European state leaders sought to maintain peace and stability on the continent after Napoleon’s defeat. The Congress of Vienna was convened to establish policies based on collective security and stability for the continent. Some kings who were deposed by Napoleon were restored and reclaimed their thrones. Three European monarchs organized the Holy Alliance to establish Christian ideals as the basis for their ties with other countries. LEGACY OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION Legacy of the French Revolution The French Revolution had a long-lasting and polarizing effect on France and the rest of the world. It effectively ended absolute monarchy in Europe. The judiciary reforms made the country’s politics more reasonable and equitable for all of its citizens. Greater liberty and equality resulted in a more meritocratic society. For the last 200 years, revolutionaries from other countries have looked to the French Revolution as a model to follow. Assignment Answer This, page 267.