History PT 2 Revision PDF

Please read the text book. This is merely for revision. Chapter 1: The French Revolution Overview The French Revolution (1789–1799) was a period of radical social and political change in France that had a lasting impact on the world. It marked the end of absolute monarchy, the rise of democracy, and...

Please read the text book. This is merely for revision. Chapter 1: The French Revolution Overview The French Revolution (1789–1799) was a period of radical social and political change in France that had a lasting impact on the world. It marked the end of absolute monarchy, the rise of democracy, and the establishment of a republic. The revolution was fueled by Enlightenment ideas, economic hardship, and social inequality. Key Causes 1. Social Inequality: French society was divided into three estates: ○ First Estate: Clergy (privileged, exempt from taxes) ○ Second Estate: Nobility (privileged, owned land) ○ Third Estate: Commoners (majority, burdened with taxes) ○ The Third Estate included peasants, urban workers, and the bourgeoisie (middle class), who were frustrated by their lack of political power and heavy taxation. 2. Economic Hardship: France faced financial crises due to: ○ Costly wars (e.g., American Revolution) drained the Treasury. ○ Poor harvests in the late 1780s led to food shortages and rising bread prices. ○ Rising debt and taxation on the Third Estate, which bore the brunt of the financial burden. 3. Enlightenment Ideas: Philosophers like Rousseau, John Locke, and Montesquieu inspired calls for liberty, equality, and fraternity, challenging traditional authority and advocating for individual rights. 4. Weak Leadership: King Louis XVI's indecisiveness and inability to address the financial crisis led to widespread discontent. His attempts at reform were met with resistance from the privileged classes. Key Events 1. Estates-General (May 1789): Convened to address the financial crisis; the Third Estate was underrepresented, leading to tensions. 2. Formation of the National Assembly (June 1789): The Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly, vowing to draft a new constitution, asserting their right to represent the people. 3. Tennis Court Oath (June 20, 1789): Members of the National Assembly pledged not to disband until a new constitution was established, symbolizing their commitment to reform. 4. Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789): A symbolic act of revolution; the fall of the Bastille prison represented the uprising against tyranny and the fight for freedom.  5. Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (August 26, 1789): A fundamental document asserting individual rights and the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, inspired by Enlightenment ideals. 6. Women's March on Versailles (October 5, 1789): Women marched to Versailles demanding bread and the king's return to Paris, highlighting the plight of the common people and their role in the revolution. 7. Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1790): Reorganized the Catholic Church in France, bringing it under state control, which alienated many devout Catholics and led to further conflict. 8. Formation of Women’s Political Clubs: Women began to organize politically, forming clubs and newspapers to voice their interests. The Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women was one of the most notable, advocating for women's rights and participation in the revolution. 9. Flight to Varennes (June 1791): King Louis XVI attempted to flee France but was captured, leading to a loss of trust in the monarchy and increasing calls for a republic. 10. Establishment of the First French Republic known as the Convention (September 21, 1792): The monarchy was abolished, and France was declared a republic, marking a significant shift in governance. 11. Execution of Louis XVI (January 21, 1793): The king was tried and executed by guillotine, marking a turning point in the revolution and solidifying the republic's authority. 12. Reign of Terror (1793–1794): Led by Robespierre, the thousands were executed for perceived counter-revolutionary activities, creating a climate of fear. 13. Fall of Robespierre (July 27, 1794): Robespierre was arrested and executed, leading to the end of the Reign of Terror and a shift in revolutionary leadership. 14. The Directory (1795-1799): A new government established after the fall of Robespierre, characterized by corruption and political instability, struggling to maintain order. 15. Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte (1799): The revolution ended with Napoleon's coup d'état, leading to his eventual rise as Emperor of France and the establishment of a new regime. Key Figures Louis XVI: King of France, executed during the revolution for treason. Marie Antoinette: Queen of France, symbol of royal excess, executed for her perceived indifference to the plight of the people. Maximilien Robespierre: Leader of the Jacobin Republic. Responsible for the Reign of Terror, advocate for revolutionary ideals, ultimately executed for his tyranny. Olympe de Gouges: A significant advocate for women's rights during the revolution, she authored the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and Citizen and was executed for her opposition to the Jacobin government. Napoleon Bonaparte: Napoleon Bonaparte was one of the most successful generals of the French revolutionary armies. He was emperor of France from 1804-14, and again in 1815. Napoleon Bonaparte (1768–1821) is regarded as one of history's greatest military leaders. Key Outcomes Abolition of the monarchy and establishment of a republic. Spread of revolutionary ideas across Europe, inspiring future movements for democracy and rights.  Rise of nationalism and the concept of citizenship, emphasizing the role of the individual in the state. Introduction of the metric system and secular laws, laying the groundwork for modern governance. (They can be used as Napoleon's contributions.) Timeline of the French Revolution 1789 ○ May: Estates-General convenes. ○ June: Formation of the National Assembly. ○ June 20: Tennis Court Oath. ○ July 14: Storming of the Bastille. ○ August 26: Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. ○ October 5: Women's March on Versailles. 1790 ○ July: A constitution is framed to limit the powers of the king and to guarantee basic rights to all human beings. 1791 ○ June: Louis’s Flight to Varennes. 1792 ○ September 21: Establishment of the First French Republic. 1793 ○ January 21: Execution of Louis XVI. ○ September: The Reign of Terror begins. 1794 ○ July 27: Fall of Robespierre. 1795 ○ After the revolution against the Jacobins, the establishment of the Directory. 1799 ○ November: Napoleon's coup d'état, ending the revolution. Chapter 2: Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution Timeline of Key Events in Russia (Pre- and Post-1917) Pre-1905 Conditions Late 19th Century: Russia experiences rapid industrialization, leading to urbanization and the growth of a working class. 1905: The social, economic, and political conditions are marked by widespread discontent among peasants and workers due to poor working conditions, lack of political representation, and economic hardship. 1905 Revolution January 22, 1905: "Bloody Sunday": Peaceful protesters marching to the Winter Palace are shot by the Imperial Guard, igniting widespread unrest. October 1905: The October Manifesto is issued by Tsar Nicholas II, promising civil liberties and the establishment of a Duma (parliament). 1917 Revolutions February 1917: ○ February 23: International Women's Day protests in Petrograd lead to strikes and demonstrations. ○ February 25: The unrest escalates, and soldiers begin to mutiny. ○ February 27: The Duma forms a Provisional Government; the Tsar abdicates on March 2, ending centuries of Romanov rule. April 1917: ○ April Theses: Lenin returns from exile and presents his demands for "peace, land, and bread," advocating for the Bolsheviks to take power. October 1917: ○ October 24-25: The Bolshevik Revolution occurs; the Bolsheviks seize key locations in Petrograd, leading to the overthrow of the Provisional Government. ○ October 26: The Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets meets and endorses the Bolshevik government. Post-Revolution Changes 1917-1918: The Bolsheviks implement significant changes, including: ○ Nationalization of banks and land redistribution to peasants. ○ Withdrawal from World War I (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, March 1918). 1918-1921: Russian Civil War between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and White Army (anti-Bolsheviks) ensues, leading to widespread famine and suffering. 1921: The New Economic Policy (NEP) is introduced to stabilize the economy, allowing some private enterprise. 1924: Lenin dies; Joseph Stalin eventually rises to power, leading to significant changes in Soviet policy and governance. Summary of Key Themes:  Social Conditions: The working population in Russia faced harsh conditions, with long hours, low wages, and poor living standards, differing from other European countries. Political Conditions: The Tsarist autocracy faced increasing pressure from various political factions, including liberals and socialists, leading to the eventual collapse of the regime. Economic Conditions: Rapid industrialization created a class of discontented workers and peasants, contributing to revolutionary sentiments. I know that this isn't the full chapter and only the timeline, but in my opinion, the second chapter can't be ‘fully’ characterized into notes, like ‘FULLY’ because each line is important from the text, so for chapter 2, just read the text, as that's ten times more efficient. For geography notes, head to Geography Notes For PT2 Revision.