The French Revolution and Napoleon- Patterns of Civilization

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A sudden profound change which destroys the old political and social system

Slide 9

What were the main causes of the French Revolution?

- monarch had absolute power

- First and Second Estates had many privileges

- clergy collected tithes

- church owned much land

- many nobles enjoyed great wealth

- only nobles could become army officers

- only nobles could hold high church offices

- nobles collected feudal dues from peasants

- Third Estate paid most taxes

- peasants had to perform unpaid services

- peasants had to pay taxes, tithes, and rents

- peasants were forbidden to kill animals that ate their crops

- nobles damaged crops by hunting

- city workers suffered from inflation

- in 1770’s, economic activity slowed

- poor harvests

- regulations from Middle Ages hampered trade and manufacturing

- many custom duties within France

- entrepreneurs could not set up businesses

- huge government debt

- bankers refused to lend more money

- bread shortages

- King Louis didn’t back his ministers’ reforms

- nobles didn’t allow themselves to be taxed

- nobles felt only “lower classes” should be taxed

- King dismissed Turgot

Slide 10

Unit Two The French Revolution and Napoleon

II. A Moderate Start to the Revolution

1789 to 1815

Slide 11

Define

Émigré

Person who flees his or her country for political reasons

Limited monarchy

Government in which a monarch’s powers are limited, usually by a constitution and a legislative body

Republic

System of government in which citizens who have the right to vote choose their leaders

Constitution

A body of fundamental principles according to which a state is governed

Radical

Extreme

Moderate

Not extreme, mild

Liberty

Freedom, being free

Equality

Condition of being equal

Fraternity

Brotherly or like brothers

Reign

Rule; the rule of a monarchy

Slide 12

Notes: II. A Moderate Start to the Revolution

C. Reforms of the Assembly: 1789 August

- uprisings forced action from the Assembly

- Assembly made huge reforms

- abolished most feudal customs

- ended serfdom; ended tax exempt privilege of nobles

- all male citizens eligible for government/church positions

- adopted Declaration of the Rights of Man

- democratic principles

- equality for all citizens

- protection of personal property

- influenced by ideas of philosophes

- religious reforms: 1789-90

- freedom of worship

- control of church given to the government