2. The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1
The Revolution Begins
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• Starting Points Map
• Main Idea / Reading Focus
• Causes of the Revolution
• Quick Facts: Causes of the Revolution
• First Events of the Revolution
• Creating a New Nation
3. The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1
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4. The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1
The Revolution Begins
Main Idea
Problems in French society led to a revolution, the formation of a
new government, and the end of the monarchy.
Reading Focus
• What caused the French Revolution?
• What happened during the first events of the Revolution?
• How did the French create a new nation?
5. The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1
Causes of the Revolution
Long-standing resentments against the monarchy
• Inequalities in society
– Existing social and political structure
– Called the Old Order, or ancient régime
• King at the top and estates under him
– King Louis XVI, shy and indecisive
– Unpopular, self-indulgent queen, Marie-Antoinette
– Rest of French society divided into three
classes, called estates
6. The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1
The Three Estates
Varied widely in what they contributed in terms of work and taxes
First Estate Second Estate Third Estate
• Roman Catholic clergy • Nobility • Largest group—97% of
the population
• One percent of the • Less than 2 percent of
population the population • Bourgeoisie—city-
dwelling
• Exempt from taxes • Paid few taxes merchants, factory
• Owned 10 percent of • Controlled much wealth owners, and
the land professionals
• Held key positions
– Collected rents and • Sans culottes—
– Government
fees artisans and workers
– Military
– Bishops and other
• Peasants—poor with
clergy grew wealthy • Lived on country
little hope, paid rents
estates
and fees
7. The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1
Further Causes
Enlightenment Ideas A Financial Crisis
• Inspiring new ideas from • Severe economic problems
Enlightenment philosophers affected much of the country
• Great Britain’s government • France in debt, spending
limiting the king’s power lavishly, borrowing money, and
facing bankruptcy
• American colonists rebelled
successfully against British king • Hailstorm and drought ruined
harvest; harsh winter limited
• New ideas changed
flour production
government and society in other
countries • People hungry and angry;
clergy and nobility no help
9. The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1
Summarize
What were the causes of the French
Revolution?
Answer(s): inequalities in society, Enlightenment
ideas, poor leadership, financial crisis, hunger and
cold
10. The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1
First Events of the Revolution
By 1789, no group happy Estates General meets
• Clergy and nobility lost power to • Desire for reforms
monarchy • Voting process a problem
• Bourgeoisie resented • Third Estate proclaimed
regulations themselves National Assembly
• Poor worse off • Tennis Court Oath
Storming of the Bastille Great Fear spread
• King brought in troops • King to punish the Third Estate
• People of Paris armed with foreign soldiers
themselves • Rumors of massacres
• Searching for weapons, a mob • Peasants destroyed records
stormed the Bastille and burned nobles’ houses
11. The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1
Identify Cause and Effect
What was the connection between
the fall of the Bastille and the Great
Fear?
Answer(s): possible answer—After the fall of the
Bastille, people were terrified that the king would
punish them.
12. The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1
Creating a New Nation
Legislating New Rights Restrictions on Power
• Feudal dues eliminated • Louis tried to protect his throne
• Declaration laid out • Angered the common people
―liberty, equality, fraternity‖ • Prices still high; mob broke into
• Inspired by the English Bill of the palace demanding bread
Rights, American Declaration of • Royal family seized; National
Independence, and the writings Assembly took bolder steps
of Enlightenment philosophers
• Passed laws against the
• Men are born equal and remain church, clergy, and public
equal under the law employees
• The rights did not extend to • Some outraged by actions
women
13. The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1
Formation of a New Government
In 1791, the Legislative Assembly is formed. Citizens gained broad
voting rights, but rights were not universal. Constitution restricted power
of king and ended distinctions of birth. King and queen feared they
would be harmed.
Foreign Powers End of Monarchy
• Austria and Prussia warned against • August 10, 1792 royal family
harming monarchs imprisoned by mob
• Austrian army defeats French • Radical faction took charge with
• Financial strain of war, food National Convention
shortages, and high prices • Monarchy abolished; France
• King blamed; action demanded declared a republic
French revolutionary troops won the Battle of Valmy. New French
republic held ground against Europe’s Old Order.
14. The French Revolution and Napoleon Section 1
Sequence
What steps did National and
Legislative Assemblies take to
create a new nation?
Answer(s): National Assembly completed
constitution and created Legislative Assembly;
Legislative Assembly—created a new
legislature, the National Convention, which
abolished the monarchy and declared France a
republic
