Yusef Mohammed UMP

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Causes of the French Revolution

Ancien Rgime
Louis XVI seems like he does not rule well and that he did not spend much money on
his country and people, instead to satisfy himself and his family. Louis stayed in
power because of laws and principles of France he established. His principles were
very clearly unfair and no consideration was taken for the people. The kingship he
had was absolutism (Louis XVI was an absolute monarch).

The problems of the Ancien Rgime were that Louis was in complete power which
meant he was unpopular. Many people did not have any rights and freedom under
the rule of Louis XVI. Also, the Ancien Rgime was an unfair system for France and
the peasants; if a mistake were made in a factory, there would be severe
punishments.

The workers and peasants had the most reason to dislike the Ancien Rgime in all
the French society because of how badly they were treated. They were taxed a lot
and had to work an incredible amount for a very small wage to survive on. Also, the
countrys incomes were not pledged at all in helping them.

Causes
Type of Problem Why is it a problem? Who did it affect
problem most?
Political Absolute He is a weak king and has total Everyone, but
monarchy control over the managing of especially those
France. The people were not able discontent with
to have a say in the running of their lot.
their lives.
Social Growth of It will increase urban poverty and The middle class
industry be underpaid which could make industrial workers
and the rise them unhappy. Because they are and tradesmen. It
of the all in cities and bunched would also make
middle class together, it would be much France look bad.
easier to rebel together. The
middle class lacked political and
social influence.
Growing The peasants had to work unpaid The peasants as it
burden on for the landlord each year. They increased the
feudal dues also had to pay tax and give a difference
portion of their crops to the between the rich
landlord. and the poor.

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Increasing The peasants were extremely It affected the

poverty poor. In August 1788, 50% of the peasants and
peasants wages went to buying workers as it
bread. In July 1789, 75% of the meant it was hard
peasants wage went to buying or impossible for
bread. A bad harvest would lead many to feed
to the price of bread shooting up. themselves. Also,
If people are spending more factory owners
money on bread, they cannot were affected, as
spend money on manufactured they couldnt sell
goods like clothes, shoes and goods.
candles, leading to factories and
businesses unable to sell goods,
causing them to lower wages or
lay off workers.
Economic Growing By 1789, the government were in The government
government debt, which meant the tax as the interest on
debt system had to change and the the debt exceeded
King intended to increase taxes. the countrys GNP.
The bankruptcy of the French They needed to
government also created a bad find a way to pay
picture to the rest of the world. off their debt. The
increase of taxes
would affect the
peasants.
Attempt to It encountered a lot of resistance The King was
tax the from the parliaments (law affected as the
nobles courts), which were dominated peoples voices
by nobility, leading to the could be heard
summoning of the Estates- and boost morale
General. An equal number from between the
each Estate met up. The Third peasant and cause
Estate asked for double an uprising.
representation, which was
accepted. This meant voices
could be heard.
Tax burden The tax on the Third Estate The Third Estate
on the Third workers was increasing and it workers; the
Estate was the only thing that was bourgeoisie
holding the country together. It (middle or social
was also keeping Louis XVI in class), workers of
power. France (urban
workers) and
peasants, because
they had to pay
the tax instead of
the rich nobles.

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Intellectual Growth of Ideas of enlightenment overcame The Third Estate,

new ideas the population of France. especially the
(e.g. Educated people were wanted. educated, were
everyone Belief that it is possible to create affected as they
born equal) a better society. There were also started visualising
needs of freedom for people. these new ideas of
Many criticisms were targeted at peace and
the government and the royal equality.
power. Educated, well-off
members of the Third Estate
learnt about the new ideas.
Many noblemen believed the
King had too much power.
The American declaration of The majority if the
influence of independence inspired the French population
America French soldiers. They started to including the Third
believe everyone was born equal Estate people and
and that every man had rights workers and the
that could not be taken away and French army. They
that the government should act were all inspired
in the interests of the people. and wanted to
Some people started to say that replicate what
a country should be run by the happened in
government chosen by the America, in
people. France.

Kicking in the rotten door?

The rotten door implies the government and that its destruction will start a new
beginning. Kicking shows that people are desperate to get rid if this door.

The Ancien Rgime could be considered as a rotten door as it needed attention and
was an unfair tax system. The French system needed to be reconsidered, as the laws
were unfair. The Third Estate citizens wanted to destroy the current inequality.

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Although there are many negative factors of the Ancien Rgime, it still worked and
France were able to live and it held the country together, though not in good
conditions for everyone.

Jacques Necker
In 1788, Louis XVI appointed Necker as finance minister of France to try and fix the
big economical problem that France were in. He advised Louis XVI to double the
Third Estate in the Estates General. He also wrote books educating people on the
economy of France, but lying by saying that France was economically stable and fine.

Anne Robert Jacques Turgot

In 1774, Louis XVI appointed Turgot controller-general of finance of France. He
stated No bankruptcy, no increase in taxes, no borrowing.

Charles Alexandre de Calonne

In 1783, Louis XVI appointed Calonne controller-general of finance of France. His
unsuccessful efforts to reform France led to the French Revolution in 1789.

Sieyess pamphlet
According to Sieyes, the four classes of person working on the land, sales of goods
before reading the consumer, merchants and dealers and the rest of occupations
there are.
The Third Estate makes the vast majority of the public services because Sieyes
believed the nation of France was supported by its working class, whose economic
and social contributions were the activities which support society.
Sieyes is disappointed by the privileged orders being restricted to people born into
the First and Second Estates. He states that even if someone is extremely successful,
he will not be allowed to move up classes and that honourable and well-paid jobs
are not for the Third Estate citizens. There are also certain regulations on the limits
of these people.
Sieyes says the consequences of a monopoly in industry will mean not everyone will
be open to apply and the jobs would be performed to a lower standard, but more
expensively because of wages and salary. It also discourages people who it does not
apply.
The political system Sieyes criticises is called the absolutism. France was a
monarchy then and Louis XVI ruled through absolutism.
An all that is fettered oppressed from Sieyess writing means the Third Estate is
completely restricted and does not have any opportunities unlike the First and
Second class. He is saying the system in France was unfair.
Imperium in imperio means the control of the government. Sieyes describes the
nobility in this way to show what the rich and nobles wanted is what they got. A
government should be in favour of the country and their decision, not only nobility,
but this seems to be the case meaning the laws are what the nobility wish and the
majority of France do not have an input.
Sieyes describes the Third Estate as everything because France seemed to be very
reliant on the Third Estate, requiring to keep the country together for industry, taxes
and many other jobs which funded Louis XVI and the country, but clearly not used in

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the correct way. The growth of crops and food were mainly done by the Third Estate
citizens as well.
I agree with Sieyess argument because lots of information stated here is correct and
describes what the Third Estate were. I do believe that the Third Estate were the
structure of France and the First and Second Estate relied heavily on them to provide
them with wealth and fortune. Also, there were many restrictions on the Third
Estate, limiting them to certain regulations. The law was also formed of the opinions
of the nobility and did not include any ideas from the Third Estate.
I think this pamphlet was popular in 1789 and it appealed mainly by Third Estate
citizens. This information would inform and enlighten them about the situation in
France at the time and would encourage them to stop this system of governing and
ruling the country. The pamphlet also questioned the rule of the aristocracy. This
pamphlet addressed different information that many people were unaware of and
provided more reason of anger to Louis XVI and banked up the beginning of a
revolution.

Sieyess main demands:

1) Representatives from the Third Estate should only be from the Third Estate,
not from the other two.
2) That there be as many representatives in the Third Estate as in the other two
combined.
3) That the Estates General vote by head not by order.
Alternative plan:
1) For the Third Estate to meet separately as a National Assembly, ignoring the
other two Estates.
2) To appeal to the people and allow the nation to decide.

Why do the events of 1789 mirror what Sieyes outlined in his pamphlet:
1) People read Sieyess pamphlet and were influenced by it (revolutionary).
In his pamphlet, he outlines the desires and frustrations of the class of people
that made up the Third Estate. He attacked the foundations of the French
Ancien Rgime by arguing the nobility to be a separate institute of France,
ordering the peasants and bourgeoisie. Many people read the pamphlet and
were inspired by what it said. It could be also said people used it as
instructions for their uprising. Sieyes addressed how that all three Estates
having an equal number of representatives is unfair as France was mainly
populated of the Third Estate. There is clear evidence in Sieyess pamphlet
outlining of the meeting of the Estates General was unsatisfactory, the Third
Estate were to form a National Assembly which exemplifies how the
pamphlet influenced people in itself revolutionary.
2) Sieyes predicted the events (prophet).
The situation in France was unstable and Sieyes purely predicted the results
of Louis XVI calling the Estates General. It could be seen as the First Estates
demands and consequently always causing a revolution. Furthermore, the
Third Estate were bunching up more at the time such as in cities and action
against the Ancien Rgime could take place and was much more likely to
occur.

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The three Estates

The Estates General

The nobles and clergy welcomed the Kings decision to call an Estates General. They
intended to use it to block his plans to tax them. They thought they could do so
because of the voting system used by the Estates General.

Events of 1789
1) Louis XVI calls the Estates General (August 1788).
2) The Estates General opens at Versailles. In early sessions, delegates from the
First and Second Estates resolve should be done by order, not by head (5 th
May 1789).
3) The Third Estate delegates declare themselves to be the National Assembly.
They are locked out of the meeting hall, so meet instead in a nearby Tennis
Court (17th 20th June 1789).
4) The King proposes a new plan intended to maintain the Ancien Rgime and
the Three Estate. This proposal fails, so he backs down and orders delegates
from the First and Second Estates to join the National Assembly (23rd 27th
June 1789).
5) The National Assembly reorganises itself and changes its formal name to the
National Constituent Assembly (5th May 1789).

Events of the French Revolution

The Storming of the Bastille
The Bastille was a symbol the Kings power and how it is crumbling and easily
defeated. Pictures of the attack show it was an unpleased battlefield which included
fighting and was very gruesome. The attack was meant to symbolise the Third Estate
can override Louis XVI.

The fall of the Bastille was one of the most famous events of the French Revolution.
It was a symbol of victory of ordinary people over the power of their rulers.

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Many people imagined the Bastille to be a packed prison and the prisoners were
very harshly treated. However, when the Bastille was stormed, it was said that only 7
captives had been found and their life there was luxurious.

The March on Versailles

1) As the revolution wore on in 1789, the price of bread continued to rise.
2) Emboldened by their success in July, increasingly frustrated with the National
Constituent Assembly, and starting to get hungry, the people of Paris grew
restless.
3) On 5th October, encouraged by a few extremists, the people (including
women) of Paris raided the armoury and marched on Versailles.
4) They besieged the Palace, which housed the Assembly and the Court of the
King.
5) On the next day, 6th October, the crowd forced Louis and the Assembly to
abandon the palace of Versailles and come to Paris instead.
6) The king, now effectively a prisoner in Paris, lost his nerve completely, and
ceased to play any kind of effective role in the revolution.
7) The assembly, formerly away from the violent Parisian mob, not sat in the
heart of the capital. A number of monarchists stayed away from the
Assembly for fear of the crows, giving the Revolutionists a firm majority.

Reforms of the National Assembly

The deputies of the National Assembly followed the royal family to Paris. Over the
next two years, the Assembly made ne laws, changing the way France was organised
and run. Some of the more significant reforms were:
1) Active citizens (men over the age of 25 who pay a certain amount of tax)
were able to elect electors (who pay an even higher rate of tax). The electors
would elect the Judges and the Legislative Assembly (745 Deputies who make
the decisions). The King would nominate 6 Ministers of State and the King
had the right to veto anything agreed by the Assembly.
2) France was divided into 83 Departments, each run by an elected council.
3) All Church land was confiscated so that it could be sold in order to pay off
Frances debts.
4) Many groups were given equality and the same voting rights as others.
5) Many taxes were abolished and many new taxes were introduced.
6) The Chruch was reformed: a Civil Constitution of the Clergy said that
bishops and priests must be elected by the people and must take an oath of
loyalty to France.
7) The Assembly introduced a constitution describing how France would be
governed.

The flight to Varennes

Louis XVI was deeply unhappy with the Civil Constitution. He sided with the priests
who refused to take an oath of loyalty to the people of France. This made him look
as if he opposed the revolution. He was also thought Paris was scary because of the
mobs, he was losing power and the nation was against him.

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Their aim was to get help from French princes and exiles who had already left France
and built armies just across the frontier. They also hoped for assistance from Marie
Antoinettes brother Leopard, the Emperor of Austria. There, they would be able to
invade Paris, get rid of the Assembly, and regain his power.

Close to midnight on 21st June 1791, Louis XVI and his family crept out the palace, all
in disguise. A carriage took them away but 50 km from the frontier, they were
recognised. They were arrested and sent back to Paris. As they went, crowds
shouted insults and spat at the windows.

Champ de Mars Massacre

On 17th July 1791, the National Constituent Assembly issued a decree that the Louis
XVI would remain King under a constitutional monarchy. Later that day, republicans
in France rallied the decision.

Jacques Pierre Brissot, president of the Comit des Recherches of Paris, drew up a
petition demanding the removal of the King. A large crowd gathered at the Champ
de Mars to sign the petition. Lafayette and the National guards dispersed the crowd,
but later an even greater crowd arrived.

Lafayette tried to disperse the crowds again, but people began to throw stones at
the National Guard in retaliation. After firing unsuccessful warning shots, the
National Guards opened fire directly at the crowd. The numbers of deaths are
estimated to be between a dozen to fifty.

Failure of the Constitutional Monarchy

Both the flight to Varennes and the Champ de Mars Massacre were important in the
failure of the Constitutional Monarchy and the end to the Legislative Assembly and
the beginning of the National Convention.

War
France declared war on Austria on the 20th April 1792, in hope of a quick win, the
French armies attacked Austrian bases across the frontier in Belgium, but the
Austrians were better organised, equipped and led, easily beating off the French
attack.

Why did the Revolution become extreme?

1) End of royal authority meant no one could really control France.
2) King tried to veto revolutionary laws.
3) War defeats caused fear of hidden enemies.
4) Economical problems made sans-culottes call for extreme action against rich
enemies.
5) Foreign Duke of Brunswick (1792) promised destruction of Paris if royal
family harmed (the Brunswick Manifesto).
6) National Guards fired on rioters in 1791 angered many sans-culottes,
weakened power of Lafayette.
7) Legislative Assembly could not control sans-culottes.

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8) Groups like Jacobins encouraged extreme demands.

9) Some parts of France refused new laws about Catholic Church France split.
10) migrs (exiles) abroad worked against Revolution.

The Storming of the Tuileries

On 10th August 1792, 20,000 armed men and women marched to the Tuileries,
determined to de-throne Louis XVI. Helped by the National Guards, they broke into
the palace grounds. The Swiss Guards, defending the King, tried to fight them off but
were outnumbered. They retreated, but the attackers caught up with them. Using
knives, pikes and axes, they slaughtered 600 of the Swiss Guards.

The trial of the King

1) On 10th-11th December 1792, the trial of Louis XVI before the National
Convention began when the president of the convention presented Louis
with the charges.
2) He was extensively cross-examined.
3) On 26th December 1792, his lawyers presented his defence, having had only
two weeks to prepare. They claimed Louis was a friend of the revolution,
having taken an active part in 1789.
4) The verdict was almost a foregone conclusion. 683 deputies voted that Louis
was guilty on 14th-15th January 1793.
5) The real debate was over what the punishment would be. Would the King be
put to death or simply be imprisoned.
6) It was close: 319 voted in favour of imprisonment and 361 voted for the King
to be executed, only a marginal majority of the 721 total votes.
7) Louis XVI was executed on 21st January 1793.

Timeline
1) France declared war on Austria (20th April 1792).
2) People declared France in danger and asked their citizens to join their army
(11th July 1792).
3) 20,000 people showed their anger by breaking into the Tuileries, shouting
abuse at the King (20th June 1792).
4) 20,000 armed men and women marched to the Tuileries, determined to de-
throne Louis XVI (10th August 1792).
5) Louis was de-throned and France became a republic (21st September 1792).
6) Louis was beheaded (21st January 1793).

The reign of Terror

Faced with all these disasters, such as a spreading of war, inflation and shortages
and major rebelliom, the Convention set up an emergency group called the
Committee of Public Safety. Its twelve members had the power to do anything they
thought necessary to save France. For the next twelve months they used this power
to run France very strictly and to imposes harsh punishments on opponents. So
harsh was the Committees rule that it was known as the Reign of Terror.

The Law of Suspects

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Beginning of the Terror - September 1793.

People in every town had to draw up lists of suspected opponents.
Over 250,000 arrested.
Most sent to Paris for trial by Revolutionary Tribunal special court set up
to deal with political offences.
Half the sentences imposed were for execution.

Terror in the provinces

The Committee of Public Safety took extreme measures to crush the revolts
in the countryside.
In the Vende, the biggest revolt was taking place, the Representative on
Mission was Jean-Baptiste Carrier.
2,000 died in drowning at Noutes.
2,000 rebels were executed in Lyons.
To speed up death, prisoners were lined up in front of open graves and
blasted into them with cannon fire.

Terror in the Armed Forces

In August 1793, the Convention ordered a Mass Levy of the French people
This meant everyone had to help the army in some way.
Unmarried men had to join the army to fight.
Married men were to make weapons.
Women were to make tents and help in hospitals.
Children were to make bandages and gunpowder.
This increased the army to 800,000 men, almost three times the size of the
Coalitions armies.
Strict discipline was kept.
Generals who lost battles were replaced with younger officers.

Economic Terror
In September 1793, the Committee halted the rise in food prises.
This meant keeping the price of other goods fixed.
This meant keeping peoples wages fixed.
Breaking the Maximum carried the death penalty.

Terror in the Church

The sans-culottes were against religion and closed down churched, robbed
their bells and the silver and sacked their priests.
Cult of Reason, based on revolutionary ideas, took place of Christianity.
The Convention introduced a new calendar against Christianity, starting it
from September 1972 (Revolution).

Results of the Terror

The Committee of Public Safety achieved their aim, saving France from
collapse.

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By mid-1794, the French armies had drove their enemies out of France and
had occupied Austrian Netherlands.
Although priced were still rising, the Committee managed to avoid a famine.
The success caused 35,000 to 40,000 people had been executed or died in
prisons.
Everybodys rights and freedom had been limited, prices are rising.
The Committee had become a twelve-man dictatorship.

Was the Terror necessary?

The Committee of Public Safety would prevent the Jacobins becoming too extreme
and reduce the amount of bloodshed created, saying it will take action under critical
circumstances.

The Committee will also control and watch the government, in order to keep France
safe; saying because of a drastic increase in armies had ended the civil war. This
would prevent revolts and a new revolution from occurring and also boost the war
that was happening at the time. Setting a maximum price on essential items is
important so poorer people got these items and dont get angry, leading to further
revolts. The levee en masse meant that all the people of France were helping for
services to the army, including all older citizens, women and children. This would
help France beat their enemies in the on going war.

Revolutionary tribunal
A revolutionary trial was extremely unfair and some the laws were:
Suspects shall be locked up.
The proof necessary to convict enemies of the people can be any kind of
evidence which is obvious to a normal person.
If proof already exists there need be no further hearing of witnesses.
The penalty for all offences under the law of revolutionary tribunal is death.
No person would allow the suspect to speak up for themselves and everyone would
accuse them of being guilty.

Robespierre
Hero:
Early on in his career, in the 1780s, Robespierre becomes a lawyer and
defends poor people
Robespierre, between 18789-92 supported the abolition of slavery and of the
death penalty.
In July 1793, Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety starts the
Terror to deal with the crisis in France.
In his speeches, Robespierre addresses what he is trying to achieve. He says
he wanted a country in which the government looks after the welfare of
every individual.
Robespierre justified his methods od using Terror by saying Terror is nothing
but quick and hard justice.

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Robespierre was seen as a man who only did what he did for france by a
fellow member of the Committee of Public Safety. He believed that what he
did was the only way to stop the spread of evil.
In the 1890s, a British historian said that his rule was superior and even when
he had access to large sums of money, he lived on a deputys allowance.
In recent times, a French biographer of Robespierre wrote he was the
Revolutions outstanding leader.

Villain:
During the Terror, in 1793-94, Robespierre orders to prevent the countryside
revolts and he has many people executed.
In July 1794, Frances crisis has ended and the Terror is no longer needed.
Robespierre was viewed at the time badly by the sans-culottes as one called
him a bastard and that he is not satisfied with being such a powerful leader,
and is greedy for more.
On 28th September 1792, an article was produced in England stating that
Robespierre was bred a butcher.
A drawing was produced depicting the reign of Robespierre, showing the
extreme loss of lives caused by him.
Robespierre was seen as extremely touchy and suspicious, seeing plots and
treason everywhere by the radical mayor of Paris at the time.
After his execution, Robespierre was said to have been a depraved monster
of small and talent by a government enquiry.
An article was produced by a British newspaper in 1987 and included that
Robespierre was physically repulsive, charmless of mediocre intelligence as
well as more criticism.

Fall of Robespierre
1) Robespierres new religion, Cult of Supreme Being, he established offended
lots of groups. He upset the sans-culottes as they were against religion and
Robespierres idea of creating a new national religion to unite French citizens.
It also upset Catholics because it did not include any Catholic rules or beliefs.
Others felt Robespierre was planning to become the high priest and gain
more power.
2) Losing the support of the population and the Revolution heavily relied on
mass support. Also, people became scared of Robespierre and felt the need
to attack him first. Many felt the Terror was unnecessary and Robespierre
wanted power. Because of who he suspected who were plotting against the
government, all groups felt threatened.
3) Robespierre generated enemies in the government, losing the support of
important and influential figures. He made the two committees (CPS and
CGS) become enemies. His religion had also offended people in the
government. Also people in the government felt so threatened from
Robespierre.

The Coup of Thermidor

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By the summer of 1794, the Committee was very unpopular. Many deputies dislike
the Convention because they though it was too powerful. Others dislike it because of
fear. Others felt the Terror was unnecessary. The sans-culottes became unhappy
because their wages were held down by the Maximum law, while prices were still
rising.

On 27th July 1794-9 Thermidor, the Convention decided to get rid of the Committees
leading member, Robespierre, along with his supporters. Twenty-one were arrested
and guillotined the following day. A further ninety-six were executed the day after.
With Robespierre dead, the Convention reduced the power of the Committee, freed
hundreds of suspects, abolished the Maximum and got rid of the revolutionary
tribunal. The Terror thus came to an end.

Rise of Napoleon
The Directory
Five politicians known as the Directory took charge.
Their policies were anti-Royalist but they also did not want the Terror to
return.
However, they were not very popular because:
Not trusted by sans-culottes/Jacobins.
Not trusted by Girodins/Royalists.
Trying to dictate.
Economical crisis.
Foreign threat.

The Vendmiaire Rising (October 1795)

Led by Count of Provence (Louis XVIII), calling for the restoration of the pre-
1795 system.
Royalist didnt rebel, but were opposed to the economical policies of the
Convention.
Napoleon was in charge of the artillery on the Conventions forces. He
defeated the rebels (4,800 vs 25,000)

Coup of 1797
Monarchists won 180 out of 260 seats, meaning possible restoration (King).
3rd-4th September Napoleon arrested 53 members of Convention and 2of
the Directors (out of 5).
Therefore, Napoleon saved republic twice on two occasions.

Napoleon in Italy
6th April 1795 Treaty of Basle, Prussia surrendered to France, France turned
to Austria.
Napoleon not given the key role to attack Austria.

Italy

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Napoleons brief was to conquer Piedmont and Lombardy with only 30,000
men.
Napoleon had a series of quick fights (victories) against the Piedmonts and
the Austrians.
10th May 1796 Defeat of the Austrians at Lodi, enabling Napoleon to enter
Milan.
February 1797 Armistice between France and Austria.
Napoleon made his own terms without asking the Directory in Paris.

Treaty of Campoformio
Austria recognized Belgium as French territory.
Napoleon gave Venice to Austria.
Lombardy and Modena were joined together to form the Cisalpine Republic.
Switzerland 1798 French forces entered to support Swiss patriots. They
created the Helvetic Republic.
By 1799, the victories achieved by the armies of the Directory had resulted in
the creation of a number of revolutionary states dependent on France:
The Helvetian Republic (Switzerland).
The Botswana Republic (Holland).
The Cisalpine Roman and Parthenopean Republics (Italy).

Napoleon in Egypt
Following his outstanding success in Italy, winning the War of the First Coalition, the
Directors out Napoleon in command of an Army of the East. His orders were to
attack Britains trade and colonies in the Far East. He began by invading Egypt, half
way on the trade route to India.

Napoleon quickly defeated the Egyptians in July 1798 but the British Royal Navy sunk
their ships, leaving Napoleon and his army marooned in Egypt for a year. Back in
France, a Second Coalition had been formed and had driven France out of Italy and
Central Europe. Napoleon finally heard of these defeats and fled back to France to
save his country, abandoning his army in Egypt.

Napoleon seizes power (Coup of Brumaire)

One of the Directors was plotting to get rid of his fellow Directors, close down the
Councils, and create a new, stronger government. He asked Napoleon as a military
backing along with another Director and Napoleons brother, Lucien (President of
one of the Councils). On 9th November, they tricked the Councils in making Napoleon
commander of all troops in Paris.

The next day, Napoleon went to the Councils to ask them to change the government.
However, they had discovered they had been tricked, and they swore an oath to
defend the Directory. When Napoleon appeared, before them, many people tried to
kill him. He had soldiers waiting outside and they protected Napoleon, leaving a
handful of people, who voted in favour of Napoleon.

The Consulate
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France was now governed by three Consuls, with only the First Consul, Napoleon,
having power to make decisions. Four new Councils were creates; the Council of
State, a Senate, a Tribunate and a Legislative Body. Many people were in favour of
this new government.

Victory in war
Napoleons most urgent task as First Consul was to defend France from the armies of
the Second Coalition. He crossed the Alps and then defeat the Austrians at the Battle
of Marengo, ending the War of the Second Coalition. Austria signed the Treaty of
Lunville in 1801, leaving France in control of Belgium, some German lands and
northern Italy.

Paintings
Method How did he use it?
Comparison with only Napoleon used comparison with leaders like
strong leaders from Charlemagne and Hannibal to set his military
history achievements as equal to the great military
achievements of the past. This made people equate
Napoleon with these great leaders.
Positive continuity Napoleon displays red quite clearly as red was the main
with the French colour of the revolution, showing he is in favour of the
Revolution revolution. He uses this to show he is with the people.
Reference to classical Napoleon refers to himself as an Emperor rather than a
past King as the new revolutionary France despises kings
because of Louis XVI. He aligned himself with previous
constitutions that were successful.

Timeline
1) Napoleon crosses the Alps (May 1800).
2) Napoleon defeats the Austrians at the Battle of Marengo (14 th June 1800).
3) Austria signs the Treaty of Lunville (February 1801).
4) Britain signs the Peace of Amiens (March 1802).
5) Napoleon made Consul for life by popular vote (2nd August 1802).

Reforms
How Napoleon change France between 1801 and 1804:
1) Millions of Catholics were angry with France being de-Christianised and that
churches were closed. Seven 1801, he signed an agreement with the Pope,
called the Concordat. In this agreement, Napoleon agreed to allow Catholics
to worship freely. This gave the support of millions of people who hated the
Revolution.
2) In 1802, he begun a reform of the countrys schools because he had been
made Consul-for-life. The main change was the creation of the lyce. A strict
military based secondary school. This meant he gained more supporters, as
people had better education.
3) He made a reform of the French law compressed into seven books called
codes, he began in 1804 with a Code of Civil Law called Code Napolon and

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codes of criminal and commercial law were added for the next 5 years.
Individual rights, freedom of belief and equality before the law were all
included in the codes. This showed his citizens that they had rights and that
Napoleon cared about them, increasing his popularity.
4) In 1804, Napoleon, anointed himself as Emperor. This increased his power
further and France became an empire after 12 years of being a republic. He
had millions of votes in his favour, which made him hugely powerful.
5) In 1804, he brought back nobility; the nobles would be more loyal to him.
However Napoleons nobles werent allowed any privileges.

Problems
Political:
There was conflict inside the government because of what Robespierre had
done and the enemies he had made and the division. The Directory made
poor decisions and disappointed the people of France.

Economical:
France was in economical debt due to failed harvests and the revolution,
which they tries to solve by starting new wars, which they lost and
consequently lost money. They had to borrow money from other countries.
Inflation, money is increased value, meaning it is harder for people to live.

Social:
Robespierres abolishment of Christianity and creation of the Cult of Supreme
offended many groups. Also, France was in a confused state due to the
Revolution and the Terror, causing internal problems in the country. The
extremists were not willing to help the progression of France. There are still
rebels against the Revolution.

Military:
France began to lose wars and especially the War of the Second Coalition was
difficult and there was a threat of invasion.

Solutions
Political:
Napoleon created a complex bureaucracy to help administer the French
state.
Napoleon made members of his family and other loyal followers kings of the
countries he conquered.
Napoleon created the Imperial Nobility in 2808, they had no privileges, but
the titles were used as rewards for loyalty.

Economical:
Napoleon fixed prices for bread and flour and limited export of corn in 1812.
Taxed increased hugely to pay for Napoleons wars, especially in conquered
territory.

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Napoleon created the Continental System, which forced countries he

conquered to only trade with other countries in the French Empire, not
Britain.

Social:
Despite crowning him Emperor in 1804, the pope was imprisoned by
Napoleon in 1809.
Napoleon exported his legal and education reforms to the countries he
conquered.
Napoleon abolished the Spanish Inquisition in 1813.

Military:
Napoleon won a series of dramatic victories over his enemies, increasing the
fame of him and his soldiers.
Fighting in Napoleons wars became compulsory for all young, unmarried
men. Defectors and their families were punished harshly.
Constant campaigning was a serious drain on the French population,
particularly the failed Russian campaign in 1812.

Battle of Austerlitz
Troops hiding in the mist.
Napoleons general waiting to attack.
Weakened right flank, presents himself as
weak.
Greater number of Russians and Austrians.

Russians and Austrians attack

Devout (Napoleons general) attacks the
Russians and Austrians and wins.
Elite troops go up the hill and clear the rest
of the Russians and Austrians and go on the
hill.

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Napoleon drives Russians and Austrians

further.
Napoleons troops advance greatly into the
north.
Destroys the Roman Empire.
Napoleon is now in charge of Europe
because of Austerlitz and Ulm.
Ends War of the Third Coalition.

Fall of Napoleon
The Russian Campaign
Napoleon gathered a Grand Army of 655,000 men and invaded Russia in the
summer of 1812. The Russian armies retreated before the massive onslaught. After
defeating them in the Battle of Borodino, Napoleon entered the capital, Moscow, in
September 1812.

Only two months later, his men were on the retreat. By the time they crossed the
border back into Europe, only 50,000 were still alive. The Grand Army had been
wiped out.

Problems began as soon as the Grand Army entered Russia. This led to immediate
transport problems for the French army. The lack of horses meant that the French
had to dump huge amounts of their stores by the roadside. Food and medicines ran
short. The situation did not improve even when they reached Moscow. The Tsar, his
government and many of people of Moscow abandoned the city, set it on fire as
they want, and retreated to safety in the countryside. Napoleon did not have the
time or the men to follow them. Nor could he stay in Moscow because he could not
feed his army during the coming winter. He therefore ordered the army to retreat.
Winter, however, came early, and the French were unprepared. As the French
retreated, the weather got colder. In December, temperatures dropped twenty
degrees below zero, and men froze. As the winter set in, food ran out, and freezing
men did desperate things to get food and warmth.

During Napoleons six-month campaign, 360,000 French soldiers died in battle, of

illness or of the cold. A further 200,000 were taken prisoner; half of the men died in
captivity. 200,000 horses also died.

Elba
Napoleons defeat in Russia led to the Tsar of Russia organising a new Coalition
against him, including Russia, Sweden, Prussia and Britain, all joining together as
allies in 1813. Napoleon was forced to surrender in April 1813 and France was given
to Louis XVIs brother (Louis XVIII).

The allies allowed Napoleon to keep his title of Emperor, but exiled him to the island
of Elba. For nearly a year, Napoleon ran the island as a little country. When he heard

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that Louis XVIII was becoming unpopular, he decided to return to France. Louis fled
while Napoleon was welcomed warmly, and began to set up his empire.

The Hundred Days'

Napoleons second empire lasted just 95 days. The leaders of Austria, Britain, Russia
and Prussia put together six armies of almost a million men and set out to crush him.
Napoleon marched with 122,000 men to meet them in Belgium. He beat one of the
Prussian armies on the 16th June and then attacked the British at Waterloo, in
Belgium, on the 18th June. The British, reinforced by Prussians defeated his attack.
Napoleon fled back to Paris.

Napoleon would have continued with war, but the Assembly wanted peace. Without
the support of the leading politicians, Napoleon abdicated (gave up his throne) on
the 22nd June. He gave himself up to a British warship, escaping from the Prussians
who wanted his execution. Napoleon hoped that the British would allow him to live
freely in Britain, but instead, he was stranded on the island of St Helena in the South
Atlantic, where he spent the rest of his life in captivity. He died in 1821.

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