Chapter 6 Outline

Section 1: On the Eve of Revolution

Riots were prevalent, but the nobles were not worried. Although France is in an economic crisis,
the nobles believe reforms will fix it. But little did they know that reforms are not enough. The
poor and unemployed will start an armed uprising.
French Society Divided
French Society has three different social classes (estates): First estate is clergy, second estate
is nobles, third estate is the rest of the people.
I. The Clergy Enjoy Wealth
A. The Church is rich and powerful, owning lots of land, collect lots of taxes, but some
members of the clergy are poor such as parish priests
B. Church provided social services psych as orphanages and school
1. The Enlightenment is strongly against Church and believes in reforms of it
II. Nobles Hold Top government Jobs
A. Nobles used to enjoy absolutism
B. Nobles fight for appointments to jobs
1. Many nobles do not get these powers and are becoming poorer because they lack
financial income
2. Rising prices make wealth hard to maintain
C. Nobles dislike absolutism
1. Jobs were not reserved for them
2. Fear of loosing privilege
III. Third Estate is Vastly Diverse
A. Bourgeois are middle class men
1. Some rich like merchants, bankers, lawyers, doctors
2. Others are poor like rural farmers
B. Poorest middle class are urban workers who work in industries
1. Many are so poor or unemployed that they turned to begging and crime
C. Resent Social betterers
1. Rich urban class can buy jobs but resent nobles because there are some jobs that
cant be bought
2. Poor people cant afford living
D. Economical Problems
1. First and second Estate dont have to pay taxes
2. Peasants owed money date to medieval times
a) Peasants owed Corvee: unpaid labor to repair roads and bridges
3. Nobles imposed old manor dues due to their economic pressure for rising prices
E. Enlightenment Ideal: Encourage people to question system Why do the first and second
estate get tax-free privileges?

Financial Troubles
Deficit Spending: government spends more money than it takes in caused financial crisis in
France, adding to social unrest.
I. National Debt Soars
A. Causes of Debt
1. Louis XIV left France in debt
2. 7 years war and American revolution strained treasury
3. Prices rose
a) People starved too
B. French government borrowed much money to narrow income and expense
1. France was later in debt and tax was used to pay back the debt
C. Nobles and clergy prevented economic reform
II. Economic Reform Fails

A. Louis XV spent much money

B. Louis XVI spent much money, but appointed Jacques Necker, an expert economist for
reform
1. Jacques Necker proposed reform, but later suggested taxing first and second estate
2. Idea dismissed
C. Crisis continued, Louis XVI forced to call Estates-General
1. Legislative body with all estates representatives
D. Kings are afraid Estates-General may catalyze feudal power of nobles
E. Nobles want to use estates general to catalyze change
1. Bring about the enforcement of their privileges
2. Control absolute monarch
Louis XVI Calls the Estates-General
France is nearly bankrupted and rebellions become prevalent. Nobles who fear taxes denounce
tyranny and call for Estates General.
I. Estates Prepare Grievance Notebooks (Cahiers)

A. Write grievances in notebooks

B. Ideas such as
1. fair taxes, freedom of press, regular estates general meeting
2. Absurd regulation makes leather expensive and shoemaking impossible
3. Servant girls get to rest
4. Tax collectors are blood suckers
5. Nobles drink last drop of blood from france
6. Clergy devours half of France while everyone else devour other half

II. Delegates Take the Tennis Court Oath

A. Propertied man can vote for representatives, so 3rd estate are educated people who
read from Voltaire, Rousseau and other philosophers
B. Voting
1. Votes are often dead locked since each estates get one vote, and 1st and 2nd estate
outvote 3rd estate
2. Vote were begun to be counted by head
C. Declared national assembly
1. Louis XVI locked the normal estates general meeting room
2. Meet at the handball court
D. Made important oaths
1. Always to meet
2. Never to separate
3. Meet always until just constitution is finished
Parisians Storm the Bastille
I. Rumor has it that Royal troops will occupy Paris
II. Bastille
A. Occupy it to get weapons in the prison
B. General guard of Bastille refused to open and open fire on people
C. People rush into Bastille but found no weapon
III. Symbol
1. Bastille became a symbol of resentment of monarchy

2. Showed Louis XVI that regime is in danger

3. French Independence Day

Section 2: The French Revolution Unfolds

French revolution have many different phases: Moderate phase of National Assembly and
Constitutional monarchy, radicalism and reign of terror, the directory fighting extremism, and the
age of Napoleon.
Political Crisis Leads to Revolt
The peasants suffered from famine while bread prices soared. More and more unemployed
while employed people spent 80% of money on bread.
I. Rumors Create the Great Fear
A. Rumors spread
1. Government will attack villages, seize peasant crops
B. With hunger, poverty, and fear, peasants revolted against nobles who were trying to
impose old manor dues
1. Burned manor records, stole grain
2. Demonstrated peasants anger against the regime
II. Paris Commune Comes to Power
A. Factions formed in Paris, the revolution center
1. The Guard
a) Have tri-colors
b) Led by Lafayette against royal troops
(1) Hero of the two worlds (New and Old)

2. Paris Commune
a) Radical
b) Gained control of government
c) Use media such as new paper and clubs to gain influence and spread words
The National Assembly Acts
National Assembly meeting ends nobles rights
I. Special Privilege Ends
A. End of Feudalism, France is reborn
B. Ensures equality of all male citizens before the law
1. Nobles vote turned into law to ensure the above
II. Declaration of the Rights of Man
A. Modeled after American Declaration of Independence
B. People are born with natural rights: Liberty, Property, Security, and resistance to
oppression
C. Governments existed to protect citizens natural rights
D. People can hold office, and only judged by talent and virtues
E. People are equal under French Law, and taxs are paid according to ability to pay
F. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.
G. Women were disappointed that the revolution have no mention of womens rights
H. Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen
1. Equal rights for women
2. Met resistance
3. Women who wrote it were jailed and executed
I. Louis XVI resisted declaration of rights of man
1. Did things accordingly with no change
a) Nobles held banquets
b) Poor continue to starve
III. Women March on Versailles
A. Women march to versailles shouting bread!
B. Against Marie Antoinette
1. Sister of Joseph II, daughter of Maria Theresa
2. Lived life of extravagance
3. Bored with court
4. Compassionate to poor, but lifestyle covered her kindness
C. Demanded King return to Paris
1. King met demand and returned
D. Now we don't have to go so far to see the king!
1. King in Paris virtual prisoner

The National Assembly Presses Onward

National Assembly followed King to Paris. It drafted a constitution to return debts to bourgeois.
Church property are sold.
I. The Church is Placed Under State Control

A. Government ended papal supremacy in France and made church officials elected and
salaried
B. Met great resistance, from the pope, clergy, and peasantry who were conservatives on
religion
C. Peasants and revolutionariess rift grow
II. The Constitution of 1791 Establishes a New Government
A. Constitution completed
1. Set up constitutional monarchy
2. National Assembly decide on war and peace, collect taxes, made laws
a) National assembly elected by male taxpayers over 25
B. Moderates believe that the revolution is complete after the constitution
1. Men are equal under law and can serve in government, church interference ended
III. Louiss Escape Fails
A. Louis XVI attempted to escape to the border to end humiliation
B. Disguised but caught by a person who held up currency with Kings face
C. Soldiers escorted the King back, while crowd insults him as traitor
Radicals Take Over
Supporters of enlightenment applaud the change while European rulers condemned it.

Rulers Fear Spread of Revolution

A. Emigres: Nobles or clergy who flee France, fuel the fear of the revolution among the rest
of Europe
B. Border patrolled increase to prevent French Plague
C. Catherine the Great, who was enlightened in her acts, locked up critics and burned
Voltaires letter
D. Edmund Burke who once supported the American Revolution denounces French
revolution, predicting the escalation of violence
II. Threats From Abroad
A. King Louis XVIs failed attempt to leave France had great impacts
B. Joseph II, Marie Antoinettes brother, issued the declaration of Pilnitz, where Prussia
would intervene to protect the French Monarchy
C. Revolutionaries took it seriously and prepared for war
III. Radicals Fight for Power and Declare War
A. Elected Legislative Assembly survived for less than a year
B. Inflation continued, where Assignats, revolutionary currencys value dropped in value
C. Uncertainty about future resulted in hoarding and shortage of food
D. Working-class men and women, AKA Sans-culotte pushed the revolution to a more
radical side, demanding a republic: government ruled by elected representative rather
than monarch
E. Jacobin, a political club, supported the radical call for a republic with radical newspapers
I.

1. Opposers where moderates and conservatives

IV. The National Assembly Declares War on Tyranny
A. Legislative were filled with radicalism who moved verbal wars between French
Revolutionary and European monarchs to battlefield
B. Legislative Assembly declared war on Prussia, Austria, Britain, and many other
European monarchy

C. European state thought the war wouldnt last long with France which was in turmoil, but
it turned out to only end in 1815

Section 3: Radical Days of the Revolution

The revolution enters a a radical age where the government is bloody and violent.
The Monarchy Is Abolished
Bad news over the war, where Prussian Forces are destroying new French recruits while royal
officers leave France to join Prussian to restore Kings power.
I. Tensions Lead to Violence
A. Rumors about the King betraying France spread, causing mobs to break into Tuilere
Palace while the King fled to the Legislative Assembly
B. In September, mobs break into prisons to murder political and nobles
1. Many innocent, normal prisoners were killed
II. Radicals Take Control and Execute the King
A. Radicals, under peoples support, voted to abolish the Legislative and make a national
convention, which will be elected by all male citizens
B. National convention decided to abolish old order of nobility, abolish monarchy and set up
a republic
C. National convention convicted the King of being a traitor of France, and executed him in
January
1. Marie Antoinette is executed in October
Terror and Danger Grip France
France was in crisis: France is in war with many European states, Peasants and local clergy led
rebellion against government, food shortages and inflation plague the country, while Jacobin
faces political opponent: Girondins
I. The Convention Creates a New Committee
A. Committee of Public Safety created

1. 12-membered committee has absolute power

2. Control trial and execution (Court System)

3. Levy heavy tax for war
B. Men with revolutionary fervor marched into battle
1. France defeats Netherlands and invaded Italy
2. Crush peasant revolts
II. Robespierre the Incorruptible
A. Maximillian Robespierre is a Jacobin popular among Sans-colette
1. Leader of Committee of Public Safety
B. Work hard for the revolutions cause
1. Abolish slavery and fought for religious freedom
C. Believe in Rousseaus general will
D. Used terror to achieve a republic of virtue
1. Terror to him equals blood cold, severe, prompt justice
a) Liberty cannot be secured unless criminals loose their heads.
III. The Guillotine Defines the Reign of Terror

A. Robespierre built the Reign of Terror

B. Court conduct hasty trials
1. Suspects were arrested, many executed or died in prison
2. Many have merely been accused by neighbors, or have mistaken identity
C. Guillotine
1. Dr. Joseph Guillotin, member of Committee of Public Safety introduced it
a) A more humane way of killing
b) Extinguishes life instantly and accurately
c) Symbol of terror
D. End
1. People were tired of terror
2. Convention turned on the committee
3. Robespierre was beheaded

4. Executions slowed
The Revolution Enters Its Third Stage
I. A third Constitution since 1789
II. Calls for a 5-man Directory and two house legislature elected by all male citizen
III. Peace made with Prussia and Spain
IV. The Directory corrupt and suppressed riots
V. Emigre return, Catholic support them
VI. Constitutional Monarchy was supported
VII. Napoleon, a military hero, became popular
A. Directory wanted to use him, but Napoleon outwit them to become the ruler of France
Revolution Brings Change
France changed under revolution. Church was under state control while monarch was
overthrown. People of all social classes are citizen, the only title. Tricolor became popular, while
normal clothing became poplar too.
I. Nationalism Spreads
A. People became patriotic to their country because of the revolution against monarchy
(Nationalism)
1. People WERE loyal to local lords: Feudalism
B. People march to fight tyranny, singing songs of the revolution
C. Nationalism: a strong feeling of pride in and devotion to ones country
D. La Marseilles became popular and later became the French National anthem
1. About fighting tyranny
II. Revolutionaries Push For Social Reform
A. Religious toleration supported
B. State schools replaced church schools to help poor, widows, and old soldier
C. Slavery abolished in the Caribbean France

Section 4: The Age of Napoleon

The Final phase of the revolution: The Age of Napoleon. Napoleon will dominate France and
Europe in years to come.
Napoleon Rises to Power
Born in French ruled Mediterranean island, Napoleon was sent to France to military school. He
was a 20 year old Lieutenant during the French revolution with much ambition. He supported
the Jacobins.
I. Victories Cloud Losses
A. Napoleon had consecutive victories against Britain and Austrian
B. Tried to disrupt trade of Britain, Napoleon led an expedition to Egypt which was a terrible
lost
1. Napoleon used spies and censors to hide his loss
C. Napoleon became a political leader that over threw the directory and drafted a fourth
constitution that called for a 3-man governing body: The Consulate
D. Napoleon named himself the First Consul, and later Consul for life
II. Napoleon Crowns Himself Emperor
A. Napoleon later gained enough support to declare himself emperor
B. Invited public at his coronation, where he crowned himself
1. Owed the crown to himself only
C. At each stage of his rise, Napoleon hold a plebiscite
1. Plebiscite is a popular vote by ballot
D. French supported Napoleon, who wield absolute power
1. Democratic Despotism

Napoleon Reforms France

I. Napoleon replaced Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity with Order, Security, and Efficiency
II. Reforms
A. Build bridges and canals
B. Controlled prices to slow down inflation
C. Built state schools to train French soldiers
III. Made peace with Church at Concordat
A. Church is under state control
B. Catholic can have religious freedom

IV. Support All Classes

A. Encouraged the return of emigres by taking an oath of loyalty
B. Recognized peasants right to lands they bought
C. Economic reforms relieved middle class
D. Meritocracy loved by people
V. Napoleonic Codes
A. Enforced ideals of the Enlightenment
1. All are equal before the law
2. Religious toleration
3. Abolition of Feudalism
B. Undo revolutionary reforms
1. Reduced womens power
2. Men became head of household
a) Authority over rights
Napoleon Builds an Empire
Napoleons military success continued, despite great lost. Napoleon takes great risks and
produce new plans every time so enemy can never anticipate his next move. Reach the height
in 1812
I. The Map of Europe is Redrawn
A. Napoleon annexed Netherlands, Belgium, and
parts of Italy and Germany
B. Replaced Spanish King with his brother
C. Use diplomacy to achieve things
1. Forced-alliances and signed treaties
D. People of France celebrated its grandeur and
glory
II. Napoleon Strikes Britain
A. Britain remains out of reach from French Empire
B. Napoleon prepared fleet for British Invasion
1. Battle at a Spanish port destroyed French
fleet
C. Economic Warfare
1. Continental System
a) Close European ports to British Goods
2. British imposed blockade of European ports,
preventing ships from entering
3. British and French seized neutral ships
suspected of helping the other side
a) British seizing American ships led to the War of 1812
D. Napoleons attempt to wage economic war with Britain failed
1. Britain continues to maintain trade with America and India with its navy keeping
major trade routes open
2. Continental system produced scarcity, making prices in Europe soar
E. Napoleon supported reforms in Europe
1. Liberal reforms supported in lands France conquered
a) Abolished nobilities
b) End Church privileges
c) End serfdom

d) Meritocracy
Napoleons Empire Faces Challenges
Napoleon invaded Russia, which led to his downfall and the end of the French Revolution.
I. Nationalism Works Against Napoleon
A. Nationalism that caused French to fight for France spread in European states
B. People in Europe begun to feel a sense of nationalism and despised French domination
1. Resented Continental System which harmed their economy
C. Revolts were provoked
II. Spain and Austria Battle the French
A. Napoleon tried to reform Spain by abolishing monarchy and weakened Church
1. But the Spanish were still loyal to their monarchy and the Church
2. Nationalism in Spain sparked Spanish revolts
3. French soldiers responded by crushing them
4. Result in strong Spanish nationalism and hatred
B. Spanish patriotic used guerrilla warfare against French
1. Fight French soldiers and run back to country side
2. Tie French soldiers down in Spain, who were needed elsewhere
C. Austrian ended friendly relations with France
1. Austria battled Napoleon, but lost greatly and surrendered more land
III. The Russian Winter Stops the Grand Army
A. Napoleon and Russian Tsar Alexander I used to be allies
1. Russia would divide Europe with Napoleon if he supported Continental System
2. Tsar was unhappy
a) With the economic effect of continental system
b) Duchy of Warsaw was enlarged, which borders Russia

3. Tsar withdrew from the Continental System

a) Napoleon responded by assembling troops to attack Russia
b) Troops from 20 nations, called the Grand Army
B. Napoleon invaded Russia while Russia used scorched-earth policy
1. Scorched Earth policy burn down everything and retreat

C. Napoleons troop suffered from cold Russian Winter, and when he reached Moscow, it
was already winter
D. Napoleon retreated homeward and fought desperate battles against Russia
1. Many soldiers died or deserted
E. Napoleon raised a new army to defend France from foreign invasion
1. Napoleons reputation of winning was destroyed
Napoleon Falls From Power
The incident in Russia brought about a new coalition against France made up of Russia, Britain,
Prussia, and Austria. In 1813, the coalition finally defeated France.
I. Napoleon Abdicates Briefly
A. Napoleon was abdicated (or removed) from power

1. Sent to exile at the Mediterranean island of Elba

B. King Louis XVIII, the brother of Louis XVI, was recognized by the European states as the
ruler of France
1. Promised to respect the Napoleonic code and land settlements
2. Emigres returned
C. Fear of economic depression and the return to the previous regime made Napoleon
popular again
D. When rulers of Europe met in Vienna, Napoleon escaped from his exile and regathered
his army, triumph in Paris
II. Crushed at the Battle of Waterloo
A. Napoleons triumph was short lived

1. Lasting only 100 days

B. Napoleons forces met at Waterloo, a town in Belgium

1. Fought British (led by Duke of Wellington) and Prussian (General Blucher)

C. Napoleon lost and was again forced to abdicate his power and put into exile in St.
Helena, a South Atlantic island.
III. Napoleons Legacy
A. Napoleon died in 1821, but his legacy lived on
B. Impacts on Europe
1. Consolidate Frances reforms
a) Rights to property
b) Expanded suffrage
c) Centralized State
d) State with constitution
e) Access to education
2. Sparked nationalist feelings among European states rather than French Empire
a) A new state of Germany was formed rather than the Holy Roman Empire
3.
C. Louisiana purchase allow the US to expand in size
Leaders Meet at the Congress of Vienna
After Waterloo, leaders met in Vienna to restore stability and order in Europe for 10 months.
Austria: Francis I; Clemens von Metternich
France: Charles Maurice de Talleyrand
Russia: Tsar Alexander I
Britain: Lord Robert Castlereagh
I. Congress Strives For Peace
A. Different states strived for different goals
1. Austria Metternich: Restore back to 1792
2. France Talleyrand: Make each country fight against each other so France can
become equal to all states
3. Britain Castlereagh: Prevent revival of French military power

4. Russia Alexander I: Christian alliance that suppresses any revolutions

B. To prevent French expansion
1. Belgium and Luxembourg was merged with Holland to create the Kingdom of the
Netherlands
2. Austria gained control of Northern Italy
3. Prussia Received control of the Rhine River
C. Restored the principle of legitimacy: restoring hereditary monarchs back to power
1. Portugal, Spain, Italys monarchs were restored
2. Louis XVIII was put back to power
II. Congress Fails to See Traps Ahead
A. Quadruple alliance maintains the balance of power to suppress revolutionary uprisings
B. Created Concert of Europe
1. Periodic meeting to discuss problems
C. No war in Napoleonic scale until 1914
D. Nationalism will shake Europe and Latin America