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World History
Mr. Sadow
Chapter 18 Notes and All Work
Chapter 18- The French Revolution and Napoleon (1789–1815)
Section 1- On the Eve of Revolution
Since the Middle Ages, everyone in France had belonged to one of three social classes called estates. The clergy and the nobles
belonged to the First and Second Estates. These two groups were rich and powerful. They had many special privileges. For example,
they did not have to pay taxes. Most French people belonged to the Third Estate. Nine out of ten people in the Third Estate were
peasants. Their tax burden was huge.
In 1789, France faced several crises that would eventually lead to the destruction of an absolute monarchy and the disruption of a
social system that had existed for over a thousand years. For many years, the government had spent more money than it earned (deficit
spending). In addition, bad harvests caused food prices to rise. Many peasants did not have enough to eat. In towns and in the
countryside, starving people rioted. Dissatisfied members of the bourgeoisie (middle class) called for a constitution (a plan for
government), a republic (government ruled by elected representatives), and other reforms. In the first phase of the French Revolution,
moderates attempted to limit the power of the monarchy and guarantee basic rights of the people, including suffrage (the right to vote),
while different factions (small groups) tried to gain power.
To deal with these problems, King Louis XVI met with the leaders of the three estates. Most common people wanted financial relief,
but the elected members of the Third Estate wanted government reform. After weeks of meetings, its leaders took a daring step. They
created a new government called the National Assembly. Some reform-minded nobles and clergy joined them. The National Assembly
promised to write a new constitution for France. However, dangerous rumors, increasing food shortages, and an attack on the Bastille (a
political prison) kept the problems from being solved. A violent revolution was starting.
Section 2- Creating a New France
In 1789, a terrible famine occurred in France. Starving peasants attacked the homes of nobles. Revolutionary groups took over Paris
and demanded an end to the monarchy. Finally, the nobles agreed to give up their special privileges. The National Assembly began
making reforms. They agreed to abolish feudalism. In 1791, the Assembly finished writing a new constitution that used Enlightenment
ideas. Under this constitution, people had natural rights and the government had to protect those rights, including new women’s rights.
Called The Declaration of the Rights of Men, this part of the French constitution was very similar to the Declaration of Independence and
made all men equal, at least on paper. The constitution created a limited monarchy.
The Assembly also reformed French laws and supported trade. When it took control of the French Catholic Church and sold its lands
to pay back the government debt, the pope, clergy, and many peasants rejected the revolution. Other groups, however, wanted more
changes. Violent disagreements soon caused the downfall of the Assembly.
News about the French Revolution spread across Europe. While many Europeans supported the revolution, rulers and nobles were
afraid that revolutionary ideas would spread to their own countries. After the French king and his family made an unsuccessful attempt to
flee, the King of Prussia promised that he would fight to save the French monarchy. In 1792, France declared war on Austria, Prussia,
Britain, and several other European states. The fighting lasted for years.
Section 3- Radical Days
The war with other European nations went badly for the French forces. People thought the king was helping the enemy. Mobs
attacked the king’s guards and killed nobles. Radical revolutionaries, supported by Paris crowds, took control of the Assembly in 1792.
These radicals ended the monarchy, made France a republic, and wrote another new constitution. In 1793, they executed (to put to death)
the king and queen for treason and killed thousands of upper class people, including captured émigrés (those who fled France during the
revolution).
By 1793, France was at war with most of Europe. Within France, peasants rioted for food, and revolutionary groups fought against
each other. To restore order, the new government set up the Committee of Public Safety, which had absolute power. Using a new
invention called the guillotine, the committee, led by Maximilien Robespierre, beheaded thousands of people for treason, even supporters
of the revolution. They put thousands more in prison. This period is called the Reign of Terror.
By 1799, life in France had changed. The monarchy and the old class system were gone. The government controlled the Church.
French people began to feel proud of France. This feeling of intense pride in your country is called nationalism. The new government
continued to make important reforms. It set up schools for children and organized a system to care for the poor. Slavery in the French
colonies ended. Religious tolerance was the law.
Section 4- The Age of Napoleon Begins
When the French Revolution started, Lieutenant Napoleon Bonaparte began to earn rapid promotions. He led the French army in
victories against Britain and Austria. A general by 1799, Napoleon helped overthrow the French government. He organized a new
government and put himself in charge. Five years later, Napoleon took the title Emperor of the French. At each step of his rise to power,
the French voted their support during plebiscites (ballots in which voters say yes or no to something).
The policies that Napoleon set up show why he was so popular. Napoleon strengthened the French government and restored order.
He improved the economy and encouraged new industry. Napoleon built roads and canals and supported public schools. Some of his
reforms continued the spirit of the revolution. Peasants could legally keep the Church land they bought. Careers were opened to anyone
with ability. One of his most important reforms was a new set of laws called the Napoleonic Code. These laws included many
Enlightenment ideas but undid some reforms of the Revolution.
From 1804 to 1814, Napoleon defeated the greatest nations of Europe and built an empire during war and by annexing (to add land to
your country by taking land) other countries. He conquered the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Italy and Germany. He ended the
Holy Roman Empire and divided Prussia. Napoleon replaced the monarchs of the defeated nations with friends and family. Only Britain
remained outside Napoleon’s empire.
Section 5- The End of the Era
Under Napoleon, French armies spread the ideas of the French Revolution across Europe. The French overthrew European monarchs
and set up their own governments. They reduced the power of the Church, increased the power of the secular (nonreligious) groups in
France and ended serfdom. Many Europeans welcomed the ideas of the French Revolution. However, they did not welcome the French
rulers. Nationalism caused conquered people to reject French control. From Italy to Spain to the Netherlands, people rebelled against the
French while Britain’s fleet set up a naval blockade (a military tactic through which ports are shut off to keep people or supplies from
moving in or out) to suffocate France.
The end of the empire began in 1812 when Napoleon invaded Russia. The invasion was a disaster. Many French soldiers died during
the long Russian winter while guerrilla warfare (hit and run raids) further destroyed the French army. The following year, an alliance of
Russia, Britain, Austria, and Prussia defeated Napoleon at the town of Leipzig and forced him to abdicate (to step down) and live on an
island in the Mediterranean. Despite his defeat, Napoleon is credited with creating modern Europe and spreading nationalism, which
would unfortunately create future wars.
After the defeat of Napoleon, European leaders met at the Congress of Vienna. They hoped to create peace after 25 years of war. One
of their goals was to return Europe to the way it was in 1792, before Napoleon. To accomplish this goal, they gave power back to the
monarchs of Europe. The leaders of Europe also took steps to create a balance of power. To prevent France from going to war again,
they strengthened the countries around it. To protect the new order, European states formed a peacekeeping organization. Peace lasted
100 years.
World History
Mr. Sadow
Chapter 18 Homework Assignments
Section 1, Due by
1. What did the old regime and social system in France consist of?
2. What was France burdened with before the French Revolution?
3. Define bourgeoisie.
4. Define deficit spending.
5. Define factions.
6. Define republic.
7. Define suffrage.
in complete sentences in your own words
Section 2, Due by
in complete sentences in your own words
1. What happened to the power of the Church during the French Revolution? Why?
2. What was The Declaration of the Rights of Men?
3. What happened to the power of women during the French Revolution?
4. How did other countries feel about France during the French Revolution?
Section 3, Due by
1. Define émigrés.
2. Define nationalism.
3. Why were the King and Queen of France beheaded?
4. What was the impact of nationalism on France?
in complete sentences in you r own words
Section 4 Due by
in complete sentences in your own words
1. Who was the French emperor who dominated Europe in the early 1800s? How did he come to power?
2. Define annex.
3. What were France’s feelings towards Napoleon?
Section 5 Due by
1. Define guerilla warfare.
2. Define abdicate.
3. Define secular.
in complete sentences in your own words
4. Define blockade.
5. Why was the French army defeated in Russia?
6. What was Napoleon’s legacy?