The French Revolution Unit 10: Age of Democratic Revolution

Objectives

Compare and

contrast the

characteristics

and consequences

of the American

and French

Revolutions.

1700s France 1700s France is one of the most advanced

countries in Europe:

Center of Enlightenment

Successful trade; large population

Culture was admired around the world

However, there was great unrest inside France

(high prices, high taxes)

Estates

Old Regime- system of feudalism left

over from Middle Ages

Three Estates (social classes):

First: Nobility

Second: Clergy

Third: everyone else (98%)

The heavily taxed and discontented Third

Estate was eager for change.

Enlightenment Ideas

New views on power and authority in

government spread in Third Estate

Third Estate used words like equality, liberty, and

democracy

Success of American Revolution inspired them

Economic Problems & A Weak King

Economy failing

Cost of living rose; price

of bread rose

Deep in debt due to

extravagant spending by

monarchy

When France went

bankrupt, King Louis XVI

called a meeting of the

Estates-General for a tax

reform.

National Assembly

Because the Third Estate’s voice was not heard

at the Estates-General meeting, they created

the National Assembly to pass laws for the

French People (a representative government).

Storming of the Bastille Louis senses trouble and hires foreign soldiers

to occupy Paris for his safety.

Rumors fly that these troops are coming to

massacre French citizens. A Bastille prison falls

to the French citizens in the chaos.

Great Fear

Rebellion spread through the countryside. Senseless panic and riots.

Anger spread against king and queen and citizens broke into Versailles palace and forced Louis and family to Paris.

Napoleon’s Empire Collapses

Three mistakes led to Napoleon’s weakness:

Continental System

War with Spain

Invasion of Russia

The other European powers took advantage of his weakness and exiled him.

Hundred Day Bid for Power

One more bid for power during the

Battle of Waterloo. Prussia and Britain

defeated him and he was exiled to St.

Helena island.

Balance of Power

Legitimacy- The agreement that as

many as possible of the rulers whom

Napoleon had driven from their thrones

should be restored to power.

Restored France to a constitutional

monarchy

Causes of the French Revolution

Causes

Enlightenment ideas

American Revolution

Social/economic injustice from Old Regime

Economic crisis

Weak leadership

Discontent of the Third estate

Important Points of the French

Revolution Fall of the Bastille

National Assembly

Declaration of the Rights of Man and a

new Constitution

Effects of the French Revolution

End of the Old Regime

Execution of monarchs

War with the First Coalition

Reign of Terror

Rise of Napoleon

Conservative reaction

Decline in French Power

Enlightenment Ideas

Rise of International organizations

Revolutions in Latin America

Compare and contrast the French and American Revolution.

Group members are either Researchers or Drawers.

American Revolution: P. 563

French Revolution: P.573