The French Revolution Turns

BloodyA. Execution of a King

B. The Reign of Terror

C. Napoleon’s Coup d'état

D. Reforms to French Society

E. Quest for Empire

A. The Execution of a King

• King Louis was imprisoned in Paris until 1793

• Stripped of his power by the new Constitution

• In January 1793 the National Convention (the new government) tried him for treason

• He was found guilty and executed on January 21, 1793

• In October 1793, Queen Marie Antoinette was also executed.

B. The Reign of Terror

• Since the beginning of the Revolution things were chaotic

• No clear plan of what the people wanted

• Most chaotic period was July 1793 – July 1794

• Known as the Reign of Terror

• During this time, Maximilien Robespierre is in charge of the new government

• He will execute anyone he sees as a traitor to the Revolution.

• No one is safe from the guillotine until the Terror ends and Robespierre is executed.

C. Napoleon’s Coup d'état

• France fighting neighboring nations throughout the Revolution

• Napoleon Bonaparte was an officer in the French army

• Napoleon will be able to defeat the other nations and protect the French Revolution

• He is considered a national hero

• However, the new government is weak and can’t control the people

• Napoleon (with the support of the army) will overthrow the government and gain control (coup d'état) in November 1799

D. Reforms to French Society

• Napoleon’s first goal is to bring order to France and end the fighting

• He will make 3 major changes to French society:

1. Napoleonic Code – uniform set of laws that applied equally to ALL

2. Lyceés – French public school system created so everyone could attend and have an education.

3. Tax and Banking System – Everyone paid taxes and he created a national bank to make sure there was enough money to pay the bills

E. Quest for Empire

• Napoleon not satisfied by just being the ruler of France

• He wanted an empire– Wanted to control Europe

• In 1804, he crowns himself emperor