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French Revolution 01 Revision Notes

The French Revolution was driven by economic crises, social inequality, and intellectual influences, leading to the formation of the National Assembly and key events like the storming of the Bastille. The revolution resulted in the end of feudalism, reduced church control, and the rise of radical factions, culminating in the Reign of Terror. Napoleon Bonaparte eventually emerged from the chaos, establishing himself as a leader and spreading revolutionary ideals across Europe before his defeat in 1815.

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16 views10 pages

French Revolution 01 Revision Notes

The French Revolution was driven by economic crises, social inequality, and intellectual influences, leading to the formation of the National Assembly and key events like the storming of the Bastille. The revolution resulted in the end of feudalism, reduced church control, and the rise of radical factions, culminating in the Reign of Terror. Napoleon Bonaparte eventually emerged from the chaos, establishing himself as a leader and spreading revolutionary ideals across Europe before his defeat in 1815.

Uploaded by

ronak828743
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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French Revolution

French Society Structure:

❖ Divided into three Estates: clergy and nobles (First and Second Estates) with
privileges, and commoners (Third Estate), including peasants and the middle
class (bourgeoisie).
❖ The Third Estate, comprising 95% of the population, bore heavy taxes.
France's Economic and Political Situation:

❖ Feudal economic system, absolute monarchy (Louis XIV: "I am the state").
❖ Financial crisis due to wars, lavish aristocratic lifestyles, and famines.
Causes of French Revolution:

1. Economic Factors:
➢ Financial crisis, Inflation, excessive taxation on the Third Estate, Rise of the
middle class, absence of a strong ruler after Louis XIV.
2. Intellectual Influences:
➢ Key thinkers: Voltaire (freedom of speech, secularism), Montesquieu
(separation of powers), Rousseau (popular sovereignty).
French Revolution:

❑ Immediate Causes of Revolution:


➢ Bankruptcy, food shortages, and frustration over tax proposals led Louis XVI
to call the Estates-General in 1789.
❑ Key Revolutionary Events:
➢ National Assembly formed (June 1789), Tennis Court Oath taken,
Revolutionaries stormed the Bastille (July 1789).
❑ Consequences:
➢ End of feudalism, church control reduced, estate hierarchy abolished,
Declaration of the Rights of Man.
French Revolution:

❑ War and Political Shifts:


➢ France fought Austria, Prussia, and other monarchies. Radical Jacobins rose
to power.
❑ Reign of Terror:
➢ Jacobins executed thousands to "save the revolution" (1793–1794), including
Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
The Directory (1795–1799):

❑ Established to restore stability after the Reign of Terror.


❑ Managed ongoing wars but failed to secure decisive victories.
❑ Leaders were aristocratic or elite.
❑ Rise of Napoleon:
➢ Napoleon overthrew the Directory in 1799, eventually declaring himself
Emperor, ending the revolution.
❑ Impact:
➢ Inspired global revolutions. Major social changes: abolition of slavery,
universal male suffrage, and the spread of equality, liberty, and fraternity
ideals.
Napoleon Bonaparte:
❖ 1800 - established himself as First Consul, taking control of France.
❖ Military Conquests:
1. Defeated Austria (1805).
2. Defeated Prussia (1806).
3. Defeated Russia (1806).
❖ Final defeat: At the Battle of Waterloo (1815).
❖ Exiled after his defeat.
❖ His conquests spread French revolutionary ideas across the European continent.
❖ Congress of Vienna:
➢ After Napoleon's defeat in 1815, European monarchies were restored and
alliances formed to prevent future revolutions, influencing WWI.
Changes During Napoleon’s Rule:

1. Spread of Modern Ideas


2. Abolition of Serfdom
3. End of the Feudal System
4. Foundation of Modern modern bureaucratic and legal systems.
5. Introduction of Napoleonic Code

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