## The French Revolution: A Study Guide This guide explores the French Revolution, its causes, key players, and lasting impact. We'll examine the Enlightenment's influence, the social and political climate of pre-revolutionary France, the major events of the revolution, and Napoleon's rise and fall. ### I. The Enlightenment and its Impact The Enlightenment, or Age of Reason, emphasized reason, individual liberty, and progress. Thinkers like John Locke, with his concept of the "blank slate," and Voltaire, a fierce critic of intolerance, profoundly shaped intellectual discourse. Remember that the Enlightenment wasn't a monolithic movement; thinkers held diverse views. * **Key Enlightenment Ideas:** * **Reason:** The belief that logical thought could solve problems and understand the world. * **Natural Law:** Inherent rights and principles discoverable through reason. * **Progress:** The belief that humanity could continuously improve. * **Tolerance:** Acceptance of differing viewpoints and beliefs. * **Deism:** The belief in a creator God who set the universe in motion but doesn't intervene in human affairs. Think of God as a "watchmaker." * **Separation of Powers (Montesquieu):** Dividing governmental power among different branches to prevent tyranny. The US system of checks and balances is a prime example of this concept. * **Social Contract (Rousseau):** A theory that government legitimacy derives from the consent of the governed, reflecting the "general will." * **Laissez-faire Economics (Smith):** Minimal government intervention in the economy. Understanding the Enlightenment's core tenets is crucial to grasping the revolution's intellectual underpinnings. Many students oversimplify the Enlightenment, failing to acknowledge the diversity of thought within the movement. ### II. Pre-Revolutionary France: A Society in Crisis French society was rigidly stratified into three Estates: * **First Estate:** The clergy (highly privileged and largely tax-exempt). * **Second Estate:** The nobility (also highly privileged and largely tax-exempt). * **Third Estate:** Everyone else (bourgeoisie, urban workers, peasants; bore the brunt of taxation and feudal obligations). Only about 2% of the population belonged to the First and Second Estates, yet they controlled most of the wealth and power. Several factors contributed to the revolutionary crisis: * **Financial Crisis:** Years of extravagant spending (Seven Years' War, American Revolution) left the French government deeply in debt. * **Inefficient Tax System:** The burden of taxation fell disproportionately on the Third Estate. * **Social Inequality:** The vast disparity in wealth and privilege between the Estates fueled resentment. * **Enlightenment Ideas:** The spread of Enlightenment ideals challenged the legitimacy of the absolute monarchy and the existing social order. * **Rising Food Prices:** Economic hardship, particularly among the peasantry, exacerbated tensions. The combination of these factors created a volatile situation ripe for revolution. ### III. The Revolution Unfolds The calling of the Estates-General in 1789 marked a turning point. The Third Estate's frustration with the unfair voting system led to the formation of the National Assembly and the Tennis Court Oath. * **Key Events:** * **Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789):** A symbolic act of rebellion against royal authority. * **The Great Fear:** Widespread peasant uprisings in the countryside. * **Abolition of Feudalism:** The National Assembly abolished feudal privileges. * **Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789):** A declaration of fundamental human rights. * **Constitutional Monarchy:** The establishment of a constitutional monarchy with Louis XVI as king. The storming of the Bastille, while not a major military victory, became a powerful symbol of the revolution's start. ### IV. Radicalization and the Reign of Terror The revolution became increasingly radicalized, marked by the rise of factions like the Jacobins and Girondins, and the emergence of the Sans-culottes. * **Key Events:** * **War with Austria:** France's declaration of war against Austria in 1792 further fueled revolutionary fervor. * **Execution of Louis XVI (1793):** The king's execution marked a shift towards a republic. * **Reign of Terror (1793-1794):** A period of intense violence and repression under Robespierre's leadership. Thousands were executed during this period. * **Thermidorian Reaction (1794):** The overthrow of Robespierre and the end of the Reign of Terror. Students often view the Reign of Terror as a singular, monolithic event, neglecting the complex political dynamics that led to it. ### V. The Directory and Napoleon's Rise The Directory, a five-man executive body, replaced the Reign of Terror but proved ineffective and unstable. This paved the way for Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power. * **Napoleon's Rise:** * **Military Genius:** Napoleon's military successes solidified his popularity and power. * **Coup of 18 Brumaire (1799):** Napoleon seized power in a coup d'état, ending the Directory. * **Napoleonic Code:** A comprehensive legal code that codified many of the revolution's achievements. Napoleon's rise highlights the instability of the post-Terror period and the public's desire for strong leadership. ### VI. Napoleon's Reign and Fall Napoleon's reign was marked by significant reforms and extensive military campaigns. * **Napoleonic Reforms:** Included legal reforms, economic reforms, and educational reforms. * **Napoleonic Wars:** Napoleon's ambition led to a series of wars across Europe. * **Downfall:** Napoleon's disastrous invasion of Russia (1812) and subsequent defeats led to his downfall. His final defeat at Waterloo (1815) marked the end of his reign. Napoleon's legacy is complex: he preserved some revolutionary gains while also establishing an authoritarian regime. ### Key Takeaways: * The French Revolution was a complex and multifaceted event with long-lasting consequences. * The Enlightenment played a significant role in shaping the intellectual and political climate that led to the revolution. * The revolution was characterized by periods of radicalism, violence, and instability. * Napoleon's rise and fall marked a significant turning point in the revolution's trajectory. * The revolution's legacy continues to shape political thought and action today.