French Revolution and Napoleonic Era Essay

Submitted By Jdubz8
Words: 8219
Pages: 33
Open Document
AP European
History
Primary Sources
Unit VI: The French
Revolution and the
Napoleonic Era

Origins of the French Revolution
Historians of the French Revolution have sought to explain its origins by examining the social, political, and cultural landscape of the eighteenth century. Among the factors leading up to the outbreak of
Revolution in 1789, scholars have emphasized divisions in the social order, the spread of Enlightenment ideas that emphasized liberty and equality, and the economic crises that occurred late in the century. The traditional three orders of society (clergy, nobility, and peasants) seemed less and less relevant over the course of the century as a new class of shopkeepers and merchants became more influential and divisions among nobles became more apparent. The growth of a print culture in France helped the philosophes to spread their ideas, while other writers reprinted these ideas in simplified form for distribution among the masses (who were, however, still largely illiterate). Finally, after several wars had impoverished the royal government, the French economy was hard hit by two bad harvests in 1788-1789.
Historical debates over the origins of the Revolution, therefore, must balance all these factors before reaching any conclusions about what could cause such a tumultuous series of events as those that occurred in France at the end of the eighteenth century.

In 1789, following the meeting of the Third Estate and the announcement that a new constitution for the nation had to be written, shopkeepers and urban laborers joined in the excitement. They attacked an ancient prison-fortress, a symbol of the harshness of the Old Regime. They liberated the eight prisoners inside, seized guns, and murdered the prison's warden. Soon after the capture of the Bastille, the revolutionary government dismantled it and installed a monument to the new republic. Today, the new
Paris Opera House rests on the old site of the Bastille.

*The Symbolic Start of the Revolution
From Claude Cholat. "The
Storming of the
Bastille." Print. Ca. 1789. Musée
Carnavalet, Paris. Photo: AKG
London.
In this depiction of the capture of the Bastille, all the events of the day are compressed into one image. Possibly drawn from the point of view of a shopkeeper and participant in the event, Claude
Cholat, this painting gives an excellent idea of the excitement of the people involved.

Unit VI The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era

2

This Declaration helped the revolutionaries to define their ideals and objectives during the first months of the Revolution. It became the preamble for the Constitutions of 1793 and 1795. Moreover, the Declaration
(and more particularly the language of the Declaration) asserted claims to French nationality based on a particular set of rights that would have lasting effects on debates over women's participation, the rights of foreigners, and the place in French society of such groups as black slaves, Jews, and Protestants.

The French Revolutionaries Declare Their Rights
From Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. As reproduced in Translations and Reprints from the
Original Sources of European History, trans. James Harvey Robinson, ed. James Harvey
Robinson, vol. I (Philadelphia: Department of History, University of Pennsylvania, 1897), 6-8.
The representatives of the French people, organized as a National Assembly, believing that the ignorance, neglect, or contempt of the rights of man are the sole cause of public calamities and of the corruption of governments, have determined to set forth in a solemn declaration the natural, unalienable, and sacred rights of man, in order that this declaration, being constantly before all the members of the
Social body, shall remind them continually of their rights and duties; in order that the acts of the legislative power, as well as those of the executive power, may be compared at any moment with the objects and purposes of all political institutions and may
Show More

Related Documents: French Revolution and Napoleonic Era Essay

French Revolution and Napoleonic Era Worksheet Essay

University of Phoenix Material French Revolution and Napoleonic Era Worksheet 1. Essay Explain, in 1,050 to 1,400 words, how the following ideas and ideals influenced the events and motivated the participants in the French Revolution: Liberty Equality Brotherhood Hubris Fiscal irresponsibility Democracy Technology The French Revolution was a quest for liberty, and centered on people who wanted their freedom. They wanted to be treated as equal participants in the community,…

Words 1799 - Pages 8

Revolutionary War Research Paper

series of conflicts dominated Europe. These conflicts had its influence on the Europe at that time but the wars of Napoleon had the most lasting impact on western warfare. The explosion of French revolution in 1789 is regarded today as an important event in modern history. Different aspects of the French revolution influenced the world affairs today. Therefore, war is an action…

Words 1667 - Pages 7

Europe and David kelly Napoleon Essays

ideals of the Revolution through Europe by conquest, with mixed effects. Coup d' état-A sudden seizure of political power in a nation. Plebiscite-A direct vote in which a country's people have the opportunity to approve or reject a proposal. Lycée-Government-run public school, initially set up by Napoleon. Concordat-Agreement between Pope and Napoleon: Napoleon recognized Catholicism as the religion of the majority of France, Pope does not ask for any land back seized during the Revolution. Napoleonic…

Words 455 - Pages 2

Why Is Napoleonic Code Important

In 1799 Napoleon Bonaparte came to power in France. This was the start of an era in France and in Europe called the Napoleonic Era. Napoleon was a brilliant war strategist winning many battles during and before the Napoleonic Era. One thing that may be overlooked during the great age of Napoleon is the Napoleonic code. Also known as the French Civil Law, it is a series of laws that Napoleon forced the codes into effect on the 21st of March, 1804. The code was divided into 4 different sections. The…

Words 1494 - Pages 6

Was the French Revolution Successful? Essay

Many historians credit the French Revolution as being the beginning of modern politics. The revolution single-handedly crushed the monarchical way of politics, the aristocratic domination up to that point in France, and the dominance of the church in French politics. The revolution abolished the feudal system and was one of the biggest steps towards modernity throughout history. The French Revolution was a successful endeavour on the part of the French people because it reformed social tradition…

Words 890 - Pages 4

Essay about Nationalism: French Revolution and Powerful Royal Tradition

Nationalism emerged in the French Revolution and was spread to the rest of Europe by Napoleon’s conquests.The Congress of Vienna was convened (gathered) in 1815 by the four European powers which had defeated Napoleon. The first goal was to establish a new balance of power in Europe which would prevent imperialism within Europe, such as the Napoleonic empire, and maintain the peace between the great powers. The second goal was to prevent political revolutions, such as the French Revolution, and maintain the…

Words 564 - Pages 3

Worksheet Jason 1 Essay

University of Phoenix Material French Revolution and Napoleonic Era Worksheet 1. Essay Explain, in 1,050 to 1,400 words, how the following ideas and ideals influenced the events and motivated the participants in the French Revolution: Liberty Equality Brotherhood Hubris Fiscal irresponsibility Democracy Technology 2. Napoleonic Timeline For each date and location, identify the significant event that occurred and write a single-sentence description of the event. August 15, 1769 [Enter description]Napoleon…

Words 886 - Pages 4

Essay on Timeline: French Revolution and Married Louis Xvi

Marat is killed – 1793 Robespierre is killed – 1794 French win the Battle of Fleurus - 1794 The Conservation Phase Jacobin Club suppressed by the Convention – November 12, 1794 The Directory is established – January 1, 1795 Bread Riots – 1795 Revolt of Prairial – 1795 Freedom of religion - 1795 Convention favors a dictatorship – 1795 Napoleon is named the First Consul of the Consulate – November 9, 1799 The Napoleonic Era Concordat – 1801 French Education Reform – 1801 Legion of Honor – 1802 Napoleon…

Words 538 - Pages 3

French Revolution Dbq

The French Revolution had a great impact on the lives of many French people, including people within different social classes. Before the start of the French Revolution, there were three different social classes- the peasants, the bourgeoisie, and the nobles. At the bottom of the hierarchy were the peasants, who made up most of the French population, with nearly twenty million people. The bourgeoisie, made up of almost three million people, were a growing middle class. Some people in this class included…

Words 1224 - Pages 5

Scientific Science Unit 2 Notes

Hell with Spain!” “Sic Semper Tyrannis!” “Propaganda of the Deed” UNIT 2 TOPICS • • • • • • • • The Scientific Revolution The Enlightenment The American Revolution The French Revolution Begins Radical Revolution The Age of Napoleon Latin American Independence Movements Nationalism in Europe: Italy and Germany UNIT 2: THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION • In the 1500s, Vesalius used observation and experimentation to understand the human body. • The Polish astronomer Copernicus…

Words 1722 - Pages 7