In the French History, the Old regime refers to the

political system held by Absolute rulers before 1789.

It covers the period from the Mid17th c-1789.
Under feudal regime:
The king was an absolute monarchy, with no
constitution.
France was a feudal nation
The society was highly oppressed. This feudal
oppression created revolutionary upheaval in the late
18th century
Major Causes of the French Revolution
1. Political
the French rulers were not interested in the welfare of
the people.
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❖ It created discontent among the people.
The king of France, Louis XVI (r. 1774-92) was weak
and incompetent.
He was an inept monarchy.
His wife Maria Antoinette, a foreigner damaged the
monarchy.
His highly expensive wars and lavish style of living
weakened French economically as well as politically.
2. Social causes
❖ The French society were divided in to 3 social classes
or Estates
1) The First Estate(1%) made up of kings and the
Catholic clergy (Higher and Lower Clergy)
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The Second Estate(2%) -composed of the nobility.
3. The Third Estate (97%)-comprised of the bourgeoisie,
petty bourgeois, peasants and wage workers.
The 1st and 2nd Estates:
✓ Owned the land.
✓ Held special socio-economic and political privileges
✓ Were exempted from paying taxes.
While the third estate denied all the above privileges.
Within the 3rd estate, the peasants were the most
oppressed of all.
➢ Their life was full of misery and social
degradation. This explains why the third Estate
led the Revolution.
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2. Economic Causes.
Unjust system of taxation and feudal dues owing to
inequality.
The government mishandled the national economy
and had no regular budget.
The government wasted money with out proper
planning and the national debt increased.
On 5 May 1789-the French king Louis XVI faced
financial bankruptcy and called for the meeting of
Estate –General (Parliament) which had been ignored
since 1614 and was not assembled for the next 175
years.
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➢ The meeting of Estate –General paved the way
for the French people to express their
grievances.
4. Intellectual Awakening
Influence of the philosophy of the age
(enlightenment).
5. Religious Cause
❖ Religious intolerance persisted in France. For
example the Edict of Nantes had been revoked
by Louis XVI and the Huguenots were
persecuted.
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Immediate causes of the revolution
1. American war of independence
2. Food crisis;-
Came from the poor of Paris who faced food crises
( food was scarce and the price of breads
increased) due to bad harvest caused by bad
weather in 1788.
There was high unemployment.
The course of the Revolution
Louis XVI called for a meeting of Estate General
in May 1789.
Objective; to get help in solving the financial
problem.
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❑ From the session the 3rd Estate representatives
hoped a major political change in the French feudal
regime.
❑ Conflict started b/n the 3rd Estate and 1st and 2nd
Estates; over the conduct of session and voting
(undemocratic representation and voting
procedures).
❑ The 3rd Estate representatives-took two revolutionary
actions:
1. On June 17,1789- they declared themselves as
National Assembly and invited
representatives of other Estates to
join them.
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➢ But the king opposed the action of the 3 rd
Estate.
2. On June 20, 1789- At the “Tennis Court Oath”
the 3rd Estate deputes took an oath to provide
France a constitution.
They agreed not to disband until the
constitution was drawn and ratified.
This revolutionary measures had got support
from the broad masses who were against the
king.
But the king opposed the action and planned
counter-revolution ordering army regiments to
march to Paris and Versailles.
 To be cont..

people of Paris,
n.
revolution.
absolute
he Monarchy)
Y14 – as their

om counter-
To be cont..
The National Assembly changed its name to
Constituent Assembly and made several reforms.
1st . “August Days of 1789”
The old feudal privileges( feudal dues and church tax)
were abolished. This measures satisfied the peasants.
It proclaimed the abolition of all forms of privileges
including tax exemption.
2nd . 26 Aug 1789- “Declaration of the Rights of Man and
Citizens”
It stated that “ Men are born free and remain equal in
right”
It also proclaimed basic personal freedoms such as:
Freedom of speech ,assembly, press and religion.
Equality before the law and freedom from unlawful arrest.
To be cont..
The declaration said that;-
all political authority comes from the people and
the laws and taxation must be approved by the
elected representative assembly of the nation.
The division of France in to estate had thus been
rejected; all Frenchmen were equal citizens of one
nation.
o The famous bourgeoisie slogans: “Liberty, Equality and
Fraternity” were raised.
3rd – To solve the financial crisis, it confiscated church
lands and suppressed monasteries.
The land was sold to the bourgeois, some nobles and
rich peasants.
It guaranteed religious freedom to all religious groups.
The poor peasants and land-less people in the country
side got nothing.
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In 1790-the National Assembly voted to put the
Catholic Church in France under the control of the
State, which led to a quarrel between the
Revolutionaries and the church.
In 1791-the National Assembly also adopted a
constitution.
➢ It established a limited monarchy instead of
Autocracy.
In Sep 1791- in contradiction to the Aug 26
Proclamation the Constituent Assembly divided
the French people in to 2:
1. “Active Citizens”-were only male owners of
property had a right to vote and be elected for they
could paid direct tax on a different scale.
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2. “Passive citizens”- were the poor who couldn’t
fulfill the necessary financial qualification, could
enjoy civil right but not political (had no right to
elect and be elected ).
These laws created new aristocracy, aristocracy
based on wealth.
 Opposition to the revolution; came from
1. The king, Louis XVI-he conspired together with foreign
monarchs against the revolution.
On 21June1791- Louis XVI and his wife fled from Paris
in disguise. But they were captured at Varenis and
brought back to Paris as prisoners.
This episode was remembered as the Varenis crises.
To be cont..
❑ The National Assembly kept the king as symbol until
he signed the constitution in sep1791.
2. Foreign Monarchs- they disliked the revolution in
France as a dangerous example to their own people.
3. The French Nobles- they lost their privilege.
On April 20, 1792-European feudal monarchs like
Austria and Prussia declared war on France.
Aim-to suppress the revolution and restore absolute
monarchy.
The war began with French defeat. Therefore, the
people demanded;
❖ The overthrow of the monarchy and
❖ Establishment of National Convention
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On Aug 10, 1792-the legislative Assembly
deposed the Monarchy and called for election.
It dissolved itself for new assembly called the
Convention. Its task was- to write a new Constitution.
Provisional executive council was set up which
consisted of the Girondins.
The distinction between active and passive citizens was
abolished.
New election to the national convention was held.
On Sep20, 1792-the French army won an important
victory against Austria at the battle of Valmy.
The people marched to Paris singing the song called La
Marsellaise that would became the French National
Anthem. They demanded the establishment of the
French republic.
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On Sep 21,1792-France was proclaimed a Republic.
Louis XVI and his wife were executed publicly by the
guillotine in Jan and oct,1793 respectively.
In Feb1793-France again faced a joint outside
opposition (Br, Prussia, Holland, Spain, Sardinia)
and rebellion of Peasants who were agitated by foreign
powers. However, one of the leading army general
Dumouriez defended France from external enemies.
The Struggle between Girondins and Jacobins
Following the fall of the Monarchy 2 rival political
groups emerged in the Convention.
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ns but
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were extreme left wing .
were composed of middle and pity bourgeois,
workers, and urban dwellers.
were more radical and militant
Leaders were: Maximillien Robespierre, Marat,
Danton, Saint Just and others.
They aimed for political democracy, defense of the
revolution and centralization of government.
Others source of disagreements b/n the 2 parties.
1. On the execution of Louis XVI;
Jacobins-wanted the execution
Girondins-wanted him to be reprieved.
To be cont..
On their revolutionary zeal:
The Girondins- appeared too moderate in the crises.
Example:-
1. When Fr was invaded by European powers and
2. Royalists and peasants in the region of La Vande
rebelled against the revolution.
Their moderation was sensed as counter-
revolution and treason.
From May31- June2, 1793- After a big rising ;-
29 Girondists were arrested.
the Jacobins became dominant in the National
Convenion.
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The people of Paris turned to the support of Jacobins
whom they believed the radical and determined party
who could save the country.

The Jacobins defeated the Girondists and formed the

Jacobin Revolutionary dictatorship in June 1793.

The Jacobins:

adopted a new constitution on June 24, 1793.

They led France through a 12 Men “Committee of Public

Safety”
 To be cont..
Reforms of the Jacobins

They introduced a new, very democratic constitution.

Food rationing was introduced.

Control of prices and wages called “Law of Maximum”

was also enforced.

Instituted the Reign of Terror against counter

revolutionaries.

❑ The Reign of Terror-reached its highest stage when

Maximillien Robespierre took over the Jacobin leadership.

❑ Guillotine became a famous machine in executing people.

To be cont..
The Committee of public safety-raised mass
armies by conscription to face external invasions.
June-July 1794- was the height of French Revolution
and its bloodiest stage.
Fall of Jacobins
They Lost popular support in Paris-due to their
suppression of popular democracy.
Harsh suppression of their opponents which
multiplied their enemies.
Internal division (power friction).
On July 27, 1794- the Coup of 9 Thermidor- the
majority of the Convention voted the arrest of
Robespierre with the aim of avoiding his dictatorship.
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This event ended Jacobins Dictatorship.
On 10 Thermidor: Robespierre, Saint Just and their
closest followers were guillotined with out trial.
Then the big bourgeois took power.
This rule (1794-99) is referred to as the rule of the
“Directory”, a committee of Five men.
The Rule of the Directory:
The convention voted a new constitution (but it
restricted political rights even more than the 1791
constitution).
Failed to give a stable and conservative bourgeois
republic for France.
The regime was corrupt, weak and unpopular.
To be cont..
Finally, in Nov 1799 an ambitious, popular and
successful general overthrew the Directory in a
military coup and took power. This general was
Napoleon Bonaparte.
Significance of the French Revolution
1. It introduced democratic ideals to France.
It proclaimed individual’s democratic rights in its
slogan Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.
2. It ended supreme rule by French kings and
strengthened the middle class.
It abolished serfdom, slavery, inherited privileges
and judicial torture.
Legal equality became the norm in France.
 To be cont..
3. It created the long-lasting foundation for a unified

state, strong central government and a free society

dominated by the middle class and landowners.

4. It intensified the spirit of nationalism.

5. It set a precedence for future generation to struggle

against all forms of domination and internal tyranny.

6. It had a far reaching effect(the democratic ideas) on

the rest of Europe.

The Napoleonic Era (1799-1815) and Its Consequences

His rise to power ended the French Revolution.

The period of Napoleon in France and Europe is called
the Napoleonic Era(1799-1814)
Napoleonic Empire in France
Napoleon Bonaparte
Was born on Aug 15, 1769 on the Mediterranean island
of Corsica.
He became a second lieutenant in the French army at
the age of 16.
At the age 26, he became an officer in the French army.
He was a supporter and a friend of the French
revolution.
He used to call himself “the son of the revolution”.
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He had won favor with the revolutionary government by:
A victory against English (at Toulon) and Spanish
Successfully defending the National Convention from attack
by a bomb.
❑In 1796- Napoleon was given command of an army fighting
against Austrians in Northern Italy.
➢ He smashed Austrian forces
➢ Conquered the little Republics and kingdoms of
Northern Italy.
➢ He created peace with Austrians and ceded Venice

and France got Austrian Netherlands(Belgium )

➢ They also agreed to divide Northern Italy in to Little
republics under France s protection
To be cont..
Prussia and Holland also made peace with France.
Britain remained France’s only powerful enemy.
Disadvantage of France to conquer Britain
➢ Lack of sea power.
From1798-99- Napoleon invaded Egypt and Syria.
Aim of his conquest-to contain British trade in the east.
Outcome- the British fleet under Admiral Nelson
destroyed Napoleons fleet and forced him to
return to France.
On his return to France, he was hailed as a hero.
In 1799- He took the government power by coup.
From1799-1802- he ruled as “First Consul.”
In 1802- He became “consul for Life” by a popular vote.
To be cont..
Between 1799-1804 ( The Consulate Period);-Napoleon
became famous both in military and government affairs.
The war of Conquests
Napoleon was ambitious for glory.
By 1799- at the age of 30, he became master of France.
Aim of his conquests;-
to spread the democratic ideas of the French
revolution and for the glory of France.
He conquered the nations of Europe, built a European
Empire and ruled it until 1814.
 To be cont..
In Early 19thc- European coalition forces of Russia,
Austria, Great Britain and certain Smaller
States attacked Napoleon.
Aim;- to drove out the French forces from Italy, Germany
and Netherlands.
Outcome- Napoleon defeated European coalition forces
Gained all Germany west of Rhine river.
Extended French influence over all Italy
Strengthened Frances control over Holland and
Switzerland.
Forced Great Britain to make peace in 1802.
On 2 Dec1804- Napoleon made himself “Emperor” of
France.
To be cont..
The second opposition against Napoleon
Came after he became emperor,
the principal opposition members were Great Britain,
Russia, Austria and Sweden.
Outcome
Napoleon showed his greatness and won the war
Most of the continent of Europe came under his control
directly or indirectly.
By 1810-Napoleon was at the height of his power.
The French Empire itself had been extended to
include:
Belgium, Western Germany, NW Italy and Part of
What are now Yugoslavia.
To be cont..
States which were under the control of French Emperor:
A large part of Europe-Spain, most of Poland, the rest of
Italy, Switzerland, Confederation of the Rhine.

States which were forced to became allies of France;-

Austria, Prussia, Denmark and Norway.

Russian Czar had been obliged to promise aid to Napoleon

Administration

Napoleon had given thrones to his relatives and favourite

generals.
To be cont..
The Collapse Napoleonic Empire
❑ The major reason for the collapse of Napoleonic
empire was nationalism.
❑ Strong European forces challenged the Napoleonic
Empire.
❑ The first of this resistance came from Britain.
❑ Britain navy under Admiral Horatio Nelson defeated
the allied French and Spanish naval forces at the sea
battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Factors for the success of Britain;-
Geo-strategic position (island )
Its command of the sea(dominance in naval
battle)
To be cont..
Significance of the battle of Trafalgar
It saved England from French invasion
It also gave conquered people new hope(nationalism)
Between 1806-10-Napoleon imposed a blockade on
British trade with mainland Europe by forming a
Continental System. But, it was backfired.
Causes of European Resistance(problems of
Napoleon)
1. He plundered captured cities( works of art)
2. The French collected heavy taxes.
3. The conquered people resented sending soldiers
to serve in Napoleon’s armies.
 To be cont..
❑From 1808-12- nationalists in Spain revolted.
❑Between 1808-13-Prussia and other German
states started to strengthen themselves.
❑In 1809-Austria declared war on France.
NB. Above all Napoleon met strong resistance in
Russia.
❑ The 1812-Napoleon campaign to conquer Russia
became the beginning of the end of Napoleonic
Empire.
❑ He began to conquer Russia with a big army of
600,000 soldiers but failed to achieve success.
❑ Russia mobilized a force of 400,000troops.
To be cont..
Reasons for the failure of Napoleon conquest
in Russia.
1. The spirit of Russian people
Russians used the strategy of withdrawal and
Scorched earth rather than fighting a major
battle.
2. Russia winter was unbearable to the forces of
Napoleon( hunger, cold, disease) affected his
forces.
On 14 Sep1812 Napoleon occupied Moscow.
But, he got it burned down and left it five
weeks later.
 To be cont..
❑European coalition forces of Britain, Russia, Sweden,
Prussia and Austria defeated the retreating, tired and
demoralized forces of Napoleon at the battle of
Leipzig in North Germany in Oct 1813.
It can be called the battle of Nations.
❑European coalition forces occupied Paris.

❑On March 31,1814 Napoleon was completely defeated,

captured and exiled to the island of Elba, a small
island in the Mediterranean sea.
To be cont..
❑King Louis XVIII was put in the throne of France.

❑Later, Napoleon escaped from Elba, returned to

France and ruled for 100 more days(March –June
1815)

❑ On June 18, 1815, at the battle of Water loo, in

Belgium the British commander Belgium Arthur
Wellesley( the Duke of Wellington) and Prussian
general Brucher defeated Napoleon I.

❑ It marked the end of Napoleon.

To be cont..
❑ Finally,he was exiled to the Mediterranean island of
St. Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean where he
stayed until his death 1821.
❑ The forces of reaction and conservatism and the
rise of nationalism of European states and
peoples had won the war against Napoleon.
Effects of Napoleons rule Over France
His two main goals when he was in power were:
1.To replace the confusion of the revolution with
law and order.
2. To keep the fruits of the French revolution like
civil equality.
 To be cont..
The main Effects of Napoleons rule over France were:
He set up a centralized efficient government.
Taxes were collected efficiently from provinces.
He carried out several public works. Such as:
military roads, bridges, canals, monuments,
waterways and sea ports for commercial and naval
purposes.
Napoleonic code of Laws in 1804 that guaranteed
civil equality to all persons regardless of birth, wealth
and rank.
He settled the difference between his state and
church.
In 1801- he agreed with the Roman Catholic Pope.
To be cont..
The pope agreed the confiscation of church
properties and
Napoleon agreed to pay salaries of the clergy of
France.
He also introduced many educational reforms.
State Secondary Schools and Universities were
opened.
Religious and personal freedom were allowed.
Employment and promotion in government office
were based on ability. In 1802, a legion of Honour
was introduced to reward great deeds.