The French Revolution and Napoleon: Causes, Stages, and Impact

The French Revolution was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France that began in 1789 and ended in the late 1790s with the ascent of Napoleon Bonaparte. This pivotal event in European history was influenced by Enlightenment ideas and had far-reaching consequences.

Why did the French Revolution start? The revolution was triggered by a combination of factors:

1. Unequal taxation system
2. Financial crisis and government debt
3. Food shortages and high bread prices
4. Influence of Enlightenment ideas

The French Revolution timeline can be divided into five main stages:

1. The National Assembly (1789-1791)
2. Legislative Assembly and War (1791-1792)
3. National Convention and Reign of Terror (1792-1795)
4. The Directory (1795-1799)
5. Napoleon's Dictatorship (1799-1815)

Highlight: The revolution began with the formation of the National Assembly by the Third Estate, challenging the existing power structure.

Vocabulary: The "Estates" referred to the three main social classes in pre-revolutionary France: clergy (First Estate), nobility (Second Estate), and commoners (Third Estate).

Who led the French Revolution? Various figures played crucial roles at different stages, including members of the Third Estate, Maximilien Robespierre during the Reign of Terror, and eventually Napoleon Bonaparte.

Example: The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, became a symbolic act of revolution against the monarchy.

Effects of the French Revolution included:

• Abolition of the monarchy and feudal system
• Establishment of a republic
• Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
• Reforms in law, education, and administration

Definition: The "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen" was a fundamental document of the French Revolution that defined the individual and collective rights of all estates of the realm as universal.

The Stages of the French Revolution and Napoleon's Rise

The French Revolution progressed through several distinct stages, each characterized by different forms of government and levels of radicalization.

1. The National Assembly (1789-1791)

   • Established by the Third Estate
   • Abolished privileges and issued the Declaration of Rights of Man
   • Created a new constitution establishing a limited monarchy

2. The Reign of Terror (1793-1794)

   • 10-month period of extreme violence and repression
   • Led by the Committee of Public Safety under Maximilien Robespierre
   • Approximately 40,000 people were executed

Highlight: The Reign of Terror saw the pursuit of a policy of de-Christianization and the introduction of a new revolutionary calendar.

3. The Directory (1795-1799)
   • Ended the Reign of Terror
   • Established a new constitution with five elected directors
   • Relied heavily on the military, setting the stage for Napoleon's rise

Napoleon's Rise to Power

• 1796: Became commander in Italy at age 24
• 1797: Returned to France as a hero
• 1799: Overthrew the Directory in a coup d'état

Example: Napoleon's failed Egyptian campaign in 1798-1799 paradoxically increased his popularity in France, as the public remained unaware of the defeat.

The French Revolution and Napoleon pdf resources often highlight how Napoleon preserved some revolutionary principles while establishing a centralized, authoritarian regime.

Napoleon's rule brought significant changes:

• Centralized administrative system
• Meritocracy in public offices and military
• Codification of laws (Napoleonic Code)
• Peace with the Church

Definition: The Napoleonic Code was a comprehensive reform of the French legal system, incorporating Enlightenment principles and ensuring equality before the law.

Effects of the French Revolution continued under Napoleon, including the spread of revolutionary ideals across Europe through his conquests.