The Enlightenment's Influence and the Causes of the French Revolution

The French Revolution was deeply influenced by Enlightenment ideas, which challenged traditional authority and promoted concepts of individual rights and equality. This intellectual movement played a crucial role in shaping the revolutionary mindset.

How did the Enlightenment influence the French Revolution? The Enlightenment:

• Promoted opposition to absolute rulers
• Encouraged resentment towards the corrupt French Catholic Church
• Fostered a desire for rights, freedom, and equality

Quote: "All men are free & equal before the law" - This principle, derived from Enlightenment thinking, became a cornerstone of revolutionary ideology.

5 causes of the French Revolution included:

1. Unequal taxation system
2. Government debts and overspending
3. Famine and starvation
4. Influence of the Enlightenment
5. Social inequality represented by the Estates system

Highlight: The Third Estate, comprising 75-85% of the population, bore the brunt of taxation while the clergy and nobility were largely exempt.

The French Revolution timeline began with the formation of the National Assembly in 1789, which voted to abolish all privileges and issued the Declaration of the Rights of Man.

Example: The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, marked a turning point in the revolution, as citizens sought food and supplies but ended up killing the guards when they found nothing.

When did the French Revolution start and end? The revolution began in 1789 with the formation of the National Assembly and is generally considered to have ended in 1799 with Napoleon's coup d'état, though some extend it to include Napoleon's rule until 1815.

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.