Impact of the revolution and the rise of Napoleon Flashcards
What were the 3 estates new names?
Workers, professional people and the remaining wealthy landowners became the working class, middle class and the upper class.
What important role did women play in the revolution?
They played a leading role in the revolution. The bread march to Versailles by working class women took the revolution to a new stage.
What was the impact of revolutionary ideas on France?
-France became a republic.
-People had the right to choose their government.
-The middle class had greater opportunities.
-The peasants gained land when church property was nationalized, and they no longer had to pay feudal taxes.
What did the revolution lead to the growth of?
Nationalism.
How did the revolution influence other countries?
The new ideas about liberty and equality spread to other European countries. People there also began to demand change.
Why were other European rulers worried about the revolutionary ideas?
They were worried the ideas would threaten their own positions.
Who was Napoleon?
He was a successful army general who became the leader of france after the revolution.
Why was france fighting with other european countries?
A coalition of european powers was trying to stop the spread of revolutionary ideas.
How did the war help Napoleon?
His success made him very popular in france.
What was the problem with the directory?
The directory was losing support because the french economy was failing and there was rising unemployment and inflation.
There was also huge inequality and the people were tired of war.
How did Napoleon become the head of government?
-A group of politicians planned to replace the directory with a stronger government.
-They invited Napoleon to join them, and they used the army to overthrow the directory and close down the assembly.
-They then drew up a new constitution which made Napoleon the head of government with the title “First Consul”.
How did Napolean’s power increase?
-Napoleon’s power increased until he had the powers of a dictator.
-He then became first consul for life.
-And extended his power even further by declaring himself emperor.
-Voters supported these moves in a referendum.
What were the consequenses of his rule?
-Free speech and freedom of press, Fundamental rights protected in the declaration of rights of man, were continually violated.
-The occasional elections were farce. Later laws prescribed harsh penalties for political offences.
Why were people willing to accept Napoleon’s rule?
Many French people were prepared to accept the loss of democracy in return for order and stability, Napoleon introduced many reforms which brought economic benefits to France, especially to the middle class. It was their support which had put him in power.
What code did Napoleon create to bring about reform?
Napoleon reformed the French legal system in the Civil Code or Code Napoleon.
It did not recognize may rights for women and favored the authority of the state, the employer, the father and the husband.
He also created new departments (provinces) which were a more manageable size than the old ones. These provided an efficient system of government.
