The Impact of Enlightenment and the American Revolution on the French Revolution
Impact of Enlightenment and the American Revolution
The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America and its Constitution of 1787 defended the inalienable rights of citizens, the separation of powers, principles of equality and freedom, and the right to elect a government.
Enlightenment principles and the American Revolution gave the bourgeoisie new ideas to help them confront absolutism and the stratified state system of society. New forms of social organization and government were proposed.
Social and Economic Crisis
In the late 18th century, the Third Estate aspired to profound social reforms. Peasants fought against the heavy taxes and rents imposed by feudal lords. The bourgeoisie wanted to end the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and nobility. They demanded freedom of trade and political representation.
Two main crises emerged:
- Economic crisis: Bad crops
- Financial crisis: Bankruptcy of the crown, which sought to force the First and Second Estates (clergy and nobility) to contribute by paying taxes
A Revolution Breaks Out
The Estates-General met in Versailles in May 1789. The Third Estate representatives decided to leave the meeting when the privileged classes refused to give them greater representation and insisted on one vote per estate rather than one per representative.
Phases of the Revolution
- Constitutional Monarchy (1789-1792): Driven by the bourgeoisie, who aspired to abolish the Ancien Regime, elect a parliament by selective suffrage, and establish a constitution.
- Social Republic (1792-1794): The radical bourgeoisie proclaimed the republic and began a transformation into a democratic and equal society.
- Conservative Republic (1794-1799): The moderate bourgeoisie took power and implemented a new, moderate liberalism.
Development of the French Revolution
The moderate bourgeoisie convinced the king to make France a constitutional and parliamentary monarchy. To achieve this, the National Constituent Assembly:
- Abolished feudalism and approved the Declaration of Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
- Drew up a constitution based on the separation of powers.
Census suffrage was also introduced, giving the vote to people with a certain level of wealth.
The Legislative Assembly was formed and created new laws to implement liberalism, forced the nobility to pay taxes, and abolished the guilds. The National Guard was created to defend the revolution.
Church property was confiscated and sold. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy separated the estate from the church. The Austrian army invaded France, and King Louis XVI fled Paris (Flight to Varennes, June 1791). He was arrested, and the Austrian army entered Paris in September 1792.
Social Republic
The Social Republic had two periods: the Girondin Convention and the Jacobin Convention.
Girondin Convention
Girondins: Moderate bourgeoisie.
National Convention: New assembly elected by universal male suffrage.
1793: Execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
Absolutist coalitions in Europe against France. Counterrevolutionary plots and revolts in the country.
Jacobin Convention
June 1793: The Jacobins seize power. They are a radical bourgeoisie faction.
New constitution: Popular sovereignty and universal male suffrage.
New Government: Committee of Public Safety. Robespierre was its leader.
Mass levy: Citizens forced to join the army.
Reign of Terror (Law of Suspects): Aimed at stopping conspirators. Executions and imprisonment of all opposition to the government.
(Law of the Maximum) Social legislation to satisfy the demands of the sans-culottes (common people)
- Control over prices and salaries
- The assets of counter-revolutionaries to be expropriated and distributed among the poor
- Church lands sold
- Compulsory education
Napoleon Rules Europe
The Consulate (1799-1804)
In 1799, Napoleon was named consul, and the Consulate rule began. This was a period of authoritarian rule.
Napoleon’s goals:
- To put an end to instability and chaos
- Economic recovery
- Consolidate moderate principles through a bourgeoisie government
The Constitution of 1800 did not include the separation of powers or a declaration of rights. Liberties were limited, and censorship was imposed.
The state was organized into departments. Lyceès, state schools, were created to educate an elite of civil servants.
Napoleon allowed exiles to return on the condition that they would accept his rule and signed an agreement with the church called the Concordat.
A new civil code was created for all citizens.
A commercial code was established to stimulate the economy. The Bank of France was created.
The Napoleonic Empire (1804-1815)
Napoleon began his conquests in 1803 and was crowned emperor by the pope in 1804.
He defeated most European monarchies thanks to his large army and the use of new military tactics.
- 1806: Victory over Austria and Russia at Austerlitz.
- 1808: Invasion of Spain, and Napoleon’s brother Joseph Bonaparte was named king.
- 1811: Napoleonic Empire expands from Germany to Spain. Most of Europe under French control
The Fall of Napoleon
- 1812: The invasion of Russia ends in failure due to extreme weather conditions.
- 1808: Revolt in Spain against Joseph Bonaparte (brother of Napoleon). Decline of the Napoleonic Empire.
- 1815: Defeat of the French Army by Great Britain and Prussia in the Battle of Waterloo. The final blow. Abdication, exile in Saint Helena island. Death in 1821.