The French Revolution: The Radical Republic & Napoleon (1792-1815)
Core Concepts
Chart the radicalization of the French Revolution, including the Reign of Terror under the Jacobins and Robespierre, the subsequent rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, and his impact on France and Europe.
The French Revolution: The Radical Republic & Napoleon (1792-1815)
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Who were the Jacobins, and what was their goal?
The Jacobins were a radical political faction during the French Revolution. They sought to end the monarchy, establish a republic, and used extreme measures, including the Reign of Terror, to defend the revolution from its perceived enemies.
What was the Committee of Public Safety, and who was its most influential leader?
It was a powerful committee that effectively governed France during the most radical phase of the revolution. Its most dominant leader was Maximilien Robespierre.
Describe the Reign of Terror (1793-1794).
A period of extreme violence where the Committee of Public Safety executed tens of thousands of suspected "enemies of the revolution" via the guillotine. King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were among those executed.
How did the radical phase of the revolution, known as the Reign of Terror, come to an end?
It ended with the Thermidorian Reaction in July 1794, when Robespierre himself was arrested and executed by members of the National Convention who feared his growing power.
How did Napoleon Bonaparte rise to power?
As a brilliant and popular general, Napoleon seized power in a coup d'état in 1799, overthrowing the weak and ineffective Directory government that had followed the Reign of Terror. He first became First Consul and later crowned himself Emperor in 1804.
What was the Napoleonic Code?
A comprehensive civil law code established by Napoleon in 1804. It promoted legal equality for all male citizens, religious toleration, and property rights. However, it also limited women's rights and freedom of the press.
What was the goal of Napoleon's "Continental System"?
It was an economic blockade designed to cripple Great Britain's economy. Napoleon forbade his allies and conquered territories from trading with the British. The policy ultimately failed and caused widespread resentment.
What 1812 military campaign marked the beginning of Napoleon's downfall?
The disastrous invasion of Russia. The massive French army was decimated by the harsh Russian winter, a scorched-earth strategy, and constant guerrilla attacks, shattering Napoleon's reputation of invincibility.
At what battle was Napoleon finally defeated for the last time in 1815?
The Battle of Waterloo. After escaping from his first exile, Napoleon's final bid for power was crushed by a British- and Prussian-led coalition, leading to his permanent exile on the island of St. Helena.
What was the main purpose of the Congress of Vienna in 1815?
Led by conservative statesmen like Austria's Metternich, its primary goal was to restore the old order (ancien régime) in Europe after Napoleon's defeat. It aimed to create a balance of power and re-establish monarchies.
