Social Science Chapter: Basic Concepts of the French Revolution 1789

Key Historical Events and Figures

French Revolution 1789

• Revolution transferred governmental power from monarchy.
• Royal flag replaced by the new French flag.
• National Assembly renamed as Estates-General, elected by citizens.
• A centralized administrative system was established.

Napoleon Bonaparte

• Ruled France from 1799 to 1815.
• Became first consul by assuming absolute power in 1799.
• Napoleonic Code (1804):
  • Right to property for French citizens.
  • Simplification of administrative divisions.
  • Improved transport and communication.

Struggle for Greek Independence

• Growth of nationalism in Europe inspired the Greek revolution.
• Greek culture and literature inspired poets and artists who supported the revolution.
• 1831: Elected representatives marched to Frankfurt Parliament.
• Parliament drafted constitution for German nation (constitutional monarchy).
• Frederick Wilhelm IV rejected the demands; troops forcibly disbanded the assembly.

Unification Movements

Germany

• 1866-1871: Efforts by the middle class to unite different regions of the German Confederation into a nation state.
• Efforts suppressed by monarchy, military, and landowners in Prussia.
• Otto von Bismarck led the unification.
• 1871: Kaiser Wilhelm I declared as new emperor; new German Empire introduced currency, banking, legal, and judicial systems.

Italy

• Mid-19th century: Italy divided into seven states.
• 1830s: Giuseppe Mazzini formed a program to unite Italy, creating Young Italy (a secret society).
• 1848: Failures led to the unification movement by King Victor Emmanuel II.
• Chief Minister Count Cavour led unification efforts; defeated Austrian forces with French alliance in 1859.
• 1861: Victor Emmanuel II became king of United Italy; Rome declared capital.

Visualizing the Nation

• Artists personified nations as female allegories representing ideas like liberty and justice:
  • French Revolution: Female allegory with a red cap, tricolor, and cockade.
  • Germania: Became allegory of Germany, wearing a crown of oak leaves symbolizing heroism.

Formation of Britain

• Before 18th century, Britain was not a nation state.
• Power growth helped England control other nations; monarchy power taken over by the Parliament.
• Act of Union (1707): England and Scotland formed the United Kingdom of Great Britain.
• Post-1798 revolution, England forcibly took over Ireland.
• British nation formed including symbols like flag, anthem, and English as the main language.

Napoleonic Era and Aftermath

• 1814-1815: European powers (Britain, Prussia, Russia, Austria) defeated Napoleon.
• 1815: Treaty of Vienna signed, conservative regimes established.
• 1821: Greek struggle for independence began.
• 1830: Belgium broke away from United Kingdom of Netherlands.
• 1832: Treaty of Constantinople recognized Greece as independent.
• 1848: Reunification of the French monarchy.
• Mid-19th century: Slav nationalism grew in the Habsburg and Ottoman empires.

Summary of Significant Dates

• 1789: French Revolution begins.
• 1799-1815: Rule of Napoleon Bonaparte.
• 1815: Treaty of Vienna.
• 1821: Greek independence struggle starts.
• 1830: Belgian independence from Netherlands.
• 1832: Greek independence recognized.
• 1848: Frankfurt Parliament and French monarchy reunification.
• 1859-1870: Unification of Italy.
• 1866-1871: Unification of Germany.