Attempts at Liberty. Two Revolutions. British Restrictions 2/20/2015. American Struggle to Preserve Liberty. American Struggle to Preserve Liberty

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1 1620 American Struggle to Preserve Liberty English Separatists called Pilgrims set sail for America Wanted to worship freely w/o government opposition Landed in Massachusetts & founded the Plymouth Colony Mayflower Compact was drafted Established authority for the Plymouth Colony 10 years later: steady migration of Pilgrims Attempts at Liberty 18 th century Few people enjoyed such rights as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; Ecclesiastical and political absolutism was the order of the day. The desire for personal and political liberty prompted a series of revolutions American Struggle to Preserve Liberty They sought to establish and ideal state based on biblical principles They believed the purpose of government was to promote piety and restrain evildoers. Later joined by Irish, Scottish, German, Dutch, and French settlers Diverse groups but common European background and respect for English law American A conservative movement tempered by the Protestant background of the colonists. Attempted to preserve time-honored traditions of religious and political liberty. Two Revolutions French Became more radical Sought to overthrow the power of a corrupt monarchy, aristocracy, and church Did not establish liberty but led to social upheaval and dictatorship Britain British Restrictions Growing worldwide empire French and Indian War Seven Years War nearly bankrupt Colonies expected to pay their own way Colonists object to Britain s interference after 150 years of relative freedom No taxation without representation Tax on tea and Quebec Act cause colonists to take up arms and resist. 1

2 American Independence Many colonists resist reluctantly. Attitudes change after fighting breaks out Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 Framers stressed popular sovereignty Government based on the consent of the governed. New constitution placed checks and balances on new government Concerned about personal and religious liberties Bill of Rights first ten amendments to the constitution Course of the War George Washington leads Colonial forces against British Turning point comes in October 1777 with victory at Saratoga France openly declares support for American cause. Spain & Netherlands also enter war against Britain Treaty of Paris (1783) Most Cherished Liberties The Establishment Clause Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for redress of grievances. Constitutional Republic Articles of Confederation states had more power & federal government was weak Governments throughout history were studied End of Section I Government modeled after Roman Republic Three branches: executive, legislative, & judicial Principle of federalism established: Delegated powers 2

3 French Destruction of the Old Regime 18 th Century Third Estate largest, comprising 98% of the French population France was the cultural center of Europe French philosophes espoused ideas of personal rights & liberties, but few enjoyed such freedom. Extravagant government spending & heavy taxation brought country to brink of economic collapse Most diverse group Subdivided into three groups: 1. Lawyers, doctors, bankers and wealthy businessmen 2. Workers 3. Peasants Peasants bore heaviest tax burden (page 414) French Social Classes As late as 1789, French society was still organized according to the old feudal class divisions of estates First Estate consisted of clergy of the Roman Catholic Church Great wealth Controlled vast land estates Exempt from taxes Advised the king Peasant s Tax Burden 1. Annual fee to noble who owned the land 2. Fee to the former owner when the land changed hands 3. Annual fee for the use of mills, ovens, and wine presses 4. Perform the corvée a system of forced labor 5. Respect the nobles hunting privileges Second Estate The nobility Political Inefficiency Louis XV ( ) Louis XVI ( ) Privileged class Exempt from taxes Held some of the highest positions in government Many nobles not interested in improving their land exploited poor tenants who lived on it Lived extravagantly at Versailles Many did no work but made others do it for them had no inclination to rule in absolute fashion More interested in frivolous pleasures of living at Versailles. Central government was incompetent and inefficient 3

4 Economic Irresponsibility Unbalanced Tax System Privileged classes were exempt from most taxation Peasants bore the greatest tax burden taille: levied for military purposes capitation: tax on each person vingtième: income tax From the beginning of Louis XVI s reign, finance ministers tried to solve France s economic problems. They urged him to tax those who were not paying taxes. Louis was a weak king and did not want to offend anyone. The nobles then accused Louis of mismanagement Nobles: only the Estates-General could change the tax laws. Meeting planned at Versailles in May 1789 The Three Estates Deputies were to be chosen to present grievances - cahiers written constitution equal taxation equal justice destruction of the remnants of feudalism The First and Second Estates also chose deputies but their cahiers contained ideas different from those of the Third Estate. Also called for a constitution that would stop the king from infringing (removing) on their rights and privileges. The Estates General Roman Catholic Clergy Nobles: 2% of the population but owned 40% of the land Convening of the Estates-General April 1789 Deputies expect to be heard by the king at Versailles Kept waiting for three hours Third Estate was required to dress in black, unlike the other estates keep their hats off enter through the side door. They had little rights and paid half their income in taxes. 4

5 When they were finally presented to the king, Louis XVI simply stood in silence as they filed past him. King Lois XVI was noncommittal His instructions were: votes would be done by estate, not by deputy each estate would receive one vote. July 12th gossip and confusion Rioting and angry mobs high prices of bread rumors of Louis XVI's intent to use troops to murder the people People search for weapons for protection Hotel des Invalides and the Bastille People hear of arms stored at Hotel des Invalides and the Bastille. July 14th mob would storm them both and kill the governor of the prison and his prisoners. Considered the beginning of the French Revolution Bastille Day Forming a National Assembly Disagreement over voting continues Delegates from the third estate proclaimed themselves the National Assembly. They asserted the principal of popular sovereignty and denounced the unfair social order of France. On June 20th, Third Estate locked out of meeting Met at nearby tennis court They would swear what would become known as the Tennis Court Oath declaring that they would not disband until a written constitution was established. Louis XVI Would only meet to raise taxes Made some concessions Refused to get rid of the old ways Dismissed the deputies and left. The Bastille On June 27, Louis XVI ordered the First and Second Estates to join the National Assembly, which now called itself the National Constituent Assembly. New constitution drawn up. Troops ordered to Paris and Versailles "for protection." The real reason was to close down the Assembly. Phases of the Revolution Homes of nobility plundered Feudal records destroyed National Constituent Assembly passed legislation to rid France of the Old Regime and making sweeping changes to French Society : N.C.A would pass more than 2000 laws. Rights of Man passed on August 27, 1789 modeled partly after the English Bill of Rights; ideas of Montesquieu, Locke, and Rousseau; and partly from the American Declaration of Independence natural rights and rights of citizens 5

6 Phases of the Revolution Louis XVI refuses to give his consent to the legislation passed by the Assembly. Crowds of women, gathered together and marched to Versailles to protest. Joined by many French soldiers. At Versailles they demand bread The next day the mob would storm the palace and demand the king and his family return to Paris with them. A few days later the Assembly would move to Paris also. Louis XVI finally gave his approval to the decrees passed by the Assembly Phases of the Revolution 1791 King is losing power and fears execution. He and his family attempt to escape to Austria on the night of June 20, 1791 They are recognized by a postmaster and captured in Varennes-en-Argonne. Escorted back to France. New constitution completed in 1792 The people refuse to pay tax collectors Assembly forced to create a new system of collecting taxes Untaxed land of Roman Catholic Church confiscated Paper money called assignats issued, backed by the value of the land. The Assembly would then use the assignats to pay off the French debt. Le Assignat The New Constitution King remained, but he would be limited by a constitution. guaranteed equal taxes, ended special privileges, created a fairer system of justice established a new governing body Legislative Assembly. October 1791 Problems from the start three groups Conservatives (Girondins)- wanted to maintain the monarchy only limit it as the new constitution established. Jacobins- members met in the Jacobin Convent wanted to rid France of the monarch completely Moderates- They would side with Jacobins on some issues and the Conservatives on others. Phases of the Revolution Civil Constitution of the Clergy passed in July Church under state control Clergy elected by the people Required clergy to take an oath of loyalty to the state. Right, Left and Center juring clergy those who took the oath nonjuring clergy - those who did not take the oath Many French Catholics had been antagonized and were now angry. 6

7 Jacobins The most prominent leaders of the Jacobins: George-Jaques Danton Jean-Paul Marat Maximillien de Robespierre Execution of the King People of Paris distrustful of the king Danton leads mob that kills kings guards Demands National Assembly call a convention to write a new constitution Assembly calls for elections to a new body National Convention Danton becomes virtual dictator Supporters of monarchy violently killed by mobs Widespread massacres Imprisoned nobles and non-juring clergy mercilessly slaughtered Monarchy abolished on September 22, 1792 Louis XVI executed on January 21, 1793 George-Jaques Danton Jean-Paul Marat Maximillien de Robespierre War with Austria and Prussia 1792 Legislative assembly, backed by the king, declares war on France King hopes for Austrian victory Assembly wants quick defeat of Austria Jacobins fear French victory would keep them from power Marat and Danton sabotage war effort Prussia joins Austria "I die innocent of all the crimes laid to my charge; I Pardon those who have occasioned my death; and I pray to God that the blood you are going to shed may never be visited on France." Charles William Ferdinand, the Duke of Brunswick issues the Brunswick Manifesto Charles William Ferdinand "Farewell, my children, forever. I go to your Father." 7

8 Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon s Blockade Napoleon s blockade Egypt Napoleon would change the rules of war launch an attack on the Austrians via Italy march at night fight on Sunday and in the rain. allow his poorly equipped army to take anything it could carry from the defeated. Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon landed in the South of France Declared that he had come to save France he and his supporters staged a coup d' etat 1799 New government, called the Consulate formed New constitution written. Three-man Consulate to run the country, with Napoleon as the First Consul. Peace treaties signed with Austria in 1800 and with Britain in France makes peace with Austria and Napoleon returns to Paris a hero. Directors were afraid and ordered him to attack Britain Napoleon attacks Egypt instead to cut off British trade with the Near East (1798) British fleet, under the command of Lord Nelson, destroyed French fleet anchored in Alexandria. British alliance formed with Russian, Austria and the Ottoman Turks Napoleon returns to Paris without his army. Napoleon s Reforms: Public works program Bank of France Public education system Code Napoleon. This code system would establish civil, criminal and commercial laws that are still in place today Restored certain privileges to the Roman Catholic Church. In 1801 he made an agreement with the pope: returned church land, allowed seminaries to operate permitted church services again state would nominate bishops and pay the salaries of the clergy. 8

9 Napoleon s Conquests 1805 Austria, Russia, and Sweden join Great Britain. Napoleon defeats Austrians and Russians at Austerlitz Napoleon dissolves the Holy Roman Empire Established Confederation of the Rhine Prussia declared war against France, but is defeated 1808 Napoleon became the master of Europe's mainland. Continental System. Napoleon's Downfall Napoleon would remain in Moscow for almost a month Began his retreat as winter approached As the Grand Army made its way back across Russia the winter snow arrived. Russians began their attack. Berezina River Napoleon abandoned his army and returned to Paris to maintain control of the government before news of the defeat reached the French population. Fewer than 100,000 of the Grand Army survived the campaign. Napoleon's Downfall Napoleon's armies sweep through Europe Welcomed as liberators from absolute rulers. Often Napoleon would replace national rulers with a member of his family. People who once welcomed Napoleon now sought to overthrow him. The Continental System destroyed local economies Portugal began to trade with Britain Spain revolted against Napoleonic rule. French sent troops to defeat the Spanish were met by guerrillas, 1810: Russians break with the Continental System Napoleon declared war on Russia and built the "Grand Army" 600,000 men. Defeat and Exile 1813 Napoleon's forces defeated at Leipzig, Germany, The Battle of Nations. Napoleon forced to abdicate the leadership of France Allowed to live in exile on the island of Elba Granted title of Emperor of the Isle of Elba Leaders of the Europe met in Vienna to establish order in Europe again. Napoleon escaped from Elba and was making his way to Paris. Napoleon's Downfall Grand Army invaded Russia in Russians retreat drawing the French deeper and deeper into Russia. Scorched earth policy. Napoleon pressed on into Russia Reach Moscow with his army in September Russians continued scorched earth policy and burned Moscow. Defeat and Exile On June 8 th the armies would clash on the plains of Waterloo, in modern day Belgium. The allied forces under the command of the Duke of Wellington would win a decisive victory destroying Napoleon and his armies for good. Napoleon would be banished to St Helena and live the rest of his days under armed guard. He would die on May 5, 1821 and was buried there. In 1840 his body would be moved to Paris and reburied. 9