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Beginning of the Enlightenment of the 17th Century
From 1715 to 1789, a philosophical movement called the Age of Enlightenment flourished throughout Europe where people began to reason, encouraged to think differently, and challenged what was being told by the traditional priests and monarchs (Kagan et al., 2013, p. 513). -
Political Thought of Government
In 1748, Montesquieu published Spirit of the Laws illustrating how state should be divided into three branches to check and balance the power of one another. Also, Rousseau’s theory of social contract in 1762 stated that government should not go against the will of the people, and it was not recommended for the government to rely on “individualism” because corruption will occur. -
Enlightened Absolutism
In 1765-1780, the absolute rulers embraced many of the reforms during the “Enlightened” movement. Such monarchs included Frederick II of Prussia who conducted government projects to improve roads and bridges and allowed religious toleration. Joseph II made German the official language of Austria, granted peasants personal freedoms, and encouraged a conscription or military draft. Moreover, Catherine the Great of Russia outlawed unusual torture, expanded trade throughout Europe, and extended R -
Adam Smith on Economic and Social Progress
Smith published the Wealth of Nations in 1776 believing that economic liberty should be as natural as the economic system like itself. As a result, he adopted the concept of “mercantilism” encouraging nations to go out and bring back as many resources as possible—then they can rule the world (Kagan et al., 2013, p. 524). Further, he regarded to be the founder of capitalism and laissez-faire—an economic thought that boosted free trade and limited the government’s role. -
Age of Napoleon (1780-1815)
-Became general of the French army and then emperor of France
-Knocked out British and Austria out of the war in Belgium
-Established the Constitution of the Year VIII
-Created public education, centralized bureaucracy, organized Napoleonic Code
-Originated Concordat of 1801 to alleviate concerns of Revolution and make friend with Pope -
The beginning of the French Revolution
As the enlightened absolutism lost ground, the monarch couple of France, King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, were detested by the people due to economic mismanagement and over spending. As a result, the people of France were in starvation and a revolution broke out in 1789. -
The first stage of the French Revolution (1788-1792)
The uproar was dominated by liberals who were influenced by the Enlightenment and wanted to create a National Assembly or French Congress. Struggles such as the Fall of Bastille and the “Great Fear” broke out due to violence and disagreement between authority and the people. -
The Fall of Bastille (July of 1789)
Large crowds of Parisians marched to Bastille to gain weapons for the militia and took over the fortress. -
The “Great Fear” and the night of August 4, 1789
The movement swept the French countryside with peasants destroying legal documents, burning the castles, and refusing to pay feudal dues. -
The second stage of the French Revolution 1792-1794
-France went to war with Austria and Prussia.
-The rise of the San-Culottes and Radicals (the men without breeches wanted to support their families).
-The flight of the royal family.
-Blood continued to shed (the killing of the King and noblemen).
-Creation of Committee of Public Safety -
The third stage of the French Revolution (1794-1799)
-Conservative reaction to radicals
-Made up a Five Man Executive Body or Directory
-Members accused of corruption and incompetence
-Uprisings again occurred
-The rise of Napoleon Bonaparte—great hero of Directory -
Outcome of French Revolution 1799
-Designated by people
-Outlawed the Catholic Church—turned cathedrals to store houses
-Ended absolutism
-Feudal society transformed as ideas Enlightenment took hold
-Impacted Europe—opposing tyrannical act and the spreading of the French Revolution -
Napoleon War with British Battle of Trafalgar 1805
-British naval fleets defeated the French and Spanish fleets off the Spanish coast, Trafalgar. -
Napoleonic Victories in Central Europe 1806-1807
-Occupied Vienna
-Defeated Austrian and Russian forces at Austerlitz.
-Crushed Prussian army at Jena and Auerstadt—master of all Germany (Kagan et al., 2013, p. 591). -
Treaty of Tilsit 1807
-Treaty confirmed France’s gains
-Prussia lost half of its territory
-Napoleon established family to rule Europe -
The invasion of Russia 1812
-Napoleon went to battle in Russia with Alexander I
-Battle of Borodino costed the French 30,000 casualties
-Failed because of Russia’s harsh winter and depleting of food and fuel -
European Coalition and Nationalism 1813
-Austrian and Prussian army came together to defeat Napoleon
-Patriotic pressure and nationalism came together powerful coalition to fight against Napoleon -
Napoleon in exile 1814
-Coalition forces consisting of Austria, Prussian, and Russian defeated Napoleon’s grand army at Leipzig—the Battle of the Nations
-March 1814, Napoleon abdicated and went into exile the island of Elba -
The Congress of Vienna 1814
-Territorial adjustment agreed with four nations (Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria).
-Agreed no single state could dominate Europe—including France.
-Restoration of French monarchy
-Strengthened states around France’s borders preventing another French expansion. -
The Battle of Waterloo and the Final Days of Napoleon 1815
-Quadruple alliance defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium
-Congress of Vienna achieved its goals and represented an important departure in European affairs (Kagan et al., 2013, p. 601).
