Unit 5: Conflict, Crisis, and Reaction in the Late 18th Century

1648: Peace of Westphalia

Napoleon dominated both French and European history from 1799-1815. In a sense, Napoleon brought the Revolution to an end but also spread its ideas to the world. The French Revolution had made possible his rise military and then to the supreme power in France.

Browse slides from the stream 'Napoleon.'

Browse slides from the stream 'French Revolution and Neoclassical Art.'

The revolution began as moderate reform, degenerated into radical bloodletting. The French Revolution became an international movement that overthrow the feudal structures of the Old Regime in France and shook the social foundation of Europe.

France is the cultural center of Europe, a shining city on a hill that all of Europe hopes to mimic. On the inside though, France is crumbling under a weak king, economic troubles, enlightenment ideals, and a lack of food. Learn what happens when longstanding problems combine with public dissent in France right up until the King's demise.

Browse slides from the stream 'French Revolution - Beginning Years,' where we cover topics including France, Euro, and 1700s.

Explore how a longstanding rivalry between England and France leads to one of the most shocking revolutions of all time. Then, see how the results of the American Revolution will go on to affect Europe and the rest of the world forever.

Browse slides from the stream 'Seven Years' War & American Revolution,' where we cover topics including Kings, 1700s, and France.

After Napoleon’s final defeat at Waterloo and ensuing exile, ambassadors from the Quadruple Alliance met to arrange a peace settlement. The meeting, called the Congress of Vienna, was largely dominated by the Austrian foreign minister Klemens von Metternich. Metternich had three main goals: first, he wanted to prevent future French aggression by surrounding France with strong countries. This led to the creation of the German Confederation, which replaced Napoleon’s Confederation of the Rhine. Second, he wanted to restore the balance of power within Europe. Third, he wanted to restore royal dynasties to countries like France, where the government had become a republic. The Congress of Vienna had far-reaching effects that affected Europe long past the meeting itself; while the Congress of Vienna was a victory for conservatism, it ultimately failed to prevent the forces of nationalism and liberalism from taking hold in the latter half of the 19th century.

Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power during and after the French Revolution by exercising his military prowess and taking over the French government after participating the 1799 coup d'état. In 1804, Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the newly established French Empire. Napoleon strengthened France through his domestic policies and and exerted French influence across the European continent through his foreign policy. While the first half of his rule was immensely successful, the second half was littered with embarrassing military defeats such as the Battle of Trafalgar and the failed invasion of Russia. Coupled with the failed Continental System, Napoleon ultimately lost to the Quadruple Alliance and was exiled to spend the rest of his days on the island of St. Helena. However, Napoleon’s influence during the peak of his rule would continue on long past his defeat; this can be seen in how the Napoleonic Code is still used in some countries to this day.

The French Revolution was a watershed event in modern European history that began in 1789 and ended in the late 1790s with the ascent of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The French Revolution was a watershed event in modern European history that began in 1789 and ended in the late 1790s with the ascent of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Europe before the French Revolution and Industrial Revolution.

European commerce expanded and caused conflict as countries competed in a growing trade network! Through colonies in the Americas, European countries profited off cash crops, gold, and silver. Economic rivalry eventually led to global warfare.

Once contact with the Americas was open, the Spanish, French, English, and Dutch increasingly invested in the global trade race. By the 18th-century, expansion of European commerce resulted in the accelerated growth of a worldwide economic network. 

England was a majority Protestant country but had a Catholic minority. In 1685, the Catholic King James II ascended to the throne and began enacting anti-Protestant policies.

France was a nation of art, culture, and prosperity - until they encountered a fiscal/financial crisis due to their debts. The combination of Enlightenment thinking, disparities in the social structure, and an extreme shortage of bread all caused the break out of a flaming French Revolution.

Revolutionary ideas spread - disseminating from France to the rest of Europe. Thus, the French Revolution had a widespread impact both in Europe and beyond. 

From the chaos of the French Revolution, a new leader rose in France to take Europe and the world by storm. On a side note, he wasn’t really that short. You guessed it. Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Congress of Vienna met in 1814-1815 to re-establish European order and essentially “undo” the French Revolution. Through conservative and diplomatic statecraft, their goal was to restore order and create a framework for peace and stability in Europe.

Ah, romance.

The French Revolution and Napoleon’s reign challenged the different types of political sovereignty in 18th-Century States. As Napoleon took control of much of the European continent, the rest of Europe was provoked to take a nationalistic response. Although political sovereignty and government changed in France more than once during the 18th-century, eventually the Congress of Vienna restored the Bourbons to the French throne.