Chapter 18- World History Essay – Flashcards

The scepter and orb falling from Napoleon's hands indicate that Napoleon is losing his power over the world and the Church. The buildings on the right and left represent two nations that Napoleon was unable to defeat: Britain and Russia. They also represent two of the allies who combined to defeat Napoleon at the Battle of Nations. Possible titles could be Napoleon splitting because of the way he split from power.

Both the Jacobins and sans-culottes were French radicals. Both supported a republican form of government. The sans-culottes, however, were working-class men and women who were not in the Legislative Assembly. The Jacobins were a revolutionary political club of mostly middle-class lawyers and intellectuals. They had members in the Assembly.

Yes, their actions did contribute to their downfall. When faced with critical national problems, Louis XVI gave in to the nobles and called an Estates-General. This led to the formation of the National Assembly, diminishing the power of the monarchy. Marie Antoinette led an extravagant lifestyle while ordinary citizens were starving. This fueled public unrest. The royal family tried to escape their virtual imprisonment at their palace in Paris. Many believed that Louis's failed attempt to escape the country showed him to be a traitor to the revolution.

Nationalism is a strong feeling of pride in and devotion to one's country. Nationalist fervor that spread through France urged many young men to join Napoleon's army. As a result, Napoleon had a large supply of motivated troops to wage his war of conquest. However, the people of conquered nations felt nationalism, too. To them, Napoleon represented a foreign oppressor, not a liberator. Nationalism sparked revolts against French rule in many countries. The resistance occupied French troops that Napoleon needed elsewhere. French attempts to crush the revolts merely fueled further nationalism and resistance.

Robespierre was arguing against putting Louis XVI on trial. He argued that if he goes to trial, Louis could be cleared of wrongdoing. If this happens, then the conclusion must be that the revolutionaries are criminals, and the long debate between tyranny and the ideals of the revolution will be decided in favor of tyranny. In the beginning, Robespierre did not get his way. Louis XVI was put on trial. But Louis XVI was convicted and executed, so Robespierre got what he wanted in the end—the monarchy was abolished.

Napoleon was a tyrant whose primary goal was world domination. He was not true to the principles of the revolution which was about freedom, equality, and individual rights. He conquered and intimidated other nations, forcing French culture on them. His laws took away rights that women had gained earlier in the revolution. Napoleon valued order and authority over individual rights. He cared more about power than about the people.

Many nobles hated the absolute control of the monarchy. They resented the fact that the royal bureaucracy gave government jobs to middle-class men that were once reserved for them. They also feared losing their traditional privileges, especially their freedom from paying taxes. As it became clear that something had to be done about the nation's mounting economic troubles, the nobles wanted the king to call the Estates-General. This would give the nobles a say in any changes to be made. The nobles hoped that they could use the Estates-General to bring the absolute monarch under their control. This would enable the nobles to safeguard their own privileges.