InNo+RyanC2013+09.17.2010

Chapter 5

Traces of Revolution · The French revolution played a significant role in the change in Europe. · Traces of revolution can be seen throughout streets names, measuring units, tricolored flags in Europe, and most important of all ** Liberalism **. Liberalism · “The Declaration of Man and Citizen” gave the people of France equal liberties and rights. · This idea of equal liberties and rights through a constitution was a great achievement during the Revolution. · When Napoleon conquered many countries he spread this idea to many parts of Europe. · When Napoleon was defeated and many rulers took back their throne, the rulers abolished the constitutions. · However millions of Europeans had become “Liberals” and wanted a constitution. Nationalism · Another important idea sparked by the French Revolution was that France was a nation, controlled by 28 million French people and not property of King Louis. · The first act of the revolutionaries (the French) was to set up a National Assembly and then create a flag of blue, white, and red for the nation. · During the revolutionary wars France brought together people, states, and rulers of the same nationality into the one nation. o This was how people came to know what it felt like to live in a nation and live under a constitution. · This came to an end in 1815 when the countries that defeated Napoleon came together to draw a up a new map of Europe. o They recreated many states that Napoleon brought together. o Old royal families were given back their throne in Spanish and Italian states. o A German Confederation of 39 states replaced Napoleons Rhine Confederation. o A single Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed consisting of Holland, Luxemburg, and Belgium. · These borders had nothing to do with people’s nationality, and therefore people were ruled by foreigners. · Fellow countrymen followed the example of France and started a revolution to change the way they were ruled. Revolution · Liberals and Nationalists started revolutions in 1820, 1830, an 1848. o Their aims for their revolution were mainly to be brought into one nation, and to write a constitution for the people. · In 1830 revolution broke out in 6 countries. o In the Netherlands the Belgian people rose in revolt against the Dutch King Williams. § They did not like the way they were governed since the day they were taken over by the Dutch in 1815. o King Williams refused to listen to the complaints of the Belgian. o Dislike of King William arose and the Belgian people took up arms against the Dutch, driving them out of the Belgium, and declaring Belgium an independent Country. · A French magazine summed up the aims of the 1830 revolutions by drawing a cartoon. o This cartoon portrayed a volcano representing Europe with Liberty erupting out of it, flowing down to create new nations, while the Kings and their courtiers fled. · In the Austrian Empire Hungarians rebelled against Austrian authorities in Budapest. Images of Revolution · The most famous images borrowed from the French Revolution was that of “liberty”. · The image of liberty was created 1792 when the revolutionaries who overthrew the king took it as the symbol of the New Republic. · In one painting liberty was portrayed as a young women who had killed a serpent (despotism) with a club. In her other hand she holds a liberty cap, free popular amongst San Culottes and derived from freed Roman Slaves. · The figure of Liberty was named Marianne, who appeared countless times in the French Revolution and reappeared in the revolutions of 1830. · The most famous of these images would be the Statue of Liberty in New York, America. · This statue was a gift from the French and given to the United States to show friendships between the two republics. o It was suggested by a French Historian to commemorate the 100th anniversary of American independence. · Marianne continued making appearances even after the 1830 revolutions. o She appeared in an Italian Socialist newspaper, showing her leading workers against their “capitalist” bosses. o She also appeared in Tian An Men Square, during a student protest for more freedom. (1989)  Legends and Myths of the Revolution · The era of revolutions created many myths and legends. · The most lasting of these were those on Napoleon. · Napoleon dictated his memories and encouraged his friends to write down everything he said. · In these writings he made an account of his life and ideas which made him seem like martyr and a hero. · When it was published after his death, they helped create a reputation for him as a historical figure. · In 1840 the British Government allowed the transfer of Napoleon’s body from St. Helena back to France. · He was greeted by 100,000 people and buried in a tomb made of precious stones. · Napoleon was wide known after his death because of all the statues and paintings of him. o His picture was also used for 20 franc notes issued out by the Bank of France. o Children also heard about him from lullabies sung by their mothers. Summary Question Why was the idea of Liberty portrayed as a women?