The French Revolution challenged the existing political structure in Europe Themes including equality, social justice, and nationalism contributed to the revolutionary movement. During the course of the French Revolution, a number of different political systems were attempted and failed. The rise of Napoleon Bonaparte to power fills the vacuum left by the demise of weak French governments after the French Revolution. The study of the Napoleonic Era and the Congress of Vienna provides the opportunity to examine a number of different themes related to empire building and the response of the conservative states of Europe to the threat of liberal ideas.
Essential Questions
What was the impact of Enlightenment thought on this era? What are the causes of revolution? Why did the revolution in France go through stages and ultimately fail? What factors contributed to Napoleon’s rise and fall? What was the impact of Napoleon’s rule? What were the successes and failures of the Congress of Vienna? What long and short term consequences did the ideas of the Enlightenment have on France and on the globe overall?