French Revolution

The French Revolution that began in 1789 was a time of political and social upheaval which would have long-lasting effects world-wide. During the revolution, the monarchy was overthrown in favor of establishing a republic. Political turmoil resulted in violence between competing factions, mass executions, and war with other European countries.

STORMING OF THE BASTILLE IN 1789

LOUIS XVI

The King of France at the time of the Revolution was Louis XVI. During his reign, the extravagant lifestyle of the aristocracy and their lack of fiscal responsibility led to a rebellion by the middle and lower classes to abolish the notion of "absolute monarchy" in favor of a citizen-governed republic.

MAXIMILIEN ROBESPIERRE

After the deposition of Louis XVI in 1792, various factions from all parts of the political spectrum vied for control. Eventually, the ultra-radical Robespierre came to power.

In 1793, Robespierre instigated the infamous Reign of Terror in which over 16,000 French citizens suspected of treason against the revolution were executed. Robespierre himself was overthrown and guillotined the following year.

NAPOLEON AS FIRST CONSUL

A new executive council called The Directory took control for several years until it collapsed in 1799 when Napoleon Bonaparte created a military dictatorship known as the Consulate in which he established himself as First Consul.

 

Napoleon was seen by many as a champion of the people who would rid the world of divine monarchies, end the oppression of the working classes, and establish a society based on merit and accomplishment instead of old world privilege.

BEETHOVEN IN 1804

Beethoven was initially a great admirer of Napoleon and the French Revolution. As Napoleon was breaking old traditions and revolutionizing society, Beethoven began to abandon the established traditions of music and revolutionized the way in which Art Music was composed, performed, and understood.

NAPOLEON AS EMPEROR

The admiration for Napoleon did not last. When Beethoven learned that Napoleon had crowned himself Emperor, he was so furious that he removed the dedication page of his Third Symphony and scratched Napoleon's name off the paper with such force that the page tore.

THE TORN DEDICATION PAGE OF BEETHOVEN'S THIRD SYMPHONY