France

This page focuses on what students most need to know about this topic in preparation for the IB exam.

1. IB Definition of Topic
For first examinations in 2017:

The French Revolution and Napoleon—1774-1815
This section deals with the origins, outbreak, course and results of the French Revolution. It focuses on the social, economic, political and intellectual challenges confronting the ancien régime and the stages of the evolutionary process during this period, culminating in the rise and rule of Napoleon Bonaparte. The unit requires investigation of the impact of the French Revolution, as well as Napoleonʼs domestic and foreign policies, upon France and its European neighbours.
 * Crisis of the Ancien Régime: role of the monarchy, specifically Louis XVI; intellectual, political, social, financial and economic challenges
 * Monarchy to republic: causes and significance of the Revolution; the 1791 Constitution; the fate of the monarchy; the terror; Robespierre; the Thermidorean reaction
 * The political, social and economic impact of the Revolution; French revolutionary wars (1792–1799)
 * Establishment of, nature of, and collapse of the Directory (1795–1799)
 * Rise and rule of Napoleon (1799–1815); impact of Napoleon’s domestic and foreign policies on France
 * Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815); collapse of the Napoleonic Empire; military defeat; the Hundred Days

2. Major Areas of Focus

 * One major focus is on the conditions in France that led to the Revolution.
 * Another focus was on the actions of Louis XVI and their consequences.
 * With regard to Napoleon, the focus is on evaluating his policies.
 * Finally, there is a pole of questions that require the evaluation of the Congress of Vienna.

3. Essay Questions from Past IB Exams, Organized Chronologically by Exam Date
2001-N

QUESTION 2 To what extent were Napoleon’s domestic policies based on the principles of the French Revolution?

There were some excellent answers here that made a clear link between the French Revolution and Napoleon’s domestic policies. The weaker answers simply listed Napoleon's policies and made no distinction between those that were domestic, and those that were foreign. In fact some candidates simply answered as if the question required only knowledge of foreign policies.

QUESTION 3 How far did the Congress System succeed in achieving the aims of its members between 1815 and 1822?

Only the very best candidates possessed the depth and breadth of knowledge to answer this question well. Too many answers were simply a catalogue of the terms of the Congress of Vienna with little or no assessment of whether or not these were a success or a failure. Another difficulty with this question was that many candidates did not include the entire chronology between 1815 and 1822. They either started far too late in 1818 or stopped in 1815. A major weakness was the failure of candidates to recognise that the aims of its members might have changed between the inception of the Congress System and its demise in 1822.

2002-M

QUESTION 2 Why did Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon I) become ruler of France and what were the results of his period in power?

In general, most candidates gave accurate accounts of how Napoleon I became ruler of France, but were weaker on the results of his regime in France and Europe. The answers were a mixed bag; some candidates wrote wonderful essays which showed sophisticated understanding of Napoleon’s rise and rule; others simply provided a biography.

QUESTION 3 Evaluate the successes and failures of the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815) in the period that followed, until 1850.

Candidates tended to list the aims and terms of the settlements, especially the territorial components, rather than answer the question that was set. The subsequent Congresses were only discussed by the most capable candidates, and very few answers took the question all the way up to 1850. On the positive side, the candidates who answered this question tended to

write sound essays and knew of the historical debates that rage over this topic.

2002-N

QUESTION 1 Why was Louis XVI executed in 1793?

This was not a very popular question and, apart from one or two excellent answers, the vast majority of responses focused on either the causes of the French Revolution or why Louis XVI was overthrown. As neither of these topics were what the question actually asked, these candidates scored poorly.

QUESTION 2 “When one thinks of Napoleon, one thinks of war.” Discuss Napoleon’s use of war as a means of achieving his goals outside France between 1800 and 1815.

Again this was not very popular question. The major weaknesses here were firstly, that candidates ignored the dates in the question and secondly, the inclusion by some candidates of a catalogue of Napoleon’s domestic policies. While some mention of domestic issues might be appropriate this should not be the focus of the question. One candidate answered this question by referring to Napoleon III!

QUESTION 3 Why did the Congress System collapse after 1822?

This question was quite well answered by those candidates who chose it. There was a tendency to focus too much on the formation of the ‘system’ and not on its demise-but this question was, in general, soundly done. 2003-M

QUESTION 1. To what extent was an outdated monarchy the cause of the 1789 French Revolution?

Most candidates lacked adequate historical knowledge regarding the term ‘outdated monarchy’ confining their answers to Louis XVI. Only the most successful candidates were able to focus their essays on this term and put it into a genuinely supported eighteenth century context. The general level of knowledge concerning the three estates and their concerns and the role of the municipal and regional parliaments was poor. The weakest answers narrated the causes of the French Revolution without any focus on the question.

QUESTION 2. Evaluate the results for France, and for Europe, of Napoleon Bonaparte’s foreign policy.

Somewhat surprisingly this question was poorly answered. The most common failing was the lack of knowledge shown on Napoleon’s foreign policies, which were only known in the most general terms. France was usually treated more effectively than Europe although the question was approached as if it were the effect of Napoleon’s general or domestic policies on France rather than foreign policy as such. The weakest responses presented an encapsulated biography of Napoleon’s life.

QUESTION 3. For what reasons, and with what results, did the Congress of Vienna and the various meetings of the Congress System, take place?

This question elicited some of the weakest answers (although it was one of the most popular 19th Century questions on the paper). It was truly amazing how many candidates totally ignored the second part of the question, focusing their answers entirely on the Congress of Vienna. When the Congress System was included the purpose of the later Congresses was not clearly understood with frequent confusion between rebellions in Greece, Latin America and Italy. A sharper focus on the key terms ‘reasons’ and ‘results’ would have brought higher marks.

2003-Nov

QUESTION 1 What factors made it difficult to establish a limited monarchy in France between 1789 and 1792?

This was not a popular question. Responses were generally poor as many candidates turned this in a question on the causes of the French Revolution. The term 'limited monarchy' was misunderstood by some candidates.

QUESTION 2 To what extent did Napoleon apply the principles of the French Revolution in France and the territories which he occupied?

Again not that popular. A question which proved challenging for the candidates in that it required breadth and depth of knowledge. Responses were better on the application of principles in France than in Europe.

2004-M

QUESTION 2 Analyse the effects of the policies upon France, of either Napoleon 1 between 1800 and 1815, or Charles X between 1824 and 1830.

Charles X was seldom chosen and the candidates who selected Napoleon often did not score as well as they might have expected. This was for two basic reasons. Firstly, because the whole chronology was not included and secondly, because only domestic or foreign policies were included rather than a selection of both. It was also somewhat surprising that candidates were rather shallow in their knowledge of Napoleon’s domestic policies.

QUESTION 3 Assess the main weaknesses up to 1848 of the Vienna Settlement and the Congress System.

Responses to this question were not strong. A time frame is given, as are the two main focuses of the question – the Congress of Vienna and the Congress System. Many candidates did not go up to 1848 and also ignored events in Europe in the 1830s. Other responses only dealt with the Congress of Vienna or the Congress System or had very superficial knowledge of one of them.

2004-N

QUESTION 3 How successful were the members of the Congress of Vienna in achieving their aims by 1830?

This was a fairly straight-forward question and, once the candidate had identified the aims of the Congress or of the individual countries which were in attendance, the answers were generally of a high standard.

2005-M

QUESTION 1 For what reasons, and with what results, was the French Revolution so violent between 1789 and 1794?

Answers tended to be an account of the French revolution, with only implicit attention to reason and results of violence.

Question 2 Compare and contrast the foreign policies of Napoleon I and Louis Philippe.

Not a popular question, with the few seen attempting to contrast the military exploits of Napoleon with the pacific policies of Louis Philippe.

QUESTION 3 “It restored peace and stability after a turbulent and revolutionary era.” To what extent do you agree with this judgment of the Vienna settlement (1814-1815)?

Many neglected to comment on the “turbulent and revolutionary era” and concentrated on the Vienna settlement, with some assessment on its success or failure in restoring peace and stability.

2005-N

QUESTION 1 To what extent were the main demands of revolutionaries’ in France met between 1789 and1794?

Very few candidates answered this question but they did try to identify the revolutionaries; demands and how far they were met.

QUESTION 2 “Napoleon I’s domestic policies successfully reformed and modernized France..” To what extent do you agree with this assertion?

Again a few candidates had a general idea of Napoleon’s domestic policies, but greater depth and detail was needed.

QUESTION 3 How successful was the Congress of Vienna in achieving peace and stability in Europe between 1815 and 1848?

The congress of Vienna was more popular, and most answers showed a knowledge of it and its successes and failures, although exact focus on peace and stability was sometimes lacking.

2006-M

QUESTION 1 In what ways and for what reasons did the French Revolution a) benefit France and b) harm France?

Although this was not a very popular question, it was answered better than many in past sessions on the French Revolution, with some specific evidence given for ‘benefit’ and ‘harm’.

QUESTION 2 “The overall effect of Napoleon I’s foreign policy was to bring glory to France.” To what extent do you agree with this assertion?

The main problem with answers to this question on Napoleon 1’s foreign policy is that few candidates limited their answers to foreign policy.

QUESTION 3 In what ways, and to what extent, did the aims and policies of the Great Powers in the Vienna settlement shape Europe until 1852?

Like most questions on the Vienna settlement this one was quite popular and quite well done. Aims and policies were considered, and better candidates did focus on the phrase ‘shape Europe until 1852’ in their analysis.

2006-N

QUESTION 1 To what extent did the outbreak of war in April 1792 change the nature and the course of the French Revolution?

This question on the effect of the outbreak of war in 1792 on the French Revolution was neither popular nor well done. Candidates did not know enough about the war or its impact.

QUESTION 2 “The success of Napoleon’s domestic policies in France between 1802 and 1815 has been greatly exaggerated.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

This question on Napoleon’s domestic policies between 1802 and 1815 produced evidence of reasonable knowledge of his policies, and varying responses as to whether their success has been exaggerated.

2007-M

QUESTION 1 Assess the importance of two causes of the French Revolution of 1789.

Few candidates clearly stated which two causes of the French Revolution they had chosen to assess, thus answers tended to be general causes essay, but knowledge was better than in many previous French Revolution responses.

QUESTION 2 Why, and with what results for France, did Napoleon I become emperor in 1804, and Louis XVIII king in 1814?

Napoleon was not a very popular choice, but quite well known by those who did do this question; narrative rather than analysis predominated.

QUESTION 3 Analyse the impact of the Vienna Settlement (1814–1815) on Europe until 1848.

The Vienna Settlement was quite popular, and generally well done, especially in relation to France and other territorial aspects.

2007-N

QUESTION 1 To what extent was the bankruptcy of the French monarchy the main cause of revolution in France in 1789?

There was some knowledge of the French monarchy’s financial problems and to what extent was generally addressed but the key word of ‘bankruptcy’ needed better focus.

QUESTION 2 “Napoleon’s foreign policies were not nearly as successful as his domestic policies.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Napoleon a reasonably popular choice, but this was a wide question and narrative rather than analysis predominated.

QUESTION 3 For what reasons, and with what results, did the Vienna Settlement of 1815 ignore liberalism and nationalism?

The Vienna Settlement was quite popular and generally quite well answered. Candidates did usually focus on the problems caused by and reasons for the attempted suppression of, liberalism and nationalism.

2008-M

QUESTION 1. To what extent was the French monarchy both the main cause and the main victim of the 1789 French Revolution?

The few attempts did try to consider both „main cause‟ and „victim‟, but some were more satisfactory in their attempts than others, who did fall back in to general causes of the French Revolution.

QUESTION 3. “The Congress System was a genuine attempt by the Great Powers to produce a unified policy, but their interests were too diverse for it to succeed.” To what extent do you agree with this judgment?

Some addressed the Congress System well, others concentrated too much on the Vienna Settlement.

2008-N

QUESTION 1

Reasonable answers but needed more depth and detatil of the monarchy‟s failures and the aims and failures of the various revolutionaries.

QUESTION 2

This was quite a tricky question, but some interesting answers of how Napoleon was effected by the Revolution, and to what extent he continued some of its reforms were seen.

2009-M

QUESTION 1

The best candidates focused on the “how far” command term and provided an analysis of the causes of the French Revolution. On the other hand, there were answers which revealed candidates should have a more detailed knowledge of the chronology of events in the French Revolution as they often included events post 1789.

QUESTION 2

A significant number of candidates focused on Napoleon‟s foreign policy and, consequently, wrote less relevantly. Knowledge of his home policies was not very solid. There was limited reference in answers to the issue of the “rights of man”

2009-N

QUESTION 1

Some very good responses. Weaker candidates, however, provided an unnecessary and extensive background on the causes of the French Revolution. Many answers merely described the general inequalities of the Ancien Regime, often very sketchily.

QUESTION 2

There were some sound analytical responses, but many candidate simply described Napoleon‟s domestic or foreign policies, and inevitably were unable to cover everything.

QUESTION 3

The phrase „laid the foundations for future conflicts‟ was all too often ignored or misinterpreted. 2010-M

QUESTION 1 To what extent was Louis XVI responsible for the outbreak of revolution in France in 1789?

The best candidates focused on the “how far” command term and provided an analysis of the causes of the French Revolution. On the other hand, there were answers which revealed candidates should have a more detailed knowledge of the chronology of events in the French Revolution as they often included events post 1789.

QUESTION 2 “Napoleon will trample underfoot [destroy] the rights of man, put himself above them and become a tyrant.” To what extent was this prediction correct?

A significant number of candidates focused on Napoleon‟s foreign policy and, consequently, wrote less relevantly. Knowledge of his home policies was not very solid. There was limited reference in answers to the issue of the “rights of man”

2010-N

QUESTION 1

Most candidates who answered this had reasonable knowledge of the causes of the French revolution but very few focused on the period after 1789 or the increasing violence.

QUESTION 2

Some confusion as to which Napoleon (the mark scheme took account of this) there was perhaps too much emphasis on the Russian campaign and not enough on other factors such as the Peninsular War, resistance in Prussia or the strains of prolonged war at home. For answers on Napoleon III there was some detail on foreign policy, some on Mexico but unsurprisingly little focus on the question.

2011-M

QUESTION 1 Analyse the reasons for the violent nature of the French Revolution in the years 1789–1794.

Most candidates who answered this had reasonable knowledge of the causes of the French revolution but very few focused on the period after 1789 or the increasing violence.

QUESTION 2 “Napoleon’s ambitious imperial policy was the main reason for his ultimate failure.” To what extentdo you agree with this statement?

Some confusion as to which Napoleon (the mark scheme took account of this) there was perhaps too much emphasis on the Russian campaign and not enough on other factors such as the Peninsular War, resistance in Prussia or the strains of prolonged war at home. For answers on Napoleon III there was some detail on foreign policy, some on Mexico but unsurprisingly little focus on the question.

2011-N

QUESTION 1

This was reasonably popular but quite a few answers were unable to make the links between the revolutionary period and Napoleon’s rule. Quite a few answers tried to answer a different question – had Napoleon betrayed the ideals of the revolution?

QUESTION 2

Again, a reasonably popular and generally well handled with a clear focus on successes and failures supported by good knowledge.

2012-M

QUESTION 1 “The revolutionary wars of 1792–1796 were to defend France and not spread revolution.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

This question was reasonably popular but not well done as many candidates turned their answers into a “causes” of the revolution answer. However there were some good answers which linked events in France to the conflicts between 1792 and 1796 and which also made clear and articulate comments on the response of the major powers to the revolution.

QUESTION 2 How successful was the Congress of Vienna in achieving the aims of the peacemakers?

There were a number of responses to this. Many had a good understanding of the main aims of the Congress but were not always successful in linking the terms of the Treaty of Vienna to these aims. There was reasonable comment on the success of the treaty but very few saw any limitations.

2012-N

QUESTION 1

Not very popular and not very well tackled. Candidates had an understanding of the causes of the French Revolution but were often vague on the ideas of the Enlightenment and were thus not able to make links or “assess the contribution of those ideas:

QUESTION 2

Some good responses but on the whole candidates lacked detailed knowledge to support their ideas particularly when considering Napoleon gaining power. Few were also aware of Napoleon becoming Consul for Life etc. On the other hand better answers were able to consider how he retained power by restoring stability internally as well as his military successes.

2013-M

QUESTION 1 “The poor judgment of Louis XVI was responsible for the destruction of the monarchy in France by 1793.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

This question was relatively popular, with most candidates having some broad knowledge of the causes of the revolution up to 1789, however they were less successful with the period 1789-1793. Weaker candidates tended to write more generalized answers that focused on Louis’s extravagance and youth with limited detail on financial crises, problems of the ancien régime etc.

QUESTION 2 Assess the impact of the domestic policies of Napoleon in France in the years 1799–1814.

This question was not so popular but was relatively well done with some good detail on Napoleon’s domestic policies and with focus on the “impact” on France. There was some good balanced analysis pointing out the relatively authoritarian nature of the regime. Very few were diverted to writing about Napoleon’s military activities.

2013-N

QUESTION 1 Assess the extent to which the demands of the French revolutionaries had been satisfied by 1794.

There were relatively few answers to this question and most tended to be weak and focus on the causes of the revolution with limited assessment as to the extent that the “aims “were achieved.

2014-M

QUESTION 1

Some very good answers were seen but the vast majority turned this question into a cause of the revolution essay.

QUESTION 2

Not a popular choice with answers that varied in quality. Some focused on the rise of Napoleon with little reference to the weakness of the Directory. However where the candidates had good detailed knowledge they were able to weigh up a range of factors and reach conclusions as to which was the most significant.

2014-N

QUESTION 1

There were very few responses to this question, some of which were highly generalized. Others however, demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the processes of the French revolutionary period.

QUESTION 2

There were very few answers to this question, but where responses were seen, the answers demonstrated some detailed knowledge on military matters but were less effective when focused on diplomatic and economic factors.

2015-M

QUESTION 1

Better answers examined a range of causes and were able to support their answers with reference to specific problems such as Louis XVI’s failure to support able Ministers such as Necker and the impact of the Enlightenment. However many answers consisted of basic narrative and references to the extravagance of the royal family

QUESTION 2

There was a limited number of responses; some candidates wrote about Napoleon and very few had knowledge of the reasons for the Bourbon restoration or indeed the sequence of events in 1814/1815.

4. Essay Questions from Past IB Exams, Organized by Phase

 * Why, and with what results for the French monarchy did Louis XVI summon the States General in 1789?
 * To what extent did the actions and policies of Louis XVI cause the outbreak, and affect the course, of the French Revolution until 1793?
 * Account for the financial weakness of the French Monarchy in the second half of the eighteenth century and show how far this weakness was responsible for the outbreak of revolution in France in 1789.
 * To what extent was the weakness of the French Monarchy responsible for the outbreak and course of the French Revolution between 1789 and January 1793?
 * To what extent were the weaknesses of the French Monarchy responsible for the outbreak of revolution in France in 1789?
 * In what ways and for what reasons was the French Revolution, between 1789 and 1795, a period of constitutional and legal changes?
 * To what extent was an outdated monarchy the cause of the 1789 French Revolution?
 * How far is it true to say that Napoleon I was an enlightened despot?
 * In what ways did Napoleon I’s domestic policies benefit France in the period 1799-1815?
 * “He restored order and brought back prosperity.” How far do you agree with this judgment of the domestic policies of Napoleon I during the period 1799 to 1815?
 * What part did Napoleon I’s policies play in his fall from power in 1814?
 * In 1810 Napoleon I wrote “My principle is France before everything.” To what extent did the career of Napoleon I from 1799 to 1815 follow this principle?
 * Evaluate the results for France, and for Europe, of Napoleon Bonaparte’s foreign policy.
 * Analyze the effects of the policies upon France, of either Napoleon I between 1800 and 1815, or Charles X between 1824 and 1830.
 * How far did the Congress of Vienna solve the problems faced by its delegates?
 * “The success of the Congress of Vienna has been much exaggerated.” How valid is this assessment of the short-term and long-term results of the Congress?
 * For what reasons, and with what results, did the Congress of Vienna and the various meetings of the Congress system take place?

5. Analytical Charts
Comparing the developments in France, Italy and Germany:
 * Blank charts:
 * [[file:Comp. Fr-It-G devmts.xls]][[file:Comp. Fr-It-G devmts.pdf]]
 * Filled-in by students:

Key steps in the development of the French Revolution:
 * Blank charts:
 * [[file:Steps to French. Rev.xls]][[file:Steps to French. Rev.pdf]]
 * Filled-in by students:
 * [[file:Steps to French. Rev–Annie M.xls]]

French Revolution influence on Italy & Germany:
 * Blank charts:
 * [[file:French. Rev. Infl on It,G.xls]][[file:French. Rev. Infl on It,G.pdf]]

6. Detailed Outline
Here is a detailed outline(s) and other great review materials for this unit, prepared by Shannon Leggett for her IB classes.
 * [[file:Fr Rev Outline-Leggett.pdf]]
 * [[file:Napoleon Outline-Leggett.doc]]
 * [[file:Napoleon Timeline-Leggett.doc]]
 * [[file:Napoleon Socr Sem-Leggett.doc]]