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There were numerous rumors of an aristocratic conspiracy to overthrow the 3rd Estate. This lead to unrest and dissent among the peasantry. This unrest led to peasant uprisings and short bursts of violence, such as the taking of the Bastille.
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The calling of the Estates General was very concerning and usual as they were called last in the 17th century. This enabled the Third Estate to break off and form the National Assembly, by way of the Tennis Court Oath. The calling of the Estates General caused the taking of Tennis Court Oath.
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The tennis court oath was taken by the 3rd Estate after they were barred from the Estates General. At this meeting, they formed the National Assembly, obviously a cause of the National Assembly creating the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizens.
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The Storming of the Bastille was a watershed moment in the French Revolution. It represented a huge symbolic victory for the people revolting. It emboldened their actions to more violent extremes. These radical extremes enabled Robespierre to rise to power and begin the Reign of Terror.
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The National Assembly adopting the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen characterized the revolutionary values of the time. The effect was that these rights were expected to not be abridged in the future. This meant Napoleon had to work around and preserve these rights. His promises to preserve these promised rights through legislation like the Napoleonic code led to his position as first consul.
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The chaos, violence and volatile nature of the Reign of Terror caused the French populace to long for stability and order. This desire enabled Napoleon to not only take power, but to declare himself Emperor with relatively little resistance.
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Louis XVI's execution created fear and panic. Chaos reigned and organization was nowhere to be found. Although loathed, France had been a monarchy for hundreds of years. This power vacuum enabled Napoleon to begin consolidating power, and eventually lead his coup d'etat.
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The Directory suffered from widespread corruption. However, it helped to improve France's military power and prowess. This military improvement enabled the Napoleonic conquests, which led to Napoleon's exile.
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An effect of his successful coup d'etat was popular support for his declaration of himself as first consul. The Directory was corrupt and not well-liked by the French public. His disposal of the Directory gave him public support for his role as first consul.
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Napoleon's role as First Consul gave him the power to win favor and gain loyalty. He networked with military and government officials to win their support and then used this to declare himself emperor.
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Napoleon's role as Emperor was caused by the French desire for stability, organization, and control in government. After the chaos of the Revolution and the Reign of Terror, Napoleon's absolutism appealed to the French people.
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The Continental System led to Napoleon's first exile on the island of Elba. This system provoked the British into a maritime conflict with Napoleon's forces. His forces were stretched too thin, provoking his invasion of Russia. His waning success enabled the allies to force him to abdicate and exile him
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Napoleon's exile to Elba was caused by his expansionist goals for Europe. He wanted France's territories to expand, and thus created the Continental System. This involved other the European powers, who would defeat him, force his abdication, and exile him on the island of Elba.
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Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo was an effect of his declaring himself emperor. One of his major goals as Emperor was to foster French territorial expansion. He began campaigns into Swedish and Prussian lands and made considerable progress in conquering parts of Europe. This drew the attention of the allies of the conquered territories, and they formed the quadruple alliance. This alliance was responsible for his defeat at Waterloo.
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The cause of Napoleon’s exile to St. Helena was his previous exile to St. Elba and its inefficacy in containing him properly. His captivity was a major concern for the other European powers, who wanted to avoid him escaping and starting more costly and destructive wars. They moved him to a more isolated and secure island to prevent another escape.
