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Unit #3: French Revolution

Terms in this set (38)

French Revolution
A major change in government that began in 1789; it brought an end to the absolute monarchy and a start to a representative government
Estates
Social classes in France
First Estate
They consisted of the Roman Catholic Clergy; they received special privileges and paid no direct taxes
Second Estate
They consisted of the Nobles; they received special privileges and paid no direct taxes to the king
Third Estate
General French population (merchants to peasants) they paid high taxes and had no special privileges
Old Regime
A combination of the absolute monarchy and feudalism in France; it included the three estates
Bourgeoisie (BURZH-WAH-ZEE)
They were the urban middle-class; they were the merchants/artisans and were well-educated.
Peasants
They were the rural poor; they were the farmers who paid about half of their income in taxes to the nobles, the church and other agents of the king
Estates General
The legislative branch of the French government prior to the French Revolution; it could meet only with permission from the king (May 5th, 1789)
National Assembly
This was legislative branch of the government after the start of the revolution; it proclaimed an end to the absolute monarchy and the start of a representative government
Tennis Court Oath
A promise made by the members of the National Assembly to stay together until they had written a constitution for France; this was the first deliberate act of the revolution (treason)
King Louis XVI (16th)
He was the king of France at the start of the revolution; he was weak and indecisive
Marie Antoinette
She was the queen of France at the start of the revolution; she was from Austria and spent too much money on herself
Storming the Bastille (July 14th, 1789)
- Symbolic start of the French Revolution
- Hundreds of hungry people stormed the prison in search of gunpowder to save Paris and the National Assembly; this was the symbolic start of the revolution
Great Fear
Wave of senseless panic from rumors that nobles were hiring bandits to terrorize peasants.
Liberty, Fraternity, Equality
This was the slogan (battlecry) of the French Revolution
Maximilien Robespierre
The radical leader during the French Revolution responsible for the Reign of Terror.
Jacobins
Most popular radical group; Favored removal of the King and creation of a republic.
Reign of Terror
The excessively violent period of time during the French Revolution under the rule of Robespierre
Guillotine
A machine used to behead people; it was suppose to make death quick and painless
Committe of Public Safety
A group of 12 men who decided who was an enemy of the state; those who were, were executed
Directory
A group of 5 men who were given control of France following the Reign of Terror; Napoleon was one of the 5 men
National Assembly
This was the legislative branch of the government; it ended feudalism, serfdom, taxes to the church and the special privileges of the 1st and 2nd estates.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
This was the document written by the National Assembly that identified the natural rights of the French citizens as well as their other liberties
Radicals
This group hated the king, wanted drastic and sweeping changes and advocated the use of violence in the name of the revolution
Conservatives
This group supported the king, and wanted few changes
coup d'etat (koo-day-Tah)
sudden overthrow of the government
Lycee
Government-run public schools set up by Napoleon
Napoleonic Code
A comprehensive and uniform system of laws established for France by Napoleon
Blockade
A forcible closing of ports
Continental System
The set up of a blockade to prevent all trade and communication between Great Britain and other European nations. It was supposed to make continental Europe more self-sufficient.
Scorched-earth policy
This policy involved burning grain fields and slaughtering livestock so as to leave nothing for the enemy to eat
Hundred Days
Napoleons last bid for power of France
Waterloo
Belgium village where Napoleon suffered his final defeat.
Congress of Vienna
A series of meetings in Vienna which were called to set up politics to achieve the goal of long-lasting peace and stability in Europe
Balance of Power
Made it so that no country would be a threat to others
Legitimacy
A principle that agreed that as many as possible of the rulers whom Napoleon had driven from their thrones be restored to power
Concert of Europe
A series of alliances devised at the Congress of Vienna which ensured that nations would help one another if any revolutions broke out
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