French Revolution and Renaissance & Reformation

These flashcards cover key concepts and significant events from the French Revolution and the Renaissance & Reformation eras.

What was the Ancien Régime?

The political and social system in France before the French Revolution.

What does Ancien Régime translate to?

Old Regime.

How can Louis XVI be described?

Weak, indecisive, and ineffective.

Give examples of Louis XVI’s weaknesses.

He failed to fix France’s financial crisis and made poor decisions during unrest.

Who made up the First Estate?

The clergy (about 1% of the population).

Who made up the Second Estate?

The nobility (about 2% of the population).

Who made up the Third Estate?

The common people (about 97% of the population).

How much land did the First and Second Estates own?

About 20% of the land.

How did the Third Estate feel about land ownership and taxes?

Angry and treated unfairly because they paid most taxes.

What three groups mainly made up the Third Estate?

Bourgeoisie, urban workers, and peasants.

What caused France’s financial crisis before the Revolution?

Costly wars, royal spending, and an unfair tax system.

What happened as a result of the Estates-General meeting?

The Third Estate formed the National Assembly.

Who wrote What Is the Third Estate?

Abbé Sieyès.

How did Abbé Sieyès define a nation?

The people who work and produce (the Third Estate).

What three demands did Abbé Sieyès make?

Equal representation, voting by head, and political power for the Third Estate.

What was the Tennis Court Oath?

A promise to not disband until France had a constitution.

What does Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité mean?

Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood.

What caused the storming of the Bastille?

Fear of royal troops and the search for weapons.

Why is the storming of the Bastille important?

It symbolized the beginning of the French Revolution.

What was the Great Fear?

A period of panic among peasants.

What happened during the Great Fear?

Peasants attacked nobles’ homes and destroyed feudal records.

What was the Declaration of the Rights of Man?

A document stating natural rights for men.

What was the Declaration of the Rights of Woman?

A document demanding equal rights for women, written by Olympe de Gouges.

How were the two declarations similar?

Both supported equality and natural rights.

How were the two declarations different?

One focused on men; the other demanded rights for women.

What happened during the Women’s March on Versailles?

Women demanded bread and forced the royal family to move to Paris.

What was the Mountain?

A radical political group in the National Convention.

Which group was part of the Mountain?

The Jacobins.

What was happening between France, Austria, and Prussia?

They were at war.

What was the goal of the Committee of Public Safety?

To protect the revolution by eliminating enemies.

What event led to the Reign of Terror?

The execution of King Louis XVI.

How did Robespierre lose power?

He was arrested and executed after others feared him.

Who was Napoleon Bonaparte?

A French military general.

How did Napoleon rise to power?

Through a coup d’état.

How did Napoleon abuse his power?

He crowned himself emperor and limited freedoms.

How did Napoleon fail as a military leader?

His invasion of Russia failed due to winter and lack of supplies.

What sparked political unrest in Haiti?

Enlightenment ideas and the injustice of slavery.

How was the Haitian Revolution linked to the French Revolution?

It was inspired by French revolutionary ideas of liberty and equality.

What does Renaissance translate to?

Rebirth.

What time frame is the Renaissance in?

About 1300–1600.

Why did the Renaissance begin in Italy?

Wealth from trade, classical Roman influence, and strong patron support.

What was special about Florence during the Renaissance?

Banking center, Medici family, major art and culture hub.

What was special about Venice?

A major trading port linking Europe and Asia.

Why was Italy important to the Renaissance?

Wealthy city-states, Roman ruins, access to classical texts.

What is a patron?

A person who financially supports artists and scholars.

Who were the Medici?

A powerful banking family and major patrons of the arts in Florence.

Who was Lorenzo the Magnificent?

A Medici ruler of Florence who supported Renaissance artists.

Which Pope was a Medici?

Pope Leo X (also Clement VII).

How did the Renaissance affect religion?

Encouraged questioning tradition and Church authority.

What is a Renaissance Man?

A person skilled in many areas.

Who is the most famous Renaissance Man?

Leonardo da Vinci.

What is Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous painting?

The Mona Lisa.

Who wrote The Prince?

Niccolò Machiavelli.

Who did Machiavelli write The Prince for?

Italian rulers, especially Lorenzo de Medici.

Why did Machiavelli write The Prince?

To explain how to gain and maintain power.

Who was the leader of the Protestant Reformation?

Martin Luther.

When did Martin Luther start the Reformation?

1517.

How did Martin Luther start the Reformation?

By posting the 95 Theses.

What is Sola Fide?

Salvation by faith alone.

What is Sola Scriptura?

The Bible is the ultimate authority.

What is Sola Gratia?

Salvation by God’s grace alone.

What did Martin Luther do while in hiding?

Translated the Bible into German.

What movement did Martin Luther inspire?

The Protestant Reformation.

Name two other Protestant leaders.

John Calvin and Huldrych Zwingli.

What was the Diet of Worms?

A meeting where Luther was ordered to recant.

What does recant mean?

To take back or deny beliefs.

What was Henry VIII’s problem with the Catholic Church?

The Pope refused to annul his marriage.

What was the result of Henry VIII’s conflict with the Church?

England broke away from the Catholic Church.

What did the Act of Supremacy do?

Made Henry VIII head of the Church of England.

Which denomination resulted from Henry VIII’s actions?

Anglican Church.

What happened at the Council of Trent?

The Catholic Church began the Counter-Reformation.

What is humanism?

Focus on classical learning, education, and human potential.

What is Christian humanism?

Applying humanist ideas to Christianity and Bible study.

How does humanism relate to the Renaissance and Reformation?

It shaped Renaissance learning and encouraged religious reform.