AP Euro: Unit 5 French Revolution

Estates General

Separation of 3 Estates in pre-revolutionary France; disbanded when the National Assembly was created

National Assembly

This governing body wanted a constitutional monarchy in France; the first national government of the French Revolution: 1789-1791.

Legislative Assembly

This legislative body ruled France during the First French Republic

Clergy

They compromised the First Estate

The Declaration of the Rights of Man

This legal document attempted to give citizens of France more liberty imitating the American Declaration of Independence

Marie Antoinette

wife of Louis XVI; extravagant spending and lack of concern for the problems of French peasants led to her execution

Tennis Court Oath

The July 20,1789 pledge by the third estate proclaimed it the sovereign power of France while promising to create a constitution

American Revolution

This earlier foreign Revolution contributed to France's enormous debt and also inspired liberals to demand more political liberty

Storming of the Bastille

This violent event in Paris on July 14, 1789, inadvertently saved the National Assembly; represented a successful attack on the tyranny of the Old Regime.

Committee of Public Safety

This small group, led by Robespierre, oversaw the Reign of Terror

Spain

This was the first country to rebel against Napoleon's rule. He placed his brother on the throne

The Continental System

Napoleon created this economic alliance in 1806 that sought to destroy Britain's trade with Continental Europe.

Waterloo

Occurring in 1815, a defeat for Napoleon, this was the last battle of the Napoleonic Wars.

peasants

this social class were the greatest number of victims under "The Terror"

Great Fear

panic in the countryside that fanned the flames of rebellion; peasant revolts against the nobility and feudalism

Civil Constitution of the Clergy

Ended Papal rule over French Church

Constitution of 1795

Established a new law code which was influenced by many of the Enlightenment ideals

Cahiers

List of grievances by the Third Estate

Directory

Established after the Reign of Terror / National Convention; a five man group as the executive branch of the country; incompetent and corrupt, only lasted for 4 years.

bourgeoisie

The wealthiest members of the Third Estate

Reign of Terror

Radical Phase that left many dead via guillotine; led by Robespierre

Robespierre

A Jacobin, one of the most radical leaders of the French Revolution; led the government during the Reign of Terror. After a public reaction against his extreme policies, he was executed without trial.

Constitution of 1791

Established a new Legislative Assembly

Napoleon Bonaparte

Overthrew the Directory and crowned himself Emperor in 1804, ruled until 1814

King Louis XVI

ineffective, unpopular French king; beheaded for treason against the country of France

Causes of French Revolution

Rising bread prices, debt, war, social class system, unfair taxes

Napoleonic Code

A comprehensive and uniform system of laws established for France by Napoleon

Congress of Vienna

In 1814-1815; attempt to keep peace throughout Europe, restored monarchy; led by Quadruple Alliance

Russia

The invasion of this country led to the downfall of Napoleon due to the decimation of his army