French Revolution

First Estate

The clergy, high-ranking members of the church, including cardinals and bishops.

Second Estate

The nobility and wealthy aristocrats in France.

Third Estate

The common people in France, including the urban poor, bourgeoisie, and sans-culottes.

Sans-Culottes

The urban poor and common people of the Third Estate.

Bourgeoisie

The wealthy middle class in the Third Estate.

Inflation

The increase in prices due to rising demand and low supply, especially concerning essential goods like bread.

Tithes

Taxes that were paid to the church.

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement emphasizing reason, logic, and scientific methods.

Locke

The father of liberalism who introduced modern ideas about democracy and natural rights: life, liberty, and property.

Montesquieu

A philosopher who developed the idea of separation of powers in government.

Voltaire

An advocate for civil liberties and critiques on the relationship between government and religion.

Rousseau

Philosopher known for his ideas on direct democracy and the consent of the governed.

Hobbes

Philosopher who introduced the concept of the social contract.

Louis XVI (16th)

Indecisive king of France who failed to tax the privileged estates, leading to his execution.

Marie Antoinette

Wife of Louis XVI, known for her perceived insensitivity to the poor, famously saying 'let them eat cake'.

Estates-General

The French Parliament made up of three houses representing each estate.

Vote by Order

A voting system where each estate gets one vote instead of voting by individual representatives.