French Revolution

The Bourbon Dynasty

A major French royal dynasty that ruled France from 1589-1792.

Estates-General

A general assembly representing France’s three social classes.

1. First Estate The Clergy

2. Second Estate The Nobility

3. Third Estate The Commoners

Absolute Monarchy

System of government where a single sovereign holds absolute rule as a centralised authority.

Leadership typically passed down through Hereditary Succession.

Louis XIV

AKA the Sun King as his subjects revolved around him, believed in the Devine right of kings, “The State is me”. Ruled from 1643-1715.

Nobles of the Sword

Part of the Second Estate- The Nobility.

Nobles of the Sword descended from French knights.

Nobles of the Robe

Also part of the Second Estate but made their money on their own.

Jacques Necker

Served as finance minister of France for Louis XVI. He wanted to introduce reforms to aid Frances large dept.

The Jacobin

The most radical and influential political club during the French Revolution (active from 1789-1794)

Wanted to abolish the French Monarchy

Girondists

Moderate political faction during the French Revolution active from 1791-1793.

Favoured a decentralised government and a constitutional democracy.

The San-Culottes

Radical, lower-class urban labourers, artisans and craftsmen who became a driving force of the French Revolution between 1792-1795.

The Mountain

Radical political group in the National Convention. Earned their name by sitting on the highest benches on the left side of the assembly hall. Closely allied with the working class. Led by Maximilien Robespierre.

The Commune

The revolutionary municipal government of Paris, established in June-July 1789 at the Hôtel de Ville.

The Committee of Public Safety

An executive governing body created by the National Convention on April 1793. Established as a wartime cabinet and emergency government to protect the newly formed French Republic against foreign armies.

The Vendee Revolt

A massive counter-revolutionary and royalist civil war in western France from 1793 to 1796. The cause of the revolt was the revolutionary government’s anti-clerical policies, and the demand priests take an oath of loyalty to the state.

Maximilien Robespierre

Radical French lawyer and statesman, and leader of the Jacobin club.