French + Haitian Revolution

émigrés

People (mostly nobles and clergy) who opposed the revolution and fled France. By 1792 nearly 10,000 were in the Austrian Netherlands forming armies to help fight to stop the revolution.

Republic

A representative government where the lawmakers are chosen by the people.

Louis XVI

Claimed divine right and absolute power, he was weak and indecisive

Marie Antoinette

Unpopular because: Austrian, didn't have babies quick enough, very unpopular, very rich and spent lots of money

1st Estate

Clergy/church, 1% of pop

2nd Estate

Nobles, 2% of pop

3rd Estate

97% of the population. Included the Bourgeoisie, Urban working class, and peasants. Only group that paid taxes.

Bourgeoisie

The wealthiest level of the third estate. Made up of wealthy "middle class" which included bankers, lawyers, etc. and were educated and "enlightened". Could buy their way to nobility status.

Peasants

The largest group within the 3rd estate. Paid feudal dues to second estate.

sans culottes

Radicals in Paris that wanted dramatic changes at a faster pace to address issues such as the division of classes and corruption. They did not wear breeches (a sign of wealth) and instead wore long plain pants.

Guillotine

An enlightened execution device that was a quick, efficient, equal, and supposedly painless form of punishment.

Girondins

Political club of moderates who wanted some changes but didn't support all extreme measures (like didn't want king to be executed).

Jacobins

Political club of radicals who believed king needed to be executed.

Committee of Public Safety

Given broad powers by National Convention, took control of government, and adopted policies to defend against domestic threats.

Robespierre

French politician who decided to make changes about the increasing violence and chaos in France. He argued for a very strict rule called the "Reign of Terror", where the government ruled with fear to control France.

Danton

Friend and partner of Robespierre who believed that the Reign of Terror was not necessary anymore. Robespierre accused him of treason and executed him by guillotine.

Marat

Journalist and politician during the French Revolution. Published a radical journal called Friend of the People, which often listed counter-revolutionists.

Napoleon

Successful French military general that took over government, declared himself lifelong emperor of France in 1804, failed military campaigns in SD+Russia, exiled twice

Coup d'etat

overthrowing of the government by non-legal means, usually by military/dictator (this is how Napoleon got power)

Meeting of the Estates-General

Louis XVI called them in 1789 to vote on possible new taxation policy, every estate got one vote (meaning third estate would always be outvoted)

Tennis Court Oath

When 3rd estate deputies of the estates general were locked out of meeting place, they made an oath to draft a new constitution for France.

Storming of the Bastille

Common people took over and destroyed this prison in 1789 to arm themselves with weapons inside and symbolically to attack the king's power over the people. It's considered the start of the French Rev

Civil Constitution of the Clergy

Clergy had to be elected, not chosen by the pope, and that the state would pay them. Also clergy had to take oath of loyalty to the revolutionary government. This made many French Catholics angry.

Declaration of the Rights of Man

In 1789, the National Assembly wrote this. Said all men were equal before the law, appointment to public office should be by merit, and no one is exempt from taxation. Freedom of speech and the press were guaranteed.

Women's March to Versailles

Thousands of armed Parisian women (and many men) protested at the royal palace demanding the king to come live in Paris where all his people were starving.

King's escape attempt (Flight to Varennes)

In 1791, the royal family attempted to flee in disguise to Austria, but were captured and brought back to Paris.

Constitution of 1791

Set up a limited monarchy where their was still a king, but a Legislative Assembly would create the laws. Only men over the age of 25 who paid a certain amount of taxes could vote.

Constitution of 1793

Set up a republic (no monarchy). All men could vote. Was almost immediately suspended as the Reign of Terror began.

September Massacres

Sans-culottes slaughtering thousands of prisoners in jails in Paris to eliminate any "internal enemies".

Execution of the King

Was convicted of treason by the National Convention. The Girondins pushed to spare his like but the Jacobin majority won the vote.

Reign of Terror (the Terror)

Period where the Committee of Public Safety put policies like mass execution in place to defend France from domestic threats.

Republic of Virtue

Political theory promoted by Robespierre during the Terror that aimed to promote equality through things like free public education and controlling prices. A lot of it was implemented ineffectively.

Revolutionary calendar

Intended partly as an attack on the Church. Year 1 became the start of the republic (not birth of Christ) Weeks were 10 days with one rest day and months were 30 days and named after seasons.

Napoleon's Grand Empire

By 1810 controlled most of Europe, two he did not control were England and Russia

Napoleon's Russia Campaign

Troops went from 600,000 to 30,000 as scorched-earth tactics to drew the French further east. Turning point showing Napoleon was now on the defensive after losing big.

Napoleonic Code (Code Napoleon, Civil Code)

Reformed French laws to have more equality- all men are equal under the law and all people have the right to property

tithe

A 10% income tax from church members (paid to the Church)

Law of Suspects

Established by Committee of Public Safety during the Terror to broaden the definition of treason and make the trial process swift.

Hispaniola

The Spanish name for the entire island before it split (Currently Haiti + Dominican Republic).

Saint-Domingue

The western ⅓ of the island controlled by France. Was won from Spain and is currently Haiti.

Santo Domingo

The eastern ⅔ of the island controlled by Spain. Is currently the Dominican Republic.

Tainos

The original inhabitants of the island before the Europeans came and took over. Numbering around a million, they were killed off by Spanish conquest within a generation or two.

planters

They owned land and slaves on the island of Saint-Domingue.

affranchis

They were free people of color and the term refers to ex-slaves. It was used as an insult because it refered to free people of color during a time of slavery.

slave "elite"

Given a position of authority and sometimes worked as artisans like carpenters or blacksmiths, usually born on the island.

commandeur

"elite" slaves who supervised fields workers

vodou (voodoo)

Religion that originated in colonial times and is still practiced today. Mix of Catholicism and African religion.

Code Noir

A set of laws that outlined France's policies on the treatment of enslaved and free black people

maroons

Runaway slaves that would commonly flee to the inner mountain region and form their own community

Toussaint Louverture

A black military leader that would later declare himself as governor for life. Formerly part of the slave elite.

emancipation

Being freed from legal and or political restrictions. Enslaved people gained this during the Haitian revolution in 1794.

Reparations

Money payments to cover the cost of property damaged in war. Haiti agreed to pay these to France.

Embargo

Total trade ban between two particular countries

President J. Adams' attitude toward Haiti

Strong supporter of Toussaint Louverture and the Haitian revolution. He supported the Haitians because he considered France a dangerous rival.

President T. Jefferson's attitude toward Haiti

Didn't support the Haitian revolution because he was afraid their abolition of slavery would inspire American slaves to revolt. Eventually, he cut off all trade with Haiti.

Initial goals of slaves who revolted and how they changed over time

Wanted better working conditions and more humane treatment. Later focused on abolishing slavery, some blacks even wanted all whites removed from the island.

Settlement Toussaint Louverture offered to white leaders during slave revolt

All the slave rebels return to working on the plantations with better work conditions. The whites refuse this offer.

Toussaint Louverture's constitution

Abolished slavery forever, outlawed Voodoo → must be Catholic, Made Louverture governor for life

Why France abolished slavery in its colonies

White colonists were making deals with Britain who was fighting to take the colony. France needed a loyal army to fight off Spain and Britain.

Some reasons why France did not do well in the war for independence

When France started disarming people and rumors came in that slavery was restored in other colonies Haitians fought back and used scortched-earht tactics. Also many French soldiers died of yellow fever.

Feudal dues

Nobles could require peasants to pay rent for land and fees for things like using the flour mill, hunting in the woods, using communal ovens. etc.

National Assembly

First revolutionary government formed at time of Tennis Court Oath

National Convention

Elected legislature under the Constitution of 1793. Undertook more radical policies than earlier legislatures.