French Revolution

Enlightenment

a movement that emphasized science and reason as guides to help see the world more clearly

John Locke

17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings and who asserted that people have a natural right to life, liberty, and property.

Rousseau

(1712-1778) Believed that society threatened natural rights and freedoms. Wrote about society's corruption caused by the revival of sciences and art instead of it's improvement. He was sponsored by the wealthy and participated in salons but often felt uncomfortable and denounced them. Wrote "The Social Contract."

Montesquieu

French political philosopher who advocated the separation of executive and legislative and judicial powers (1689-1755)

Voltaire

French philosopher and writer whose works epitomize the Age of Enlightenment, often attacking injustice and intolerance.

Ancien Regime

The traditional political and social order in Europe before the French Revolution

What is the Estate System?

A system of stratification under which peasants were required to work land leased to them by nobles.

What did peasants receive in exchange for working land in the Estate System?

Military protection and other services.

What is another name for the Estate System?

Feudalism.

Third Estate

97% of the population (the rest of France) They consisted of the bourgeoisie, the san-culottes and the peasants; they paid high taxes and had no special privileges

National deficit

The amount of money the federal government spends beyond what it gathers in taxes.

Who was in the second estate?

nobility

Estates General

An assembly of representatives from all three of the estates, or social classes, in France.

National Debt

The sum of government deficits over time.

What was the Tennis Court Oath?

A pledge made by the members of France's National Assembly in 1789, in which they vowed to continue meeting until they had drawn up a new constitution

Reign of Terror

(1793-94) during the French Revolution when thousands were executed for "disloyalty"

Who were the key philosophers of the Enlightenment mentioned in the notes?

John Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu, Voltaire.

What was the social structure of France before the Revolution, known as the Ancien Regime?

It consisted of three estates: clergy, nobles/nobility (aristocrats/aristocracy), and the Third Estate.

What was the Third Estate composed of?

The Third Estate included the bourgeoisie, peasants, and sans-culottes.

What significant event marked the beginning of the French Revolution?

The Storming of the Bastille.

What was the Tennis Court Oath?

A pledge made by members of the National Assembly not to disband until a new constitution was established.

What document proclaimed the rights of individuals during the French Revolution?

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen.

What was the Reign of Terror?

A period during the French Revolution characterized by extreme political repression and mass executions, led by Maximilien Robespierre.

What was the Civil Code, also known as the Napoleonic Code?

A legal code established by Napoleon that consolidated many revolutionary reforms and became a model for legal systems in other countries.

What was the Continental System?

Napoleon's economic blockade against Britain aimed at weakening its economy.

What were the political ideologies that emerged during the French Revolution?

Conservatism, Liberalism, Radicalism, and Nationalism.

What was the significance of the Women's March to Versailles in October 1789?

It was a pivotal event where women marched to demand bread and to confront King Louis XVI, reflecting the discontent with the monarchy.

What event is referred to as the King's Flight to Varennes?

The attempted escape of King Louis XVI and his family in June 1791, which ultimately failed and led to increased suspicion of the monarchy.

What were the September Massacres?

A series of killings of prisoners in Paris in September 1792, driven by fear of counter-revolutionaries.

What was DeChristianization during the French Revolution?

A campaign to reduce the influence of the Catholic Church in France, including the removal of religious symbols and the promotion of secularism.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

Adopted August 26, 1789, created by the National Assembly to give rights to all (except women).

September Massacres

Louis's imprisonment was followed by the September massacres. Wild stories seized the city that imprisoned counter-revolutionary aristocrats/priests were plotting with the allied invaders. As a results, angry crowds invaded the prisons of Paris and summarily slaughtered half the men and women they found.

Women's March to Versailles

A significant event during the French Revolution where thousands of women marched from Paris to the Palace of Versailles to demand bread and political reforms.

Versailles

The royal residence of the French monarchy, known for its opulence and the site of the Women's March.

Bread Riots

Civil unrest caused by food shortages and high prices, which were a major factor in motivating the march.

Marianne

A symbol of the French Republic and a representation of liberty and reason, often associated with the revolutionary movements.

October Days

Refers to the series of events in October 1789, including the march, that led to the royal family being brought back to Paris.

Flight to Varennes

The attempted escape of King Louis XVI and his family from Paris to the fortified town of Varennes in June 1791.

French Revolution

A period of radical social and political change in France from 1789 to 1799 that led to the rise of republicanism and the decline of monarchies.

Capture at Varennes

The moment when the royal family was recognized and apprehended by revolutionaries while attempting to flee, leading to their return to Paris.

Varennes

A small town in northeastern France where the royal family was captured during their escape attempt.

feudalism

economic system where those that own land have political power and those that farm it have none. The French nobility were the landowners (or landlords), the French peasantry paid significant fees to their landlords for the "privilege" to farm that land.

divine right monarchy

the belief that the monarch (king or queen) gets their power from God.

guillotine

A machine for beheading people, used as a means of execution during the French Revolution.

Political ideologies

sets of political values held by individuals regarding the basic goals of government and politics

Maximilien Robespierre

Revolutionary leader who tried to wipe out every trace of France's past monarchy and nobility

Napoleon Bonaparte

A French military leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and became Emperor of the French.

Coup d'état

A sudden and illegal seizure of government power, notably executed by Napoleon in 1799 to establish his rule.

Napoleonic Code

A comprehensive set of civil laws established by Napoleon that influenced legal systems in many countries.

Battle of Austerlitz

A significant battle in 1805 where Napoleon achieved a decisive victory against the Russian and Austrian armies.

Exile

The state of being barred from one's native country, which Napoleon experienced twice, first to Elba and later to Saint Helena.

Continental System

An economic blockade imposed by Napoleon against Britain to weaken its economy and promote French dominance.

Waterloo

The battle in 1815 where Napoleon was defeated by the Seventh Coalition, marking the end of his rule.

Bourgeoisie

The middle class in France, often involved in commerce and industry, who played a significant role in the French Revolution.

Peasants

The rural working class in France, primarily engaged in agriculture, who faced economic hardships and contributed to revolutionary sentiments.

Sans-culottes

Working-class militants in Paris during the French Revolution, known for their radical demands and distinctive clothing.

Clergy

Members of the religious order in France, who held significant social and political influence, particularly before the Revolution.

Nobles/Nobility (Aristocrats/Aristocracy)

The privileged class in France, often owning land and holding titles, who were resistant to revolutionary changes.

Who is considered the father of modern conservatism and authored 'Reflections on the Revolution in France'?

Edmund Burke.

What was Edmund Burke's main critique of the French Revolution?

He viewed the rapid dismantling of established institutions and traditions with deep suspicion, warning against the dangers of radical change.

What do conservatives emphasize as essential for societal stability?

Tradition, continuity, and gradual, organic change.

How did conservatives view established institutions during the French Revolution?

They defended institutions like the monarchy, aristocracy, and the Church as essential for maintaining social order and stability.

What significant event during the French Revolution confirmed conservative fears about violence and instability?

The Reign of Terror.

What was the human cost of revolutionary ideals highlighted by conservatives?

The violence and bloodshed, particularly the execution of innocent victims like Marie Antoinette.

What period emerged in Europe after Napoleon's defeat in 1815?

The Conservative Order.

What was the goal of conservative statesmen during the Conservative Order?

To restore old orders, particularly the monarchies and aristocracies that had been overthrown.

What did conservatives believe about the development of societies?

They believed societies develop slowly over time, shaped by unique histories and cultures.

Who was Joseph de Maistre and what characterized his conservative views?

A Savoyard statesman known for his religious fervor and strong anti-revolutionary sentiment, arguing for the need of monarchy, nobility, and the Church to prevent human depravity.

Which group initially supported some revolutionary ideals but later represented more moderate positions?

The Marquis de Lafayette and the Girondins.

What did conservatives warn could result from reliance on abstract ideals like reason and universal rights?

Chaos and tyranny.

What did conservatives believe about the 'sacred principle of private property'?

They viewed it as essential for societal conduct and stability.

What did Burke and other conservatives argue against in terms of societal change?

They argued against discarding accumulated wisdom in favor of sudden upheaval.

What was a common sentiment among conservatives regarding the French Revolution's outcomes?

They were concerned about the violence and instability that accompanied the Revolution.

What was the conservative perspective on the role of the Church during the French Revolution?

They defended the Church as an essential institution for maintaining social order.

How did conservatives react to the radicalism of the French Revolution?

They articulated a strong intellectual reaction against it, emphasizing the need for stability and tradition.

What did conservatives believe about the nature of human beings?

They believed human nature was inherently flawed and required strong institutions to maintain order.

What was the outcome of conservative attempts to 'turn back the clock' after the Revolution?

These attempts were not always successful in restoring the old orders.

What did Burke consider the execution of Marie Antoinette to be?

An example of an innocent victim of revolutionary ideals.

What did the conservative critique of the French Revolution emphasize regarding change?

The dangers of radical change and the importance of gradual reform.

Which Enlightenment philosophers influenced liberal ideas during the French Revolution?

Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Rousseau.

What was the primary goal of the early reforms during the French Revolution (1789-1791)?

To dismantle the Old Regime and implement significant reforms based on liberal thought.

What does the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789) assert?

It articulates core liberal principles like natural rights to liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression, declaring that all men are born free and equal in rights.

What limitation was placed on political rights in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen?

Political rights were initially limited to property-owning men over 25.

What type of government was established during the early stages of the French Revolution?

A constitutional monarchy with limits on the king's power.

What economic reforms did the National Assembly implement during the Revolution?

They aimed to free the economy by abolishing guilds, internal tariffs, and chartered monopolies, aligning with laissez-faire principles.

What was the Le Chapelier Law of June 1791?

A law that suppressed workers' associations and strikes, reflecting an emphasis on individual economic initiative.

What judicial reforms were introduced during the French Revolution?

The old judicial system was abolished, elected judges were established, jury trials for criminal cases were introduced, and the right to counsel was protected.

Who were the early supporters of the liberal movement in the French Revolution?

Liberal-minded clergy, nobles, and members of the bourgeoisie who joined the Third Estate to form the National Assembly.

What were the main characteristics of the Girondins during the Revolution?

They championed democratic reform, secularism, a strong legislature, supported free markets, opposed price controls, and advocated for exporting the Revolution through war.

What shift occurred in the political landscape as the French Revolution progressed?

Tensions grew between moderate liberals and radical factions, leading to the purging of the Girondins from the National Convention in 1793.

What policies did the Montagnards adopt under pressure from the sans-culottes?

More radical economic and social policies, including price controls (the Maximum), taxation of the rich, and national assistance for the poor.

What was the initial aim of the constitutional monarchy established during the Revolution?

To tame the monarchy rather than abolish it.

What was the significance of popular sovereignty in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen?

It asserted that the authority of the government derives from the will of the people.

How did the Girondins' stance change after the King's attempted flight?

They initially supported a constitutional monarchy but generally became republicans afterward.

What role did the bourgeoisie play in the early stages of the French Revolution?

They were significant supporters of liberal reforms and joined the National Assembly.

What was the impact of the Reign of Terror on the political factions during the Revolution?

It marked a shift towards more authoritarian policies and the suppression of moderate factions like the Girondins.

What was the relationship between the Girondins and women's suffrage?

Some Girondins were early advocates for women's suffrage.

What was the primary focus of the Girondins regarding economic policy?

They supported free markets and opposed price controls.

What did the Girondins advocate for in terms of the Revolution's expansion?

They advocated for exporting the Revolution through war.

What was the role of the sans-culottes in the French Revolution?

They pressured the Montagnards to adopt more radical economic and social policies.