GLOBAL AGE OF REVOLUTIONS

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. It inspired revolutionary ideas about democracy and human rights.

Moderate Phase

The second stage of the French Revolution, marked by the establishment of the National Assembly and the push for reforms, including the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

Radical Phase

The most intense and transformative stage of the French Revolution, characterized by extreme political factions, the Reign of Terror, and significant violence against perceived enemies of the revolution.

The Directory 

The governing phase of France following the Reign of Terror, characterized by a more moderate political approach and instability. It consisted of a five-man directory that ruled from 1795 until 1799, before giving way to Napoleon Bonaparte.

Napoleon Bonaparte

A military leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and became Emperor of the French, known for his legal reforms and expansion of French territory.

Congress of Vienna

An assembly of European leaders held in 1814-1815 to establish a balance of power and restore order after the Napoleonic Wars, aiming to prevent future conflicts in Europe.

Balance of Power Diplomacy

A diplomatic approach aimed at preventing any one nation from becoming too powerful, commonly used in the context of European politics to maintain stability and peace.

Prince Klemmens von Metternich

An Austrian diplomat who played a key role in the Congress of Vienna, advocating for conservative policies and the restoration of monarchies in Europe after the Napoleonic Wars.

Napoleonic Code

A civil law code established by Napoleon in 1804, which reformed legal systems across Europe by promoting principles such as equality before the law and the secular nature of the state.

Robespierre

A leading figure of the French Revolution and head of the Committee of Public Safety, known for his role in the Reign of Terror. He advocated for radical democracy and the eradication of enemies of the revolution.

Jean-Paul Marat

A French revolutionary journalist and politician known for his radical views and support for the Jacobins during the French Revolution, he became an influential figure in the push for revolutionary change and was assassinated in 1793.

The Jacobins

a radical political club during the French Revolution that advocated for republicanism and the use of violence to achieve political ends. They played a key role in the Reign of Terror.

the Glorious Revolution

a political upheaval in England from 1688 to 1689, leading to the overthrow of King James II. It established constitutional monarchy and affirmed parliamentary authority.