Unit 5 French Revolution and Napoleon

The Estates

France's social class system consisting of 3 estates. The first estate is the clergy, the second estate is the nobility, and the third estate includes everyone else (about 98% of the population)

Bourgeouisie

Upper class capitalists who owned the factories

Louis XVI

French Bourban monarch between 1774-1792. He was a weak and ineffective king who responded ineffectively to the demands of the French revolutionaries. He was the only French king, along with his wife Marie Antoinette, who was executed by guillotine in 1793.

Jacques Necker

Louis XVI's finance minister between 1776-1788.

He thought there should be a general tax on all land property and wanted to call the Estates General. He tended to sympathize with the 3rd estate. Was removed by Louis XVI.

Maximillien Robespierre

A Jacobin radical; accused people who spoke against the revolution and would send them to the guillotine, including Danton. Wanted to dechristianize France and undermine the Catholic church; changed the Catholic Calendar to the Revolutionary/Republican Calendar during his Republic of Virtue. He was arrested and sent to the guillotine on July 27, 1794 for taking things too far.

Jacobins

members of a radical political club behind terror and revolution. Most members were well educated and supported a republic. Members included Robespierre and Georges Danton

Girondists

Conservative/Moderate group in French Revolution in the late 18th century. They wanted a constitutional monarchy and fought for control of the National Convention in 1793.

The Mountain (Montagnards)

A radical political group during the French Revolution also called Montagnards. They sat on the highest benches in the Assembly. They were the most radical group and opposed the Girondists.

Sans-culottes

Radical left wing partisans made up of urban laborers and shopkeepers in 18th century Paris. They wanted a greater voice in the government, lower prices and end of food shortages. Sans-culottes means "without breeches" because they wore trousers, not the knee breeches of the aristocracy.

Napoleon Bonaparte

French military general and emperor between 1794-1815.

After many military victories, took control of France in order to stabilize France. Led the French during the ____ Wars. His achievements in office include the Code. Considered one of the most controversial leaders in world history. Was forced to abdicate and sent into exile twice.

Georges Danton

Leading figure in the early stages of the French Revolution and first president of the Committee of Public Safety. Supported the revolution, led the Mountain and part of the Jacobin group. Against the reign of terror and executed by Robespierre.

Jean Paul Marat

Wrote the Friend of the People paper in which he incited a lot of anger at the French monarchy. Murdered by the counterrevolutionary, Charlotte Corday.

His panic mongering allowed him to control who got executed.

Louis XVIII

Brother of Louis XIV and came to power when the Treaty of Paris was signed after the defeat of Napoleon. Restored the constitutional monarchy.

1755-1824

Abbe Sieyes

French clergy and political writer between 1748-1836.

He wrote "What is the Third Estate?" which helped transform the Estates General into the National Assembly.

The Estates General

A council of representatives from all three estates and social classes called to advise the monarchy. Called for the first time since 1614 under Louis XVI in response to the bread riots, instability, and political demands of 1789.

National Assembly

French congress established by representatives of the Third Estate on June 17, 1789 to enact laws and reforms in the name of the French People with the king still in power. Divided France into Revolutionary Departments.

Tennis Court Oath

In the French Revolution, when the Estates General became the National Assembly. The third estate would continue to meet and demanded a written constitution and popular sovereignty.

Storming of the Bastille

It marks the independence day of France. In 1789, a mob of sans-culottes stormed and gained control of one of the most recognizable buildings in France, This building served as a symbol of the oppression of the monarchy.

Declaration of the Rights of Man

1789 document enacted by the French National Assembly intended as the preamble to later constitution. It affirmed the sovereign authority of the nation but limited that authority by recognizing individual rights to life, property and security

March on Versailles

A march of women who wanted bread to be more affordable on October 5, 1789. Another example of unrest in revolution era France.

Legislative Assembly

The congress in France between 1791 - 1792. They created the laws but Louis XVI kept vetoing them, so they arrested him.

National Convention

1792-1795. Radical phase of the revolution which included Committee of Public Safety, Reign of Terror, and execution of the king. It also abolished the monarchy.

Committee of Public Safety

Committee led by Robespierre to act as the executive French government in 1793. Defended France against revolutionary enemies.

Reign of Terror

10 month period of oppression and executions between 1793-1794.

Organized by Robespierre and the radicals of the revolution.

Characterized by mass imprisonment and execution.

Ended with the fall of Robespierre.

De-christianization

An attempt to rid France of Christianity's leadership between 1789-1801. Adopted a new calendar and took "Saint" out of street names.

Thermidorian Reaction

A revolt within the French Revolution against the leadership of the Jacobin Club and the violence of the Reign of Terror. Ended the most radical phase of the French Revolution.

The Directory

The government of France during the penultimate stage of the French Revolution. The five directors exercised power, which included Napoleon Bonaparte. It operated following the National Convention and preceding the Consulate.

Napoleonic Code

French civil code in 1804 that reasserted the 1789 principles of equality. They made France legally and judicially uniform - assured legal equality; all French citizens had the same civil rights. Included news law of property, contracts, debts, leases, stock companies, and similar matters. Restricted women's political rights.

Concordat of 1801

An agreement between Napoleon and Pope Pius VII, signed on 15 July 1801. It solidified the Roman Catholic Church as the majority church of France and brought back most of its civil status.

Battle of Waterloo

Napoleon's last battle which took place after The Hundred Days. After this, Napoleon was exiled to the remote island of St. Helena in South Atlantic where he remained until the time of his death.

Civil Constitution of the Clergy

1790. Subordinated the Roman Catholic Church in France to the French government and confiscated the church's french land holdings, destroyed the monastic orders

Congress of Vienna

Led by Klemens von Metternich, a meeting between the major powers of Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Great Britain in Europe in 1814. Believed balance of power would prevent any one country from domination Europe. Also believed in principle of legitimacy. Managed to avoid conflict for 100 years.

Klemens von Metternich

1773-1859 was the foreign minister of Austria and the leader of the Congress of Vienna. He guided at Vienna by the Principle of Legitimacy and balance of power.