The World of Ideas: The French and Haitian Revolutions

Question-and-answer flashcards covering key concepts, terms, events, and figures from the notes on the French Revolution and the Haitian Revolution.

List the Estates Ranking from highest to lowest as given in the notes.

1) King; 2) Catholic Church/Clergy; 3) Nobility; 4) Commoners/Peasants.

What is the revolution's motto or core values as listed in the notes?

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity (freedom, equality, brotherhood).

What is the Ancien Regime?

The old order in France before the Revolution.

Who were King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette?

Louis XVI was the king and Marie Antoinette was his queen; central figures of the period.

What happened on June 20, 1789 at the tennis court?

The Tennis Court Oath, where the Third Estate vowed to stay together until a constitution was established.

What event occurred on July 14, 1789 that is celebrated as a French national holiday?

The Storming of the Bastille.

What does the term 'Year Zero' signify in the notes?

A turning point marking the start of a new era after the Revolution.

Who was Maximilien Robespierre and what role did he play?

A leader of the Jacobins who argued for defending the Revolution and pushing its aims forward.

What period is described as The Terror and Defense of the Revolution, and when did it take place?

September 1793 – July 1794.

What happened to the King and Marie Antoinette in January 1793?

They were executed.

What did 'Exporting the Revolution' entail according to the notes?

Attempting to spread the Revolution by invading other countries and imposing monarchies one at a time.

What is Napoleon's connection to the Revolution as described in the notes?

Napoleon’s era is linked to the legacy of the Revolution, including end of divine rights, destruction of the aristocracy, citizenship, and the slogan Liberty, Equality, Fraternity; also associated with France’s imperial reach.

What is the 'Days of Fire' in Cap-Français?

The 40 days of fire at Cap-Français (August 23, 1791) during the Haitian Revolution.

Who were Toussaint L’Ouverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines?

Two key leaders of the Haitian Revolution.

When did Toussaint L’Ouverture abolish slavery in the early phase of the Haitian Revolution?

1793.

Which country invaded Santo Domingo to prevent the slave revolt during the Haitian Revolution?

Britain.

What was the War of Knives?

A violent internal conflict within Saint Domingue involving rival factions during Toussaint’s leadership.

When did Haiti declare its independence?

1804.

What are the colors of the Haiti revolutionary flag?

Half blue and half red.

What is Ayiti, in the Haitian context?

The indigenous name for the island of Hispaniola used by the Taino and Arawakan people.

What does Mambo refer to in Haitian culture?

A female priest used in spiritual ceremonies and as a form of resistance.

What is Bois Caiman and its significance?

A gathering in August 1791 in the woods; four days later a plantation was burned, signaling intensification of resistance.