The Enlightenment, The French Revolution, and Napoleon

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the French Revolution, including political figures, events, and ideologies that shaped this historical period.

Ancien Régime

The social and political order in France before the French Revolution, characterized by the monarchy and three social estates.

Three Estates

The three social classes in France: the First Estate (clergy), the Second Estate (nobility), and the Third Estate (commoners).

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority.

Louis XVI

The King of France during the French Revolution, known for his inability to manage the financial crisis.

Estates General

An assembly representing the three estates of France, called by the king to address the country's financial problems.

National Assembly

The assembly formed by the representatives of the Third Estate, claiming to represent the people of France.

Tennis Court Oath

A vow made by members of the Third Estate not to disband until a new constitution was established for France.

Abbé Sieyes

A clergyman who authored the pamphlet 'What is the Third Estate?' advocating for the rights of the commoners.

The Great Fear

A period of panic and riot by peasants amid rumors of the aristocracy's plans to suppress the revolution.

Bastille

A fortress in Paris that became a symbol of the tyranny of the Bourbon monarchy; stormed on July 14, 1789.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

A fundamental document of the French Revolution asserting the rights and liberties of individuals.

Girondins

A moderate political faction during the French Revolution that opposed extreme measures.

Jacobins

A radical political faction during the French Revolution that supported the overthrow of the monarchy.

Feudalism

The social system in medieval Europe in which people worked and fought for nobles in exchange for land and protection.

Reign of Terror

A period during the French Revolution characterized by mass executions of perceived enemies of the revolution.

Guillotine

A device used for carrying out executions by beheading; became a symbol of the Reign of Terror.

Napoleon Bonaparte

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

Continental System

Napoleon's strategy aimed at crippling Britain's economy by closing European ports to British goods.

Peninsular War

A military conflict between Spain, Portugal, and Britain against Napoleon's rule in the Iberian Peninsula.

Battle of Waterloo

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

Congress of Vienna

A conference of European nations held in 1814-1815 to restore order after the Napoleonic Wars.

Napoleonic Code

A civil code established by Napoleon that influenced many legal systems around the world.

Terror of the Night

Refers to the fear and paranoia during the Reign of Terror, when many were executed for suspected disloyalty.

Consulate

The government established in France after the coup of Napoleon in 1799, replacing the Directory.

Massacre

The murder of a large number of people, often in a violent manner; refers to events during the revolution.

Radical

A person who advocates for fundamental or extreme changes in current practices or institutions.

Moderate

A person or group advocating for gradual change rather than drastic or revolutionary change.

Civil Constitution of the Clergy

A law passed in July 1790, reorganizing the Roman Catholic Church in France and making clergy state employees.

Counter-revolution

Efforts and movements aimed at the reversal of revolutionary changes, supporting the old order.

Sovereignty

The supreme authority within a territory; the concept of popular sovereignty was central to the revolution.

Citizen

A legally recognized subject or national of a state or commonwealth; an inhabitant of a city.

Oath

A solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future action or behavior.

Uprising

An act of resistance or rebellion against an established authority or government.

Radical Republicans

A faction during the French Revolution advocating for extreme measures against monarchists and conservatives.

Feudal obligations

Duties that peasants owed to their lords, including labor and payments, which were abolished during the revolution.

Radicalization

The process by which a person or group comes to adopt extreme political or social views.

Seditious

Inciting or causing people to rebel against the authority of a state or monarch.

Republicanism

An ideology centered on the rejection of monarchy in favor of a government based on elected representatives.

Nationalism

A political ideology emphasizing the interests and culture of a particular nation, often in opposition to foreign influence.

Legislative Assembly

The governing body in France after the National Assembly, responsible for creating laws.

Liberalism

A political philosophy advocating for civil liberties, political freedom, and the protection of individual rights.

Jacobin Club

A political club during the French Revolution known for its radical ideas and support for the revolution.

Dictatorship

A form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in a dictator or a small group.

Mass mobilization

The act of bringing a large number of people together for political participation, often for revolution.

Coup d'état

A sudden and decisive action in politics, often involving the overthrow of a government.

State of emergency

A situation in which a government is empowered to take extraordinary measures during crises.

Tyranny

Cruel or oppressive government rule, often characterized by the concentration of power.

Rallying cry

A phrase or slogan used to inspire and galvanize people, especially during a political movement.

Counter-insurgency

Military or political activities aimed at defeating insurgents or revolutionaries.

Enlightenment

A philosophical movement that emphasized reason, science, and individual rights, influencing revolutionary ideas.

Surveillance state

A government that closely observes or monitors its citizens, especially for political purposes.