Modern European History: French Revolution and Atlantic Revolutions Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards focusing on fundamental concepts, conflict treaties, social hierarchy terms, and key historical periods surrounding the origins and events of the French Revolution.

Atlantic Revolutions

A series of revolutions in the Americas and Europe during the late 18th and early 19th centuries that created several new nations and caused the collapse of European empires in the Western Hemisphere.

French Revolution

A period from 1789 to 1799 of major political, social, and economic upheaval in France that dismantled the absolute monarchy of King Louis XVI, established the First French Republic, and ended with Napoleon Bonaparte seizing power.

Popular Sovereignty

The political principle that legitimate governing power originates directly from the people.

War of the Spanish Succession

A conflict fought from 1701 to 1713 triggered by King Philip V claiming the Spanish throne, leading a Grand Alliance of European nations to fight France over fears of French expansion and an imbalance of power.

Grand Alliance

A coalition formed against France in the War of the Spanish Succession, consisting of Austria, The Dutch Republic, Great Britain, The Holy Roman Empire, Portugal, and The Duchy of Savoy-Piedmont.

Treaty of Utrecht

The 1713 peace agreement concluding the War of the Spanish Succession in which France lost European dominance, ceded territories in the Americas, Spanish Netherlands, Gibraltar, and Minorca, doubled Britain's maritime trade, and relinquished claims to the Spanish throne.

Seven Years' War

A global conflict spanning from 1756 to 1763 (known in the US as the French and Indian War) that resulted in France losing nearly all of its North American territories to Great Britain.

Ancien Régime

The 'Old Order' social and political structure of pre-revolutionary France, characterized by absolute monarchy and a rigid hierarchy divided into Three Estates.

First Estate

The social class in pre-revolutionary France consisting of the Roman Catholic Clergy, representing less than 1% of the total population.

Second Estate

The privileged social class in pre-revolutionary France consisting of the Nobility, representing approximately 2% of the population.

Third Estate

The social class making up 97% of France's population in 1787—encompassing the middle class (Bourgeoisie), commoners, peasants, and the poor—who paid all government taxes while holding little to no power.

Bourgeoisie

The educated middle-class subgroup within the Third Estate of pre-revolutionary France.

Reign of Terror

The radical period of the French Revolution (1792–1794) during which France operated as a Republic under the National Convention and Robespierre.