French Revolution History test

Explain how the slogan of the French Revolution and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen upheld similar principles and changed life in France.

the slogan of the French Revolution which was, Liberte, equalite, fraternite. Which transformed French society by dismantling feudal structures, advancing the concept of citizenship, and promoting the rule of law and human rights. They played a pivotal role in changing the course of French history and influencing democratic movements around the world.

Explain what the National Assembly attempted to do, and describe the major change that the Tennis Court Oath made from the Ancient Regime.

the National Assembly attempted to create a new constitution that would limit the king's power and represent the will of the people. The Tennis Court Oath represented a major break from the Ancient Régime by challenging the king's authority and establishing the principle of popular sovereignty, marking the beginning of a fundamental shift in France's political system

John Locke

his political theories had a lasting impact on the French Revolution, especially in regard to the revolutionaries' aspirations for a government that respected natural rights and provided greater political equality and liberty. Though Locke himself lived long before the revolution, his influence on the political thought of the time cannot be overstated.

Thomas Hobbes

he did not directly influence the French Revolution in the way that philosophers like John Locke or Jean-Jacques Rousseau did, but his ideas on the necessity of authority and order in times of crisis provided a philosophical backdrop to some of the more authoritarian and centralizing aspects of the revolution, particularly during its more radical phases

Montesquieu

his ideas played a significant yet somewhat indirect role in the French Revolution. His most influential work, The Spirit of the Laws (1748), introduced key political concepts that would resonate deeply with the revolutionaries, especially in terms of the structure of government and the prevention of tyranny

Voltaire

his influence on the French Revolution was primarily intellectual, though he did not directly participate in the events of 1789. As one of the leading figures of the Enlightenment, Voltaire's ideas on liberty, religious tolerance, and the critique of absolute power helped shape the revolutionary mindset in France. His strong opposition to the French monarchy, the church, and the aristocracy echoed in the revolutionaries' desire for social and political reform.

Napoleon

his role in the French Revolution is both complex and transformative. While he did not initiate the Revolution, Napoleon's rise to power and subsequent rule were deeply shaped by the events and ideas that emerged from it. The Revolution dismantled the old feudal and monarchical structures in France, and Napoleon capitalized on the chaos and power vacuum to rise from military leader to emperor.

Maximilien Robespierre

he was one of the most pivotal and controversial figures in the French Revolution. As a leader of the Jacobins and a key architect of the Reign of Terror, Robespierre embodied the revolution's ideals of virtue, equality, and the need to defend the revolution against its enemies. His commitment to radical democratic principles, social justice, and the elimination of corruption made him a symbol of revolutionary fervor.

Louis XVI

King Louis XVI played a central and tragic role in the French Revolution. As the monarch at the time the revolution began, Louis XVI's inability to effectively address France's political, social, and economic crises contributed significantly to the revolutionary movement. His failure to reform the monarchy, his indecisiveness, and his continued reliance on outdated policies made him a symbol of the old regime's ineptitude and injustice.

St. Julie Billiard

her role in the French Revolution is significant, though she was not directly involved in the political turmoil or violence of the period. As the founder of the Sisters of Notre-Dame de Namur, she remained committed to her religious mission of education and helping the poor, despite the upheaval caused by the Revolution.

Congress of Vienna

(1814-1815) was a crucial event in the aftermath of the French Revolution and its associated wars, which had radically reshaped Europe. The Congress aimed to restore order and stability to Europe after the chaos brought by Napoleon's conquests and the revolutionary upheaval. It marked an effort by the major European powers to undo the radical changes brought about by the revolution, particularly the spread of republican ideals, and to restore the traditional monarchies that had been toppled or weakened during this period.

The First Estate

clergy; all members of the church hierarchy, from bishops and cardinals to parish priests

The Second Estate

nobility; aristocrats and people with hereditary titles that held significant privileges and were often landowners

The Third Estate

largest group and included everyone else, from peasants and laborers to the middle class, such as merchants and professionals. They had the least power and the most burdens including taxes

Reign of Tower

(1793-1794) was a defining and controversial period of the French Revolution, marked by extreme violence and political repression. Led by Maximilien Robespierre and the radical Jacobins, its purpose was to protect the revolution from internal and external enemies, but it became infamous for its ruthless methods. Thousands of perceived counter-revolutionaries, including political opponents, former revolutionaries, and common citizens, were executed by guillotine, creating an atmosphere of fear and suspicion

Napoleonic wars and code

while Napoleon's reign and the Napoleonic Wars marked a departure from the revolutionary goals of democracy and republicanism, his legacy includes the spread of revolutionary principles through the Napoleonic Code and the redrawing of Europe's political boundaries. The Napoleonic Wars and the Code were significant in solidifying and extending some of the core ideals of the French Revolution, even as Napoleon's own authoritarian rule signaled a departure from the revolution's initial vision for a more democratic France.

causes of the French Revolution

the causes of the French Revolution were deeply interconnected: social inequality, economic hardship, weak leadership, Enlightenment ideas, and political discontent. These factors created an environment where revolution was not only desired but also seen as a necessary step for France's future. The Revolution would ultimately change the course of French history, ending the monarchy and leading to the rise of new political structures.

Popular Sovereignty

helped dismantle the old regime and played a key role in the creation of the modern French Republic. However, the application of this principle was complex and often contradictory, as different factions of the revolution had competing visions of what the people's will should be and how it should be expressed

Social Contract

helped shape the intellectual and political landscape of the French Revolution. His ideas about popular sovereignty, equality, and the role of the general will directly influenced revolutionary ideals and helped propel the transformation from monarchy to the establishment of the First French Republic

timeline

May 1789: Estates-General Meeting

June 1789: Third Estate > National Assembly

July 14, 1789: Bastille Day

August, 1789: Declaration of the Rights of Man: Nobles sign away privileges

September 1791 > Constitution of 1791

September 1792 > National Convention > More radical constitution

January 1793 > King Louis XVI execution

September 1793 - July 1794: Reign of Terror

1795 - Constitution 1795 > 5-man directory

1799 - return to monarchy/3-man consulate

tax collectors

the "bloodsuckers of the nation who drink the tears of the unfortunate from goblets of gold"

noble courts

"vampires pumping the last drop of blood" from the people

Bastille

a symbol of tyranny, inequality, injustice of the old order

Storming the Bastille

- July 14, 1789

- 800 Parisians outside the city's political prison

- guards fire upon the crowd

- crowd quickly overwhelms and frees the prisoners inside

- guards promptly executed

- few weapons found inside

The National Assembly

- August 4, 1789

- nobles in National Assembly voted to end their privileges

- end of special privilege

- nobles gave up what they were already in the process of losing

- August 4 brought equality in the law to all citizens

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen:

A document adopted by the National Assembly in August 1789, proclaiming the rights of individuals and the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. This declaration was inspired by Enlightenment ideas and laid the foundation for modern human rights and constitutional law in France.

Jacobins

A radical political group that played a leading role in the French Revolution, particularly during the Reign of Terror. They were led by figures like Maximilien Robespierre.

Marie Antoinette

The Queen of France, wife of Louis XVI. She was criticized for her lavish lifestyle and was executed alongside her husband in 1793.

Committee of Public Safety

A body created in 1793 to protect the Revolution from foreign enemies and internal threats. It oversaw the Reign of Terror and was headed by Robespierre. The Committee, led by Robespierre, effectively governed France during the Reign of Terror, implementing policies aimed at rooting out enemies of the revolution.

Sans-culottes

They played a central role in pushing the revolution toward more radical measures, including the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of the Republic. They were heavily involved in street protests, the September Massacres, and the rise of the Jacobins.

The Great Fear

A period of panic and riot that spread through France in 1789, driven by rumors of an aristocratic conspiracy to suppress the Revolution. This led to widespread peasant uprisings

Constitution of 1791

A constitution that established a constitutional monarchy in France, limiting the power of the king and creating a legislative assembly. It limited the powers of the king, created a legislative assembly, and aimed to balance monarchy with representative government.However, it was short-lived due to the king's failure to comply

Directory

The executive government of France from 1795 to 1799, following the fall of Robespierre and the end of the Reign of Terror. It was made up of five directors. The Directory was characterized by corruption, instability, and military failures, leading to its eventual downfall and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Feudalism

A system of social, economic, and political organization that existed in France before the Revolution, in which peasants worked land owned by nobles in exchange for protection and other services

Marquis de Lafayette

helped especially in organizing the National Guard and supporting the constitutional monarchy. He helped draft the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. However, his support for a constitutional monarchy led to a rift with more radical revolutionaries, and he eventually went into exile.

Jacques Necker

attempts to reform the French economy contributed to the financial crisis that led to the revolution. Although initially popular, he was dismissed by Louis XVI in 1789, leading to protests. His dismissal played a part in the events that led to the storming of the Bastille.

Tennis Court Oath

A pledge taken in 1789 by the members of the Third Estate, vowing not to separate until they had created a new constitution for France. The oath was a turning point in the revolution, as it marked the Third Estate's defiance against the monarchy and the beginning of the movement for a constitutional government.

Vive la Révolution!

A revolutionary slogan meaning "Long live the Revolution!" This phrase symbolized the passion and the popular support for the revolutionary cause, rallying people to support the radical changes happening in France.

Guillotine

A device used for executing people by beheading

The National Convention

A revolutionary assembly that abolished the monarchy in 1792 and declared France a republic

Social Division

A societal split based on economic or cultural factors.

Social Division

A societal split based on economic or cultural factors, which can manifest in various forms such as class distinctions, cultural segregation, and ethnic conflicts. These divisions can lead to unequal access to resources and opportunities, impacting social cohesion and political stability within a society. In the context of the French Revolution, social division was particularly evident in the stark contrasts between the three estates, where the Third Estate bore the burden of taxation while holding little political power, fueling discontent and ultimately contributing to the revolutionary fervor.

Radical Revolutionary

A member of a political faction during the French Revolution that sought extreme changes, advocating for the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic.

1791 Constitution

The first written constitution of France, establishing a constitutional monarchy and outlining the separation of powers.

1795 Constitution

The constitution that replaced the 1791 Constitution, establishing the Directory as the governing body of France and further defining the structure of the government.

Explain how the slogan of the French Revolution and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen upheld similar principles and changed life in France. 

The slogan of the French Revolution, "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity," embodied the ideals of freedom and equality that were central to the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Both aimed to dismantle the feudal system and promote individual rights, significantly altering the social and political landscape of France.

Explain what the National Assembly attempted to do, and describe the major change that the Tennis Court Oath made from the Ancien Regime. 

The National Assembly aimed to represent the common people and create a new constitution, asserting their rights against the monarchy. The Tennis Court Oath marked a pivotal shift by pledging not to disband until a new constitution was established, challenging the authority of the Ancien Regime.

Congress of Vienna

A meeting of European powers in 1814-1815 aimed at restoring order and stability after the Napoleonic Wars, redrawing national boundaries, and establishing a balance of power.

Differences between the three estates. The population of them and their privileges

The three estates in France were the First Estate (clergy), Second Estate (nobility), and Third Estate (commoners). The First and Second Estates held significant privileges, including tax exemptions, while the Third Estate comprised the majority of the population and bore the burden of taxation.

Napoleonic wars and Code

The series of conflicts involving Napoleon Bonaparte's French Empire and various European coalitions, leading to significant political and territorial changes, alongside the Napoleonic Code, which established civil laws and reformed the legal system in France.

Popular Sovereignty and social contract

The principle that government derives its authority from the consent of the governed, emphasizing the idea that political power resides with the people, often linked to the philosophies of Rousseau and Locke.