APEURO UNIT 5 The French Revolution

Marie Antoinette

The last Queen of France before the French Revolution, known for her extravagant lifestyle and controversial reputation, particularly for her perceived indifference to the struggles of the French people; wife of Luis XVI

Estates General

A general assembly representing the French estates of the realm (Clergy (First), Aristocracy (Second), and o rdinary people (Third)), summoned by King Louis XVI in 1789 to address the financial crisis and reform the tax system.

cahier

A collection of grievances compiled by the three estates in France, presented to the Estates General in 1789 following Louis XIV’s calling of it

Tennis Court Oath

A pledge made by delegates of the Third Estate in France on June 20, 1789, to not disband until they had constructed a nation of individual citizens instead of servile subjects

National Assembly

The revolutionary assembly formed by the representatives of the Third Estate in France in 1789 following the Tennis Court Oath, marking the start of a shift towards a more democratic government and the end of absolute monarchy.

August 4, 1789

The date when the National Assembly, as terrified aristocrats surrendered their privileges as feudal lords, abolished feudalism in France, eliminating the privileges of the nobility and clergy.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

A fundamental document of the French Revolution that outlines individual and collective rights, establishing the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, adopted by the National Assembly on August 26, 1789; INCLUDED freedom of religion

Women’s March on Versailles

A 1789 protest led by women in Paris who marched to Versailles to demand bread and the return of King Louis XVI and his family to Paris, highlighting the economic crisis and the desire for change.

The Civil Constitution of the Clergy

A 1790 law passed during the French Revolution that reorganized the Catholic Church in France, bringing it under state control, and requiring clergy to swear an oath of loyalty to the government; confiscated church property and mandated the election of priests by their partitioners

Jacobin Club

A political club during the French Revolution that became known for its radical views and significant influence in the National Assembly, advocating for the rights of the lower classes and the establishment of a republic; the most radical

Olympe de Gouges

A French playwright and political activist best known for her work "Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen." She challenged the gender inequalities of her time and advocated for women's rights during the French Revolution.

Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen

A document published in 1791 by Olympe de Gouges that asserted the equal rights of women, paralleling the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, and emphasized that women should have the same rights as men in all aspects of society.

National Convention

The governing body that established the First French Republic in 1792, tasked with drafting a new constitution and overseeing the execution of the war against foreign monarchies.

Maximilien Robespierre

A leading figure of the French Revolution, he was a key architect of the Reign of Terror and head of the Committee of Public Safety, advocating for the elimination of perceived enemies of the revolution; led the Jacobins

Reign of Virtue

A period during the French Revolution characterized by Maximilien Robespierre's attempts to create a more just society by enforcing moral standards and virtue, often through radical means and severe punishment of dissent.

guillotine

A device used for carrying out executions by beheading, it became a symbol of the Reign of Terror and was seen as a humane, enlightened method of execution during the French Revolution.

Committee of Public Safety

The executive government during the French Revolution, responsible for overseeing the Reign of Terror and protecting the revolution from perceived internal and external threats.

The Terror

A period during the French Revolution marked by widespread violence, political purges, and mass executions of perceived enemies of the revolution.

Directory

The more conservative government of France from 1795 to 1799, characterized by a five-member board that replaced the National Convention and attempted to establish stability after the chaos of the Revolution.

Haitian Revolution

A successful anti-slavery and anti-colonial insurrection that took place in the French colony of Saint-Domingue from 1791 to 1804, leading to the establishment of Haiti as the first independent black-led republic; inspired by the French Revolution

Edmund Burke

An Irish statesman and political theorist known for his criticism of the French Revolution, advocating for gradual reform rather than radical change. He argued that tradition and established institutions should be preserved. Lunched Conservatism

Mary Wollstonecraft

An early advocate for women's rights and author of "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman." She argued for women's education and equality in her writings, emphasizing the importance of women's participation in society.

A Vindication of the Rights of Woman

A foundational text in feminist philosophy, written by Marry Wollstonecraft, that argues for the education and rights of women, promoting gender equality.

Napoleon Bonaparte

A military leader and emperor of France whose actions shaped European politics in the early 19th century. He rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led several military campaigns, establishing a vast empire before his eventual defeat.

Egyptian Campaign

A military expedition led by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1798 aimed at disrupting British trade routes and establishing French influence in the Middle East.

First Consul

The title held by Napoleon Bonaparte after the establishment of the Consulate in 1799 following his overthrow of the Directory, effectively making him the leader of France. He wielded significant power and enacted numerous reforms.

Concordat of 1801

An agreement between Napoleon and the Papacy that reestablished the Roman Catholic Church in France and resolved issues of church-state relations after the Revolution, fostering religious peace.

Plebiscite

A direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal, often related to constitutional changes or government leadership, used by Napoleon to legitimize his rule.

Consul for Life

A title bestowed upon Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, following a constitutional amendment that allowed him to serve indefinitely as ruler of France, consolidating his power and authority.

Emperor

The title given to Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804 when he declared himself ruler of the French Empire, marking the establishment of a monarchy and further centralization of authority.

Virtu

the sacrifice of personal interest for the good of the republic

Napoleonic Code

A set of civil laws established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804, which standardized legal systems in France and influenced many legal codes worldwide; standardized the laws of citizenship, family, and property; restricted the rights of women

Lycees

Were secondary schools established by Napoleon in 1802 to prepare students for government and military service, promoting secular education.

Germaine de Stael

a French writer and intellectual who criticized Napoleon's policies and advocated for freedom of expression and political pluralism during the French Revolution.

Battle of Austerlitz

Fought on December 2, 1805, this was a significant military engagement during the Napoleonic Wars, where Napoleon's forces achieved a decisive victory against the Russian and Austrian armies; ended the Holy Roman Empire

Jacques-Louis David

a prominent French painter known for his neoclassical style and political themes, including depictions of the French Revolution. His works include 'The Death of Socrates' and 'Napoleon Crossing the Alps.' He often depicted triumphant moments in Napoleon’s career.

Francisco Goya

a Spanish painter and printmaker who depicted the French Revolution/Napoleon’s rule as a reign of terror

Battle of Leipzig

a major battle fought from October 16 to 19, 1813, this engagement involved a coalition of Russian, Prussian, Austrian, and Swedish forces defeating Napoleon, marking a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars.

Elba

an island in the Mediterranean Sea where Napoleon was exiled after his first abdication in 1814. This location played a crucial role in his return to power during the Hundred Days.

Battle of Waterloo

the battle fought on June 18, 1815, where Napoleon was defeated by the Seventh Coalition, leading to his final exile and marking the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

sans-culottes

members of the radical Parisian working class who played a significant role in the French Revolution, advocating for popular democracy and more egalitarian policies.

Storming of the Bastille

A major event on July 14, 1789, when revolutionaries (sans culottes) stormed the Bastille prison in Paris, symbolizing the uprising against tyranny and the beginning of the French Revolution.

Liberal Phase

the period during the French Revolution (1789-1792) characterized by the establishment of constitutional government, the declaration of rights, and significant political reforms.

Marquis de Lafayette

A key figure in the French Revolution, he was a military officer and a leader of the National Guard. Lafayette championed the principles of liberty and was influential in both the American and French Revolutions.

Era of Liberty

the Jacobins reordered time by declaring that year 1 was no longer the year of Christ’s birth, but rather 1792; sparked this era

Louis XVI

King of France during the French Revolution, known for his indecisiveness and inability to address the financial crises that led to the revolution. He was executed in 1793, marking a pivotal moment in the revolution.

Joseph de Maistre

A French philosopher and diplomat, he is known for his counter-revolutionary views and strong criticism of the Enlightenment, advocating for traditionalism and monarchy.

Toussaint L’Ouverture

A leader of the Haitian Revolution, he played a crucial role in the fight against French colonial rule and is celebrated for his leadership in establishing the first independent Black-led republic.

Jean-Jaques Dessalines

A leader in the Haitian Revolution who succeeded Toussaint L’Ouverture and declared Haiti's independence from France in 1804, becoming the first ruler of independent Haiti.

bureaucracy

created by Napoleon to consolidate power; appointments were merit-based

Joseph Fouche

A French politician and minister of police under Napoleon, known for his role in establishing a surveillance state and maintaining order during the tumultuous times of the French Revolution.

Napoleonic Wars

A series of conflicts involving Napoleon's French Empire against various coalitions in Europe, lasting from 1803 to 1815; Napoleon claimed that he undertook these wars to spread revolutionary ideas

Continental System

A foreign policy initiated by Napoleon to weaken Britain economically by prohibiting European nations from trading with them.

nationalism

A political ideology that emphasizes the interests, culture, and identity of a specific nation, often leading to the desire for national independence or unification; results from the Napoleonic Wars, as citizens of other nations start feeling loyal to their own nation in contrast to France

scorched earth policy

A military strategy aimed at destroying anything that could be useful to the enemy while advancing through or retreating from a territory, used notably by Russian forces against Napoleon.

Louis XVIII

the replacement for Napoleon who he sought to overthrow during the Hundred Days

the Hundred Days

The period between Napoleon's return from exile on March 20, 1815, and the second restoration of Louis XVIII on June 28, 1815, marked by Napoleon's brief resurgence in power.