Domestic Laws and French History Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering the concepts of Absolutism, the Enlightenment, the Three Estates, and the progression of the French Government from the monarchy through the Napoleonic era.

Absolutism

A political system where the monarch or King has absolute power over every person in the Kingdom.

Divine Right

The belief that the King is chosen by God and receives absolute authority, meaning whatever the King says goes.

Louis XIV

The "Sun King" who ruled from $1643-1715$ and is considered the best example of absolutism in Europe; he was both a religious and political leader who stated, "I am the state!"

Peter the Great

An absolutist ruler who modernized Russia, established it as an important European power, and added St. Petersburg.

The Enlightenment

A movement during the $17-18th$ Century that stressed reason, logic, criticism, and freedom of thought over blind faith and superstition.

Jean Rousseau

Enlightenment philosopher ($1712-1778$) who wrote "The Social Contract" and believed democracy under the rule of law was best for general welfare and freedom.

Thomas Hobbes

Enlightenment philosopher ($1588-1679$) who wrote "Leviathan," developed Social Contract theory, and supported strong government through absolute monarchies.

John Locke

Enlightenment philosopher ($1652-1704$) who wrote "Two Treatises of Gov," believed in life, liberty, and property, and initiated concepts like checks and balances and the rule of law.

Montesquieu

Enlightenment philosopher ($1689-1755$) known for "The Spirit of the Laws" and introducing the idea of separation of powers.

1st Estate

The class consisting of the Clergy, making up $1\%$ of the population in the French social hierarchy.

2nd Estate

The class consisting of Nobles, making up $2\%$ of the population.

3rd Estate

The majority class ($97\%$ total, divided into Bourgeoisie, City Workers, and Peasants) where Peasants alone made up $80\%$ of the population; they had little rights and paid half their income on taxes.

Consulate

The period from $1799-1804$ during which Napoleon took control, created the Napoleonic Code, and made peace with the Pope.

Napoleonic Empire

The period from $1804-1815$ where Napoleon crowned himself Emperor and waged war on Europe until his defeat at Waterloo.

Congress of Vienna

A meeting that reestablished the balance of power in Europe after $1815$ and restored Louis XVIII to the throne.

Louis XVI

The absolute monarch of France up to $1789$ who incurred major debt, heavily taxed the 3rd Estate, and was eventually executed during the radical turn of the revolution.

National Assembly

A body formed by the 3rd Estate that wrote a constitution and stripped privileges from the 1st and 2nd estates.

Reign of Terror

A radical phase of the French Revolution led by Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety that killed any opposition.

Democratic Despotism

A term describing the National Convention and the Directory ($1792-1799$) where elected leaders acted like dictators.