French Revolution

Flashcards for the french revolution unit test

Louis XVI

King of France during the French Revolution, he was executed by guillotine in 1793 for treason. Married to Queen Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette

Queen of France, known for her extravagant lifestyle and strong unpopularity. She was married to Louis XVI and met her end by guillotine in 1793.

Three Estates

The social classes in pre-revolutionary France, consisting of the First Estate (clergy), Second Estate (nobility), and Third Estate (commoners). The unequal representation and burdens faced by the Third Estate contributed to the outbreak of the French Revolution.

National Assembly

The revolutionary assembly formed by the representatives of the Third Estate in 1789, which aimed to draft a new constitution for France and represent the interests of commoners.

Bastille

A fortress in Paris that became a symbol of the tyranny of the Bourbon monarchy; its storming on July 14, 1789, marked the beginning of the French Revolution.

Tennis Court Oath

A pledge made by members of the Third Estate on June 20, 1789, to not disband until a new constitution was established for France, demonstrating their commitment to political reform. They met here after being locked out of a meeting with the Estates general.

Declaration of Rights of Man

This was assembled by mostly Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson. Was made to show that all men should have equal rights, but women were left out in that, so Olympe de Gouges didn’t like that.

Sans-Culottes

Meaning “Without breeches” These people wanted to be seen as regular patriots. They despised wealth among the nobility and upper estates.

Women’s March on Versailles

Many angry Parisian Women stormed the Bastille and wanted to meet with the King to speak about the unfairness. They marched for nearly 12 miles to the Bastille.

Influence of Enlightenment Thinkers

provided the core ideological framework that challenged the absolute monarchies and social hierarchies of France. Rousseau provided the change to political authority. Montesquieu also helped change the authorities by creating the separation of powers.

Constitution of 1791

This was France’s first written constitution. It officialy turned France from a absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.

National Convention

This was the first government of the French Republic. This abolished the absolute monarchy and made France a Republic

Robespierre

Radical French leader. He led the reign of terror after the death of Jean Paul Marat.

Reign of Terror

A wild and violent 10 month period of time in France, many people died, this was after the assasination of Sean Paul Marat

Guillotine

This was used to murder many people during the reign of Terror. It chopped off many peoples heads, including the King.

Committee of Public Safety

This committee organized the Reign of Terror, and they were led by Robespierre and they had 12 members.

Jean-Paul Marat

He was aggresively violent, and he helped fight back against the unfairness in the absolute monarchies. Murdered by Charlotte Corday

Charlotte Corday

She was apart of the Girondins and she murdered Jean Paul Marat to stop the violence, which ironically made the violence worse.

Olympe De Gouges

Felt discriminated against when the Declaration of Rights of Man were made because women were left out, so she wrote the Declaration of Rights of Man and Woman.

Marquis de Lafayette

French military leader who drafted the Declaration of Rights of Man alongside Thomas Jefferson. Also a commander for the National Guard.

The Directory

France’s five man executive government from 1795 to 1799 which ended the radical Reign of Terror. Paved the way for Napoleon Bonaparte.

America’s stance

America’s belief on their involvement in the French Revolution - They chose to be neutral

Napoleon’s Coup d’etat

This was when Napoleonn crowned himself as the one and only king of France.

Napoleonic Code

A code created by Napoleon to replace theMessy fragmented laws from before. Got rid of all confusing, fuedal laws, and made a government that made more sense to the people.

Napoleonic wars

A global series of major conflicts pitted between the First French Empire—led by Emperor Napoleon I—and shifting coalitions of European powers. These wars led to over 6 million deaths.

Nationalism

a political movement that asserts the nation should be congruent with the state. It means that a specific group of people should rule themselves in their own country without other nation interfering.

Continental system

a massive economic blockade and trade embargo against Great Britain during the Napoleonic Wars.

Congress of Vienna

A major international diplomatic conference held in Vienna, Austria, to reorganize Europe after the downfall of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

Napoleon’s Exile

Napoleon was sent to Elba but quickly escaped back. But in the battle of waterloo he lost again and was sentenced to ST Helena where he later died

Louis XVIII

King of France, who ruled after the death of Napoleon Bonaparte, from 1814-1824. Louis XVI’s younger brother.

Conservatism

a political and social philosophy that emphasizes the preservation of traditional institutions, customs, and values. Rather than relying on abstract theories or radical plans to remake society, it favors stability, gradual or "organic" change, and respect for established history and authority.

Liberalism

a political and moral philosophy centered on individual liberty, the rule of law, consent of the governed, and equality before the law

Principle of Intervention

A policy agreed upon by major European powers allowing great powers to send armies into other countries. This was used to put down revolutions, crush democratic movements, and restore original monarchs to their thrones.