AP Euro - French Revolution!

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Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen.

All men are born free and equal in rights, focusing on liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression. Allowed sovereignty to shift from the monarchy to the people.

Civil Constitution of the Clergy.

Purpose was to democratize church governance, reduce the power of traditional institutions, and align with Enlightenment ideals of secularism and state sovereignty. Key parts: Abolished tithes, bishops and priests became elected officials, number of dioceses reduced to 83, clergy were paid by the state, monastic orders were abolished.

Constitution of 1791.

Established France as a Constitutional Monarchy, limiting King Louis XVI’s power under the new Legislative Assembly.

George Danton.

First head of the Committee of Public Safety.

Jean-Paul Marat.

Radical newspaper author, known for being the leader of the Jacobins, advocated for very extreme measures like the September massacre.

Committee of Public Safety.

A powerful 12 man executive body formed during the radical phase of the French Revolution. It was created to defend the New Republic from internal and external threats.

Robespierre.

Head of the CPS during the Reign of Terror when he executed anyone he suspected to be an enemy of the Revolution.

Civil Code.

The Napoleonic Code which unified the French law system, abolished feudalism, equality for all MALE citizens under the law, religious tolerance, and property rights. Also it restricted women’s rights.

Concordat of 1801.

A crucial agreement between Napoleon and Pope Pius VII, reconciling the French state with the Catholic Church, recognizing Catholicism as the main religion in France, thereby stabilizing France and consolidating Napoleon’s power.

Censorship.

Napoleon heavily censored the press during his reign.

Limitation of women’s rights.

Women were excluded from voting, holding office, and joining the military.

July Revolution.

A popular uprising that overthrew the conservative Bourbon King Charles X.

Louis XIV’s wars.

A series expansionist conflicts aimed at securing France’s “natural borders”.

Napoleon.

A pivotal figure who rose from the French Revolution to become Emperor, spreading revolutionary ideals through military conquest, but also established authoritarian rule.

Napoleon III.

Final emperor of France, known for authoritarian rule, rapid economic modernization, and rebuilding Paris.