French Revolution Vocab

Estate

When something is divided like France’s population was divided into three orders

First Estate

Consisted of the clergy, they owned 10% of land and are exempt from the taille

Second Estate

Consisted of nobility and aristocracy, they owned 25-30% of land they held the leading positions in government, military, law courts, and higher church offices. They are also exempt from the tallie

Third Estate

Commoners/peasants who were part of 75-80% that owned 35-40% of land, was divided on how educated you were, and most peasants had little to no land.

Tallie

Frances Chief Tax

Bourgeoisie

Middle Class another part of the third estate (8% of the population) were merchants, bankers, and industrialists

Louis XIV

Known as the "Sun King," he was the absolute monarch of France from 1643 to 1715. He is famous for expanding the Palace of Versailles and centralizing state power under his direct control.

Marie Antoinette

The last Queen of France before the French Revolution, known for her extravagant lifestyle and her execution by guillotine in 1793.

Estates General

A group composed of the three orders (Reprentatives from each estate)

National Assembly

A revolutionary assembly formed by the Third Estate in 1789 during the French Revolution, representing the common people and aiming to create a new constitution for France.

Tennis Court Oath

The oath they swore before producing the French constitution

National Assembly

A revolutionary assembly formed by the representatives of the Third Estate in 1789 to create a new constitution for France.

Olympe de Gouges

Woman who wrote plays and fought for the mans declaration to also include woman

Constitution of 1791

The new constitution that included legislation makes laws and there is still a king all male citizens had rights, but only some can vote.

Sans-culottes

ordinary patriots without fine clothing

National Convention

Drafted the new constitution and acted as a sovereign ruling body of France

Jacobins

a large network of political groups throughout France

Max Robespierre

Very important leader who advocated for suffrage (right to vote) Believe anyone who would not be governed by the general should be executed

Committee of Public Safety

A committee of twelve first dominated by Georges Danton and then by Max Robespierre

Bastille

A medieval fortress in Paris that served as an armory and a prison, famously stormed on July 14, 1789.

Reign of Terror

Revolutionary courts were set up to prosecute internal enemies of the revolutionary public

Napoleon

bought the French Revolution to the end in 1799. Was a lieutenant on the French military and overthrew the government. Helped make a new one called consulate. Crowned himself emperor Napoleon I