French Revolution

First Estate

The clergy, comprising about 130,000 people, who owned 10% of land and were exempt from taxes.

Second Estate

The nobility, consisting of around 300,000 people, controlling 30% of land and holding powerful positions.

Third Estate

Everyone else in French society, including wealthy commoners, financiers, shopkeepers, and peasants.

Economic Situation in France (Pre-Revolution)

Poor harvests led to increased costs of living and a decline in consumer demand.

Financial Crisis

A situation in which nobility and clergy controlled 50% of France’s wealth, leading to governmental criticism by the peasants.

Maupeou (1770)

Finance minister who abolished parlements and initiated tax reforms.

Turgot (1776)

Finance minister who was fired after attempting to reform corvée and tax the nobility.

Necker (1783)

Finance minister who was dismissed after providing a misleading financial report.

Calonne (1786)

Finance minister who proposed a land tax but was removed after the Assembly of Notables refused the proposal.

Brienne (1788)

Finance minister who failed to implement a land tax, leading to the calling of the Estates General.

Estates General

A legislative assembly representing the three estates in France, called for the first time in 175 years on May 5, 1789.

Abbé Sieyès

Wrote the pamphlet 'What is the Third Estate?' arguing for the importance of the Third Estate in France.

Cahiers

Notebooks of grievances collected in spring 1789, where the Third Estate demanded reforms.

National Assembly

Formed on June 17, 1789, when the Third Estate declared itself a legislative body.

Tennis Court Oath

A vow taken on June 20, 1789, promising to write a constitution before leaving Versailles.

Storming of the Bastille

A symbolic attack on absolutism that occurred on July 14, 1789.

National Guard

Formed on July 15, 1789, and led by Lafayette in response to the Revolution.

The Great Fear

A period in late July 1789 where peasants attacked feudal estates.

Decrees of the National Constituent Assembly

Abolished feudalism in August 1789.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

Document inspired by Jefferson, proclaiming equality, natural rights, and national authority.

Civil Constitution of the Clergy

Enacted on July 12, 1790, taking church lands and making clergy state employees.

Bread March

An event on October 5-6, 1789, where women marched to force Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette to Paris.

France's Government Type (1791)

Became a constitutional monarchy with the creation of the Legislative Assembly.

Declaration of Pillnitz

An August 1791 declaration by Austria and Prussia threatening France if monarchy harmed.

Brunswick Manifesto

A July 25, 1792 threat by Austria to destroy Paris if the king was harmed.

Abolition of Monarchy

Occurred on September 21, 1792, when France declared itself a Republic.

Execution of Louis XVI

Happened on January 21, 1793; marked France's radicalization.

Counter-Revolution

Escalated into civil war in March 1793.

Reign of Terror Start Date

Officially began on September 5, 1793, with mass executions of counter-revolutionaries.

Committee of Public Safety

Established in April 1793, led by Robespierre to manage the war effort and pursue internal enemies.

Execution of Marie Antoinette

Executed on October 16, 1793 during the Reign of Terror.

De-Christianization Campaign

Initiated on November 10, 1793, aimed at outlawing the Catholic Church.

Danton's Execution Date

Executed on April 6, 1794 for being too moderate amidst radical turmoil.

Robespierre’s Cult of the Supreme Being

Established on May 7, 1794, presenting a new civic religion.

Radical journalist Jean-Paul Marat

Assassinated on July 13, 1793, a significant event in the rise of radicalism.

Girondists

Members arrested on June 2, 1793, marking the shift of power in the revolutionary government.

Sans-Culottes

Radical working-class supporters during the Revolution who played a key role in the power struggles.

Jacobin Club

Political club advocating for radical republicanism during the French Revolution.

Montagnards

More radical faction within the National Convention, often associated with the Jacobins.

Constitution of 1791

Established a constitutional monarchy in France and limited the powers of the king.

Louis XVI's Role in the Revolution

King of France during the Revolution who faced increasing opposition and was ultimately executed.

Marie Antoinette's Opposition

Symbol of royal excess that fueled revolutionary sentiment against the monarchy.

Civic Virtue

The notion that citizens should act in the interest of the common good, prevalent during the Revolution.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of the government is created by and subject to the will of the people.

Classes in French Society

Divided into three estates prior to the revolution, with significant social hierarchies.

Legacy of the French Revolution

Encouraged future democratic movements and challenged traditional authority across Europe.