French revolution study guide

What was the Old Order?

the ancien regime was a politcal system in France characterized by an absolute monarchy and a rigid hierarchical society divided into the three estates.

what was the French financial crisis?

Exessive royal spending, costly wars and unjust tax system that heavily burdened the third estate while exempting the privileged first and second estate.

What was the tennis court oath?

they swore an oath not to separate until a new french constitution was established, asserting their political power and defiance against the monarch

Storming of the Bastille

on July 14th 1789 a Parisian mob attacked and sized the Bastille, a royal fortress and prison that symbolize the monarchy’s tyranny. 

What was the woman’s march?

A group of 6,000 of the strongest Parisian women marched to the Palace of Versailles which was fuled by the bread shortages and anger at the monarchy. The woman yelled “bread” and wanted King Louis XV to move to Paris

What was the Declaration of the Rights of Man?

It was a foundational document of the French Revolution, adopted by the National Assembly in 1789 and proclaimed that all men are born and remain free and equal rights. It was modeled after the U.S declaration of Independence

Why was the Church placed under state control during the french revolution?

Because it was a powerful pillar of the old regime and was seen as an obstacle to the new revolutionary ideal of reason and national soverignty.

Why did Louis XVI’s escape fail?

King Louis and Marie Antoniette failed to flee France because they were caught by servants and forced to come back to Paris.

What were the threats from Abroad?

France faced external threats from European monarchies who feared the spread of revolutionary Ideas. Many major threats came from Austria and Prussia and Great Britian.

When did the Radicals take control during the French Revolution?

August-sept 1792 the radicals took control which lead to the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of the First French Republic.

What was the reign of Terror?

It was a period of extreme violence and mass executions during the French revolution. Led by the Committee of Public Safety and Maximilien Robespierre the government executed tens of thousands of people suspected of being enemies of the revolution.

What was the 5 man directory

It was a five member executive government that ruled France from October 1795 to November to 1799 during the French Revolution. It was supposed to provide a stable and moderate government but was plagued by corruption.

What was Napoleons Early life like?

at the age of 9 he was sent to France to be trained in military Career. When the revolution broke out he was a 20 year old lieutenant.

What were Napoleons Victories

He drove British Forces out of French port of Toulon then went on to win important victories against the Austrians and capturing most of norther Ity and forcing Hapsburg emperor to make peace.

How did Napoleon became “Hero of the Hour”

In 1795 he used artillery to defend the French National Convention against a royalist uprising in Paris. he saved the revolutionary government and lead to his acclaim and marked his rise to political power

Why did Napoleon returns home

Napoleon returned home for two important reasons, one to sieze power from a colapsing french government and 2, reclaim his emperorship after escaping exile on Elba in 1815. Only to be exiled again 100 days after retaking the throne.

what were Napoleon’s accomplishments and Decisions as statesman?

He established the Napoleonic Code which was a unified legal system. created a lasting administrative and educational reforms such as the Bank of France and the Lycee school system as well as the Concordat of 1801.

What was the continental system and how did it fail napoleon?

The continental system was a trade blockade against the British and was an attempt to gain control of Britian. It waged economic was and failed because it ended up hurting France and Napoleons Allies more than UK

What was the Penninsular war and how did it fail napoleon?

Portugal denied the continental system however the Spanish did not allow France to pass through which trigged the penninsular war and led to the creation of Guerilla Warfare

What was the Invasion of Russia and how did it fail napoleon?

Russia withdrew from the continental system to trade with the UK. Napoleon thought that the Invasion was the solution however it was the final nail in napoleons coffin. Russian soilders followed the scorched earth policy and disease, starvation and desertion plagued napoleon and his troops. 250,000 men died in 15 hrs and there were 70,000 causalties. 3/4th of moscow was burnt on purpose.

Who were the 5 great powers?

France, Prussia, Russia, Austria and Britain

What were Metternich’s Goals?

1) he wanted to prevent future French agression 2) restore balance of power 3)restore europes royal families to their pre-napoleon thrones.

What were European concerns

1) didn’t want to go to far 2) didn’t want to encourage French revenge 3) didn’t want another country to come to power?