French Revolution

Ancien Regime

The traditional political and social order in Europe before the French Revolution (estates general, monarchy)

Enlightenment

a movement that emphasized science and reason as guides to help see the world more clearly, a more logical approach to life rather than religious theories.

Estates General

France's traditional national assembly with representatives of the three estates, or classes, in French society: the clergy(1), nobility(2), and commoners(3). The calling of the Estates General in 1789 led to the French Revolution(tennis court oath).

Louis XVI

King of France (r.1774-1792 CE). In 1789 he summoned the Estates-General, but he did not grant the reforms that were demanded and revolution followed. Him and his queen, Marie Antoinette, were executed in 1793.

Marie Antionette

married Louis XVI and was the Queen of France during the Reign of Terror. The pair tried to escape France in June 1791, during the Woman's march on Versailles, but were caught, arrested and brought back to Paris. They were then forced to live among the people who hated them most: the poor city folk whose hatred for her was fueled by the Queen's lavish lifestyle during the time they were starving. She was later convicted of treason and executed.

Cahiers de Doleances

statements of local grievances drafted throughout France during the elections to the Estates-General, advocating a regular constitutional government abolishing fiscal privileges of the church and nobility

The National Assemble

Delegated from the common people that separated them-selfs from the estates general and formed their own ruling body

Tennis Court Oath

A pledge made by the members of France's National Assembly in 1789, in which they vowed to continue meeting until they had drawn up a new constitution

Bastille

fortress in Paris used as a prison; French Revolution began when Parisians stormed it in 1789

"law of the lamppost"

Revolutionaries would gather here and plot the next move in the revolution. Rule of the street.

Marquis de Lafayette

French soldier who joined General Washington's staff and became a general in the Continental Army. He also was part of the revolution and aided in ensuring the King was safe during the entire thing up to his execution.

Declaration of the Rights of Man

French Revolution document that outlined what the National Assembly considered to be the natural rights of all people and the rights that they possessed as citizens

Declaration of Pillnitz

A statement agreed upon by Leopold II and Fredrick William II to intervene if Louis XVI was threatened by revolution, essentially a threat of war on France if the King was executed.

Maximilian Robespierre

Leader of the Committee of Public Safety. One of the most influential figures of the French Revolution; instrumental in the period of the French Revolution known as the Reign of Terror, was eventually arrested and executed.

Jean Paul Marat

French revolutionary leader (born in Switzerland) who was a leader in overthrowing the Girondists and was stabbed to death in his bath by Charlotte Corday (1743-1793) He had a revolutionist news paper that was influential of the people. Seen as a godly figure.

Jacques Necker

financial expert of Louis XVI, he advised Louis to reduce court spending, reform his government, abolish tarriffs on internal trade, but the First and Second Estates got him fired

Tri-Colour

The flag of the revolution, the current flag of France.

Guillotine

A machine for beheading people, used as a means of execution during the French Revolution. Invented by Joseph-Ignace guillotine to create a non-torturous way to kill people.

The Terror

This was a time during the Revolution in which everyone could be executed for any type of treason committed. Robbes Spierre was the head during this time. Lasting about a year, it was ruled by the guillotine.

Comittee of Public Safety

committee to "protect" citizens from counter-revolutionaries, truly was only protecting the revolution and wreaking havoc on the populace of France

The Directory

Established after the Reign of Terror / National Convention; a five man group as the executive branch of the country; incompetent and corrupt, only lasted for 4 years. Headed by Abbe Sieyes

Abbe Sieyes

Wrote an essay called "What is the 3rd estate" Argued that lower classes were more important than the nobles and the government should be responsible to the people.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Originally was a military leader, but lead a coup to overthrow the Directory. Overthrew French Directory in 1799 and became emperor of the French in 1804. Failed to defeat Great Britain and abdicated in 1814. Returned to power briefly in 1815 but was defeated and died in exile.

Code Napoleon (Napoleonic Code)

This was the French law put in place by Napoleon. It promoted equality before the law, toleration of all religions, and outlawing serfdom and feudalism. It also took away women's rights and outlawed trade unions and strikes.

Louis XVIII (18)

king after revolution, when the allies restored French monarchy unpopular

Jacobins

Radical republicans during the French Revolution. They were led by Maximilien Robespierre from 1793 to 1794.

Sans-culottes

In the French Revolution, a radical group made up of Parisian wage-earners, and small shopkeepers who wanted a greater voice in government, lower prices, and an end of food shortages (headed by Georges Danton)

Georges Danton

French revolutionary leader who stormed the Paris bastille and who supported the execution of Louis XVI but was guillotined by Robespierre for his opposition to the Reign of Terror (1759-1794)

Cult of the Supreme Being

a religion based on deism devised by Maximilien Robespierre, intended to become the state religion after the French Revolution, included no gods but believed the existence of a god and the immortality of the human soul

Thermidorian Reaction

A reaction to the violence of the Reign of Terror in 1794, resulting in the execution of Robespierre and the loosening of economic controls.

Congress System (Concert of Europe)

The international cooperation to work together to avoid major wars and to suppress nationalism and liberalism.

Congress of Vienna

Meeting of representatives of European monarchs called to reestablish the old order after the defeat of Napoleon

Civil Constitution of the Clergy

A document, issued by the National Assembly in July 1790, that broke ties with the Catholic Church and established a national church system in France with a process for the election of regional bishops. The document angered the pope and church officials and turned many French Catholics against the revolutionaries.

Versailles

A palace built by Louis XIV outside of Paris; it was home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

Constitution of 1791

all 3 estates have equal power in government, National Assembly becomes Legasliative Assembly, absolute monarchy is abolished, forcing the king to obey

100 days

Period of time when Napoleon returned to France a year after his exile to Elba and restored himself as emperor for a few months. He was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo

Treaty of Luneville

(1801) Austrians signed this with France after been defeated by Napolean at Marengo. It gave almost all of their Italian and German holdings to France. Which would make france more powerful also In 1802 a peace was also signed with the British.

Treaty of Amiens

1802, between France and Great Britain (Second Coalition had already ended at the Treaty of Luneville, 1801). This treaty settled peace with Great Britain. For short period then, 1802 to 1803, there was peace - the only period of peace between 1792 and 1814, when no European power was at war with another.

Waterloo

The site of Napoleon's defeat by British and Prussian armies in 1815, which ended his last bid for power

Continental System

Napoleon's policy of preventing trade between Great Britain and continental Europe, intended to destroy Great Britain's economy. (Blockade)

Louisiana Purchase

territory in western United States purchased from France in 1803 for $15 million

Equality, Liberty, Fraternity

Motto of the French Revolution: Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite

La Marseillaise (nationalism)

national anthem of France (sparked during the revolution)