the French Revolution

How did political boundaries shape France?

France expanded by absorbing culturally similar peoples while being blocked by strong rivals like Austria and Britain.

Name France’s main historical rivals.

The Holy Roman Empire (Germany/Austria), Spain, and England/Great Britain.

What was France’s colonial focus in North America?

The fur trade, religious conversion, and alliances with Indigenous peoples (especially in New France/Quebec).

What people emerged from the blending of French and Indigenous cultures?

What people emerged from the blending of French and Indigenous cultures?

Who was the “Sun King”?

Louis XIV — reigned for 72 years, symbol of absolute monarchy.

What was Louis XIV’s goal as king?

To centralize power under himself and control the nobility.

What was the Palace of Versailles built for?

To showcase royal power and force nobles to live near the king to keep them loyal.

What major war drained France’s finances under Louis XIV?

What major war drained France’s finances under Louis XIV?

Who was Voltaire, and what did he believe?

A witty writer who attacked Church corruption and supported freedom of religion and speech; promoted reason and education.

What did Rousseau argue in The Social Contract?

Governments exist through an agreement between rulers and the people, who give up some freedom for protection and order.

What were Montesquieu’s key ideas?

Separation of powers into three branches — legislative, executive, and judicial — to prevent tyranny.

What was Denis Diderot known for?

Creating the Encyclopédie to spread knowledge; it was banned by the Church and government for challenging authority.

What did John Locke believe about government?

Governments must protect people’s natural rights (life, liberty, property) and gain power from the consent of the governed. People can overthrow unjust governments.

How did Enlightenment ideas spread?

Through books, pamphlets, printing presses, and social gatherings like salons and coffeehouses.

What were “salons”?

Gatherings (often hosted by women) where intellectuals discussed and debated new ideas

What is an “Enlightened Despot”?

An absolute ruler who adopted Enlightenment ideas to modernize their country (e.g., Frederick the Great, Catherine the Great).

What were the main long-term effects of the Enlightenment?

Inspired democracy, human rights, revolutions (especially American and French), and modern scientific thought.

What were the three Estates of France?

• First Estate – Clergy

• Second Estate – Nobility

• Third Estate – Commoners (bourgeoisie, peasants, etc.)

Why did Louis XVI call the Estates General in 1789?

France was deeply in debt and needed to approve new taxes.

Why was the Third Estate frustrated?

Voting was done by estate (1 vote per group), allowing the First and Second Estates to outvote the Third.

What was the National Assembly?

The group formed by the Third Estate (and some nobles/clergy) claiming to represent the French people.

What was the Tennis Court Oath?

A vow by the National Assembly to keep meeting until France had a written constitution.

What event marked the start of the Revolution?

The Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789).

Why is the Bastille important?

It symbolized royal tyranny; its fall became a symbol of freedom and revolution.

What was the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen?

A 1789 document guaranteeing liberty, equality, property, and resistance to oppression.

Which Enlightenment thinkers influenced it?

Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Locke.

What were flaws in the Declaration?

It didn’t define enforcement, excluded women and enslaved people.

Who was Olympe de Gouges?

Author of The Declaration of the Rights of Woman (1791); argued for women’s equality and against slavery.

What kind of government was created in the 1791 Constitution?

A constitutional monarchy that limited the king’s power and allowed only property-owning men to vote.

What was the guillotine meant to represent?

Equality in death — a humane, equal punishment for all classes.

What did the guillotine become a symbol of?

Both justice and terror during the Revolution.

What event destroyed Louis XVI’s reputation?

His failed escape attempt (Flight to Varennes, 1791).

Why did France go to war with Austria and Prussia in 1792?

To defend the Revolution and preempt foreign attacks supporting the king.

What was the Brunswick Manifesto?

A threat from Prussia to burn Paris if the royal family was harmed; it backfired and enraged revolutionaries.

When did France become a republic?

1792, after the monarchy was overthrown.

What happened to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette?

Both were executed by guillotine (Louis in January 1793, Marie in October 1793).

Who were the Jacobins and the Girondins?

Two revolutionary factions — Jacobins were more radical; Girondins were moderate.

Who were key radical leaders?

Maximilien Robespierre, Georges Danton, and journalist Jean-Paul Marat.

What was the Committee of Public Safety?

A powerful group led by Robespierre and Danton to protect the Revolution — often through mass executions.

What were the sans-culottes?

Radical working-class revolutionaries who pushed for more equality and violence.

What was the Reign of Terror?

A period (1793–1794) of mass executions and political purges led by Robespierre.

How did the Reign of Terror end?

With the arrest and execution of Robespierre in 1794.

Approximately how many people were executed during the Terror?

About 17,000 officially, with hundreds of thousands more arrested or killed informally.