Revolutions

history

Maximilian Robespierre

French statesman known for leading the Reign of Terror; he was beheaded in 1794 for unfair treatment of others' rights.

Napoleon Bonaparte

French Emperor who took control after the French Revolution and attempted to conquer Europe.

Louis XVI

King of France before the monarchy's fall; involved France in the American Revolution but was unfair to lower classes.

Marie Antoinette

French Queen married to Louis XVI, known for the phrase 'Let them eat cake' and for being unfair to lower classes.

National Assembly

Also known as the Tennis Court Oath, it gave the 3rd estate rights in government and aimed to create a new constitution.

Declaration of the Rights of Men

Constitution focused on human rights, guaranteeing freedom of speech, press, religion, property rights, and fair trial.

Committee of Public Safety

Ran by Robespierre and Danton during the Reign of Terror.

Directory

Created by the Constitution of the Year 3, consisting of 5 directors and a legislature with two representation groups.

John Locke

Enlightenment thinker who emphasized natural rights (Life, Liberty, and Property) and the social contract.

Thomas Hobbes

Enlightenment thinker who believed humans were naturally evil and that governments protect people from selfishness.

Baron De Montesquieu

Believed excessive power in one person's hands leads to tyranny; advocated for separation of powers.

Voltaire

Advocate for freedom of speech.

Cesare Beccaria

Called for fair treatment of criminals, including speedy trials and no unusual punishments.

Declaration of the Rights of Man

French document discussing equality and the nature of citizens written by Marquis de Lafayette.

Declaration of Independence

Document that officially separates the 13 colonies, written by Thomas Jefferson.

Constitution of 1791

Document limiting voting power to non-tax payers and reserving offices for property owners; established a limited monarchy.

Toussaint Louverture

Leader of the Haitian Revolution who captured French and Napoleon's armies.

Jean-Jacques Dessalines

Declared independence in 1804, named the nation Haiti, and abolished slavery.

Creoles

People born in the New World to Spanish parents.

Peninsulares

People born in Spain allowed to hold high government offices.

Mestizos

People of mixed European and Native American ancestry.

Old Regime

The hierarchical estate system that divided the French people into three different classes.

First Estate

Clergy members who collected tithes and didn’t pay taxes.

Second Estate

Nobility who collected taxes and owned land.

Third Estate

Peasants who were heavily taxed and had no say in government.