French Revolution

What were some major causes of the French Revolution?

1. Corrupt leadership from absolute monarchy

2. Unequal voting power in the Estates General

3. Spread of Enlightenment ideals

4. Influence of the American Wars of Independence

5. Unfair taxation

6. Government debt

7. Poor harvests

8. Social inequality

9. Growing middle class

10. Poverty

11. Unsanitary living conditions

What did the Enlightenment replace?

Faith, religion, and superstition were replaced with reason, logic, and scientific inquiry.

What ideas did the Enlightenment question?

The Divine Right of Kings and the authority of the Catholic Church.

What were the dates of the American Revolutionary Wars?

1775-1783.

Who funded the American Revolutionary Wars?

King Louis.

Into what country did the Thirteen Colonies become in 1776?

The United States of America.

What were the three estates in the Ancien Regime?

First Estate (Clergy), Second Estate (Aristocrats), and Third Estate (Commoners).

Who belonged to the First Estate?

Priests, bishops, deacons, etc.

Who belonged to the Second Estate?

Nobles and aristocrats.

Who belonged to the Third Estate?

Peasants and bourgeoisie.

What is absolute power?

The king does not have to follow laws and is the supreme authority.

What is the Divine Right?

Power is given by God and no one can question God.

Why was questioning the monarchy considered blasphemy?

Because it meant questioning God.

What was the Estates General?

A meeting of the three estates, similar to a parliament.

How many votes did each estate receive in the Estates General?

One vote each.

What caused France's financial crisis?

Massive debt from wars, deficit spending, and the First and Second Estates refusing to pay taxes.

What is deficit spending?

When a government spends more money than it receives from tax revenues.

When did the Tennis Court Oath take place?

June 20, 1789.

What did the Third Estate call themselves after meeting in the tennis court?

The National Assembly.

What was the Tennis Court Oath?

A promise not to leave until a new constitution was created to provide equal rights and freedoms.

When was the Bastille stormed?

July 14, 1789.

What was the Declaration of Rights of Man?

The first constitution in France.

What rights were included in the Declaration of Rights of Man?

Freedom of religion, speech, and press; guaranteed property rights; right to a fair trial; and the right of people to create laws.

What were the four phases of the Revolution?

National Assembly, Legislative Assembly, Convention, and Directory.

What type of government existed during the Legislative Assembly?

Constitutional Monarchy.

Who led the Jacobins?

Maximilien Robespierre.

What was the Reign of Terror?

A period when Jacobins targeted perceived enemies of the Revolution through tribunals and executions.

What ended the Reign of Terror?

Robespierre was arrested and executed.

How many directors were in the Executive branch of the Directory?

Five directors.

What problems did the Directory face?

Corruption and poor administration.

What feeling grew among the French during the Directory?

Nationalism and national pride.