AICE French Revolution

Core themes of the Enlightenment

include reason, individualism, and skepticism of authority, which influenced revolutionary thought and the push for democratic ideals.

John Locke

An influential Enlightenment thinker who advocated for natural rights, social contract theory, and the right to rebel against unjust governments.

Hobbes

An English philosopher known for his work "Leviathan," where he argued for a strong central authority and the necessity of social contracts to prevent chaos.

Montesquieu

A French political philosopher known for his work "The Spirit of the Laws," which emphasized the importance of separation of powers in government.

Voltaire

A leading figure of the Enlightenment, Voltaire was a French writer and philosopher known for his advocacy of civil liberties, criticism of religious intolerance, and promotion of freedom of speech.

Rousseau

A French philosopher best known for his work "The Social Contract," which argued that legitimate political authority relies on a contract between citizens and the state.

Diderot

A French philosopher and writer, Denis Diderot is best known for co-founding the "Encyclopédie," which aimed to promote reason and secular thought.

Wollstonecraft

An English philosopher and advocate for women's rights, Mary Wollstonecraft is best known for her work "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman," where she argues for the equality and education of women.

Smith

A Scottish economist and philosopher known for his influential work "The Wealth of Nations," which laid the foundations of classical economics and free market theory.

Spread of the Enlightenment

The Spread of the Enlightenment refers to the dissemination of Enlightenment ideas such as reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority across Europe and the Americas, significantly influencing social, political, and educational reforms.

Causes of the French Revolution

A combination of social inequality, financial crisis, Enlightenment ideas, and political conflict that led to the overthrow of the monarchy and the rise of radical social change.

social structure

The organization of society into distinct social classes, typically including the nobility, clergy, and commoners, impacting power dynamics and economic conditions in France prior to the Revolution.

economic problems

The economic problems leading to the French Revolution included high debt, taxation issues, food scarcity, and rising prices, which disproportionately affected the common people, exacerbating dissatisfaction with the monarchy.

political issues

The political issues surrounding the French Revolution involved the conflict between the monarchy and the representatives of the Third Estate, demands for political reform, and resistance to the absolute power of King Louis XVI, leading to widespread unrest and calls for a republic.

intellectual factors

were the ideas of Enlightenment thinkers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu that inspired revolutionary thought, promoting concepts of liberty, equality, and fraternity, which challenged traditional authority.

tennis court oath

In 1789 third estate declared itself the national assembly → pledge to draft constitution

Storming of the Bastille

On July 14, 1789, the medieval fortress and prison known as the Bastille was stormed by an angry and aggressive mob. This event, symbolizing the beginning of the French Revolution, represented the populace's revolt against the monarchy's oppressive rule and served as a crucial turning point in French history.

Declaration of the Right of man and citizen

Adopted by the National Assembly in 1789, it is a foundational document of the French Revolution proclaiming universal rights such as liberty, equality, and fraternity. It drew heavily on Enlightenment principles and the American Declaration of Independence, establishing principles considered essential to the new French Republic and influencing human rights documents worldwide.

March on Versailles

On October 5, 1789, thousands of Parisian women, fed up with bread shortages and high prices, marched to the Palace of Versailles. Their primary demand was for the royal family to return to Paris, symbolizing a greater accountability to the people. This event resulted in King Louis XVI and his family being forced to leave Versailles and relocate to the Tuileries Palace in Paris, significantly reducing the monarchy's independence and becoming another pivotal moment in the French Revolution.

Civil constitution of the clergy

Enacted in 1790 during the French Revolution, the Civil Constitution of the Clergy was a law that subordinated the Catholic Church in France to the French government. It reorganized the church, established an elective system for priests and bishops, and required clergy members to swear an oath of loyalty to the state. This act was highly controversial, leading to a deep schism between the Pope and the French government, and dividing the French population between loyalists to the church and supporters of the revolution.

Flight to Varennes

King Louis XVI's unsuccessful June 1791 attempt to flee Paris, leading to his capture in Varennes and gravely undermining the monarchy's authority.

Constitution of 1791

France's first written constitution, adopted in September 1791 by the National Constituent Assembly. It established a constitutional monarchy, limiting the king's power and creating a unicameral Legislative Assembly. It aimed to balance the authority of the monarchy with popular sovereignty, but its limitations, such as restricted suffrage based on property, led to its short lifespan.

war with Austria

In 1792, revolutionary France declared war on Austria and Prussia, escalating the French Revolution.

Jacobins

A radical political club during the French Revolution, influential in the Reign of Terror.

Bourgeoisie

The wealthy, educated middle class in France, influential in the French Revolution.

Sans-Culottees

Radical working-class revolutionaries during the French Revolution, known for their long trousers and demands for greater equality.

Main ideas of the French Revolution

The core tenets of the French Revolution, often summarized as Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, reflecting the Enlightenment ideals and a desire for individual freedoms, legal parity among citizens, and national unity.