French Revolution

Ancien Regime/Old Regime

The political and social system in France with the three Estates.

Estates

The three divisions of French society: First Estate (Clergy), Second Estate (Nobility), and Third Estate (Commoners).

First Estate

Clergy, comprising 0.5% of the population and owning 10% of the land.

Second Estate

Nobility, comprising 1.5% of the population and owning 25% of the land.

Third Estate

Commoners including artisans, peasants, and servants, making up 98% of the population and owning 65% of the land.

Bourgeoisie

The middle class, considered part of the Third Estate.

Louis XVI

The absolute monarch of France known for being indecisive and incompetent.

Social Causes of the Revolution

Divisions in social classes with unequal distribution of powers and wealth contributing to frustration and unrest.

Political Causes of the Revolution

Inadequate government laws led to suffering for the working class.

Bastille

A fortress stormed on July 14, 1789, signaling the end of the old monarchy and celebrated as French Independence Day.

Jacques Necker

Louis XVI's financial advisor who proposed taxing the 1st and 2nd estates.

Estates-General

An assembly called by Louis XVI where each estate had one vote, leading to Third Estate anger.

Deficit Spending

Spending while in debt; using borrowed money to fund expenditures.

Cahiers/Grievance notebooks

Documents listing grievances of the Third Estate members in Versailles.

Tennis Court Oath

An oath taken by the National Assembly to not disband until a new constitution was created, taken on June 20, 1789.

National Assembly Phase

The period from 1789 to 1792 when the National Assembly governed France.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen

Issued on August 26, 1789, announcing free and equal rights for all men.

Decree Abolishing the Feudal System

Passed on August 4-5, 1789, abolishing exclusive rights reserved for nobility.

Constitution of 1791

Passed on September 3, 1791, it divided government powers into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Constitutional Monarchy

A government where a hereditary monarch serves as head of state within the bounds of a constitution.

Radical Phase

The period from 1792 to 1794 that involved extreme changes and the Reign of Terror.

Guillotine

A device developed for beheading, seen as a more humane form of execution.

Maximilien Robespierre

Leader of the Committee of Public Safety, associated with the Reign of Terror.

Reign of Terror

A period of extreme political repression where suspected enemies were executed.

Directory

The government of France that replaced the Committee of Public Safety before being overthrown by Napoleon.

Napoleonic Code

A set of reforms established in 1804 emphasizing efficiency, uniformity, and legal rights.

Concordat of 1801

Agreement restoring the Roman Catholic Church's majority status in France.

Continental System

Napoleon's plan to bankrupt Britain through a blockade, which ultimately harmed France's economy.

Congress of Vienna

The diplomatic congress that redrew the map of Europe after the Napoleonic Wars.

Abdicate

To renounce one’s throne.

Elba

The first island of Napoleon's exile, from which he escaped.

St. Helena

The second island of Napoleon's exile, where he lived until his death.

Waterloo

The battle in which Napoleon was defeated.