French Revolution Flashcards

Absolutism

A political system in which a single ruler holds absolute power, often justified by divine right.

Ancien Régime

The political and social system in France before the French Revolution, characterized by feudalism and absolute monarchy.

Balance of Power

A diplomatic principle aimed at preventing any one nation from becoming too powerful, ensuring stability in international relations.

Concert of Europe

A system of alliances and agreements among European powers aimed at maintaining peace and stability after the Napoleonic Wars, also known as 'Pax Europa.'

Congress of Vienna

A conference held in 1814-1815 to restore order in Europe after the Napoleonic Wars and to establish a new balance of power.

Constitutional Monarchy

A form of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government.

Consulate

The government established in France after the coup of 18 Brumaire in 1799, led by Napoleon Bonaparte.

Coup of 18 Brumaire

The coup d'état that brought Napoleon Bonaparte to power in France in November 1799.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

A fundamental document of the French Revolution that outlines individual and collective rights of all citizens.

Directory

The government of France from 1795 to 1799, characterized by a five-member committee that held executive power.

Edmund Burke

An Irish statesman and philosopher known for his criticism of the French Revolution and advocacy for tradition and gradual change.

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority.

Estates-General

A legislative assembly in France representing the three estates: clergy, nobility, and commoners, convened before the Revolution.

Flight to Varennes

The attempted escape of King Louis XVI and his family from Paris in June 1791, which led to their capture and increased tensions.

French Revolutionary Wars

A series of military conflicts from 1792 to 1802 between revolutionary France and various European monarchies.

Georges Danton

A leading figure in the early stages of the French Revolution and a key advocate for the establishment of the First French Republic.

Girondins

A political faction during the French Revolution that favored a more moderate approach and was often in opposition to the Jacobins.

Jacobins

A radical political group during the French Revolution known for their revolutionary zeal and association with the Reign of Terror.

Jacques Necker

The finance minister to Louis XVI whose dismissal in 1789 sparked the Storming of the Bastille.

Louis XVI

The last King of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution, executed in 1793.

Louis XVIII

The King of France who ruled after the fall of Napoleon and the restoration of the monarchy in 1814.

Marie Antoinette

The last Queen of France, known for her extravagant lifestyle and executed during the French Revolution.

Maximilien Robespierre

A key leader of the French Revolution and architect of the Reign of Terror, known for his radical policies.

Metternich

A prominent Austrian diplomat and statesman who played a key role in the Congress of Vienna and the restoration of conservative order.

Multilateralism versus Bilateralism

Multilateralism refers to multiple countries working together on a given issue, while bilateralism involves two countries cooperating.

Napoleon Bonaparte

A French military leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and became Emperor of the French.

Napoleonic Wars

A series of conflicts involving Napoleon's French Empire and various European coalitions from 1803 to 1815.

National Assembly

The revolutionary assembly formed by the representatives of the Third Estate in 1789, marking the beginning of the French Revolution.

Talleyrand

A French diplomat who played a significant role in the Congress of Vienna and served various regimes during and after the Revolution.

The Reign of Terror

A period during the French Revolution characterized by extreme political repression and mass executions of perceived enemies.

Thermidorian Reaction

The period following the fall of Robespierre in July 1794, leading to a relaxation of the extreme measures of the Reign of Terror.

Third Estate

The social class in France representing the common people, which played a crucial role in the French Revolution.

Treaty of Chaumont

An agreement signed in 1814 that established the terms for the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in France.

Women's March on Versailles

A significant event in October 1789 where women marched to Versailles to demand bread and the return of the royal family to Paris.