The Moderate and Radical Phases of the French Revolution Study Guide

Terms: Define in context...

(Old) Ancien Regime The social order before the revolution

Deficit Spending A government over spending

Estates the 3 social classes in France before the revolution

1st Estate the clergy

2nd Estate the nobles

3rd Estate the rest of the people-commoners

Estates-General an assembly made up of all 3 estates

Tennis Court Oath an oath made by the national assembly stating that they won’t stop fighting until they get a constitution.

National Assembly The 3rd assembly’s new group after they were talked over in the estates general assembly.

The Constitution of 1791 The constitution was a proclamation that stated

The Directory A group of people who used the militia to put down uprisings

The Bastille A storming of a tower as people demanded arms, this marked the beginning of the revolution

Declaration of the Rights of Man A declaration written to give everyone equal rights

Sans-culottes a lower-class Parisian republican in the French Revolution

Guillotine A machine with a blade on one end used to decapitate people.

Jacobins A group of radicals, led by robespierre, who wanted to take the revolution to the next phase.

Girondists members of a loosely knit political faction during the French Revolution.

Reign of Terror A time when people were being executed for ‘being against the revolution’ Robespierre was in charge.

Suffrage The right to vote (man)

Committee of Public Safety A committee to protect the revolutionary ideals

Levee en Masse a French term used for a policy of mass national conscription, often in the face of invasion

Congress of Vienna An assembly that discussed the future of France.

Napoleonic Code the authority of men over their families stronger, deprived women of any individual rights, and reduced the rights of illegitimate children

Waterloo ended a war that had raged for 23 years, ended French attempts to dominate Europe, and destroyed Napoleon's imperial power forever.

Abdicate To step down from

Concert of Europe the predominant system of diplomacy that governed international relations between the Great Powers of Europe throughout the nineteenth century.

People: Who were they? What did they do? Why are they significant?

1. Jacques Necker

Jacques Necker was finance minister to King Louis XVI of France, He oversaw the meeting of the Estates-General.

2. Louis XVI

He was the king before the revolution. He put the country into significant debt and heavily taxed the 3rd estate.

3. Marie Antoinette

Louis XVI’s wife. Was said to have hoarded grains which set off the march to versaille.

4. Maximilien Robespierre

The Jacobin leader who, when in power, killed many people for being ‘against the revolution’.

5. Jean Paul-Marat

A journalist and politician, a vigorous defender of the sans-culottes, a radical voice, published his views in pamphlets, placards and newspapers.

6. Charlotte Corday

She is the assassin of French Revolutionary leader, Jean-Paul Marat

7. Napoleon

Napoleon was France’s dictator that led France into many victories and losses. He took away many women's rights and made very strict domestic laws.

Concepts: Be able to explain, provide detail for the following…

1. Causes of the French Revolution - list 3

• Lack of rights for the 3rd estate

• Famine

• Oppression

2. Influence of the American Revolution - what was its influence? Why important?

It was important since the colonist were dealing with a similar thing and they won that fight, so it inspired the french that they also could win the fight.

3. Moderate Phase vs. Radical Phase of Revolution

The moderate phase included the tennis court oath and the estates general meeting. It also had Bastille. The radical phase was when robespierre was in power. This also marked the beginning of the regin of terror.

4. Political Spectrum - left, center, right, explain...

The left wing was the most radical of the 3 groups. The middle or center was the people who were more moderate. And the right wing were people who wanted an absolute monarchy and believed in divine right.

5. The execution of King Louis XVI - Public opinion? Press?

The execution of King Louis was generally supported after he was caught trying to flee france. Most people thought that he wasn’t a good ruler to the 3rd estate. There were still people, called monarchist, who believed that it was the wrong thing to do since there was no longer a monarchy

6. Napoleon’s rise to power?

Napoleon rose to power after his famous battle strategy came to public attention. He led France's forces into many victories. He named himself emperor and ruled over France like an absolute ruler.

7. Napoleon’s fall to power?

After Napoleon failed to attempt to invade Russia, half of his army died due to lack of food and the cold winters. When he got back to france he was forced to abdicate the throne and he was banished elba. When he escaped, he was once again defeated in the battle of Waterloo and was subsequently exiled to St.Helena.