1. The French Revolution (1789-1799) Flashcards
1
Q
What year did the French Revolution begin?
A
1789
2
Q
What event is considered the starting point of the French Revolution?
A
The Storming of the Bastille
3
Q
True or False: The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was adopted in 1789.
A
True
4
Q
Fill in the blank: The French Revolution primarily aimed to overthrow the _______.
A
monarchy
5
Q
Who was the King of France at the start of the French Revolution?
A
King Louis XVI
6
Q
What was the name of the legislative body formed by the Third Estate in 1789?
A
The National Assembly, which took the Tennis Court Oath and operated from 1789 until September 1791.
7
Q
What type of government was established after the fall of the monarchy?
A
The First French Republic
8
Q
What document proclaimed the principles of individual and collective rights?
A
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
9
Q
Who was the radical leader associated with the Reign of Terror?
A
Maximilien Robespierre
10
Q
During which years were the Reign of Terror?
A
1793 to 1794
11
Q
What was the main purpose of the Committee of Public Safety?
A
Created by the National Convention in April of 1793, it was intended to protect the revolution from its enemies. It was the de facto government during the Reign of Terror.
12
Q
What was the fate of King Louis XVI?
A
He was executed by guillotine in January 1793 after being found guilty of conspiracy and high treason.
13
Q
What was the main economic issue that contributed to the French Revolution?
A
Widespread poverty and taxation
14
Q
Fill in the blank: The ____ was a period of political purges during the revolution (1793-1794)
A
Reign of Terror
15
Q
What was the purpose of the Estates-General?
A
To address the financial crisis and represent the three estates.
16
Q
Which radical political group during the French Revolution, led by figures like Robespierre, pushed for the execution of the king and centralized control during the Reign of Terror, often in opposition to the more moderate Girondins?
A
Jacobins
17
Q
What was the main role of the National Convention?
A
To govern France after the monarchy was overthrown.
18
Q
Who was the Queen of France during the revolution?
A
Marie Antoinette
19
Q
What was the significance of the Women’s March on Versailles?
A
It forced the royal family to move to Paris, bringing them under closer revolutionary control and marking a shift in power from Versailles to the people in Paris.
20
Q
What year did the Reign of Terror end?
A
1794
21
Q
What was the main reason for the fall of Robespierre?
A
His increasingly radical policies and purges.
22
Q
What was the name of the government established after the fall of Robespierre?
A
The Directory
23
Q
What was L’Ami du peuple, and why was it significant during the French Revolution?
A
L’Ami du peuple (“The Friend of the People”) was a radical revolutionary newspaper published by Jean-Paul Marat. It was known for its fiery rhetoric, calls for violence against enemies of the revolution, and strong support for the sans-culottes and Jacobins. It helped radicalize public opinion and played a major role in encouraging the Reign of Terror.
24
Q
What major event occurred on July 14, 1789?
A
The Storming of the Bastille
25
What was the slogan of the French Revolution?
Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
26
Who were the sans-culottes?
The sans-culottes were radical, urban working-class revolutionaries in Paris, including artisans, shopkeepers, and laborers. Known for wearing trousers instead of aristocratic breeches, they pushed for economic equality, direct democracy, and were a major force behind the Revolution’s most radical phase, especially the Reign of Terror.
27
True or False: The French Revolution ended the feudal system in France.
True
28
What was the Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1790), and why was it important during the French Revolution?
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy reorganized the Catholic Church in France under state control, requiring clergy to swear loyalty to the French government rather than the Pope. It created a major split between refractory priests (who refused the oath) and constitutional priests, dividing French society and turning many religious Catholics against the Revolution.
29
Who was the first president of the National Assembly?
Jean-Sylvain Bailly
30
What was the main goal of the revolutionary government?
The main goal was to defend and preserve the Revolution by dismantling the old regime (monarchy, aristocracy, Church power) and replacing it with a republic based on liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty — even if that required radical measures like the Reign of Terror.
31
Who was the leader of the Girondins?
Pierre Vergniaud
32
What were the French Revolutionary Wars (1792–1802), and why were they significant?
The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of conflicts between revolutionary France and a coalition of European monarchies who sought to stop the spread of revolutionary ideas and restore the French monarchy. The wars helped unify the French nation, spread revolutionary principles across Europe, and paved the way for Napoleon’s rise to power.
33
What was the Law of Suspects (1793), and what role did it play during the Reign of Terror?
The Law of Suspects was a decree passed by the National Convention that allowed for the arrest of anyone suspected of opposing the Revolution, often without solid evidence. It led to mass imprisonments and executions, fueling the Reign of Terror by broadening the definition of “enemy of the revolution.”
34
What was the significance of the Thermidorian Reaction (July 1794)?
The Thermidorian Reaction marked the fall of Robespierre and the end of the Reign of Terror. It led to the dismantling of the radical Jacobin regime, a rollback of extreme policies, and the rise of a more moderate government—the Directory—shifting the Revolution away from its most violent phase.
35
What was the primary role of the Directory (1795–1799) during the French Revolution?
The Directory was the five-member executive body that governed France after the fall of the Jacobins. Its main role was to stabilize the country, curb radicalism, and maintain order, but it struggled with corruption, economic problems, and relied heavily on the military—eventually paving the way for Napoleon’s rise to power.
36
What was *The Mountain* during the French Revolution, and what role did it play?
The Mountain (La Montagne) was a radical political faction within the National Convention, aligned with the Jacobins and led by figures like Robespierre and Danton. Known for sitting on the highest benches in the assembly, they pushed for the execution of the king, centralized power, and led the Reign of Terror against perceived enemies of the Revolution.
37
What was the main cause of the financial crisis leading to the revolution?
Excessive government debt and taxation.
38
Who was the author of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen?
The National Assembly
39
What was the role of the Committee of Public Safety during the French Revolution?
The Committee of Public Safety was created in 1793 to protect the revolution from internal and external threats. It gained broad emergency powers and became the de facto executive authority, leading the Reign of Terror by cracking down on counter-revolutionaries and managing the war effort.
40
What was the Battle of Valmy (1792), and why was it significant?
The Battle of Valmy was the first major victory for the French revolutionary army against Prussian forces. Fought on September 20, 1792, it boosted morale, helped legitimize the new revolutionary government, and paved the way for the proclamation of the First French Republic the very next day.
41
Who were the Girondins, and what role did they play during the French Revolution?
The Girondins were a moderate political faction in the National Convention that supported a constitutional republic and opposed the radical policies of the Jacobins. They favored war to spread revolutionary ideals but resisted the execution of Louis XVI. In 1793, they were purged by the Jacobins, leading to their fall from power and the start of the Reign of Terror.
42
What was the fate of the Girondins during the revolution?
They were purged and executed.
43
What major event occurred in 1793 that escalated the revolution?
The execution of King Louis XVI.
44
What was the Vendée Revolt, and why was it significant during the French Revolution?
The Vendée Revolt was a royalist and Catholic uprising in western France, sparked by resentment toward the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, mass conscription, and revolutionary anti-religious policies. It was one of the largest internal threats to the revolutionary government, leading to brutal repression and tens of thousands of deaths. The revolt highlighted deep rural opposition to the Revolution’s radical changes.
45
What was the role of the sans-culottes in the revolution?
They pushed for more radical policies and direct democracy.
46
Fill in the blank: The _______ was a series of laws passed to centralize power during the Reign of Terror.
Law of 22 Prairial
47
Who was the main rival of Robespierre during the revolution?
Georges Danton
48
Fill in the blank: The _______ was a key document that outlined the rights of citizens.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
49
What happened on 18 Brumaire, and why is it significant?
On 18 Brumaire, Year VIII of the French Revolutionary Calendar (November 9, 1799), Napoleon Bonaparte led a coup d’état that overthrew the Directory and replaced it with the Consulate, with Napoleon as First Consul. This marked the end of the French Revolution and the beginning of Napoleonic rule.
50
What did the revolutionaries do to the Church's property?
The revolutionaries nationalized all Church property in 1789, seizing land and wealth to help pay off the national debt. This move weakened the Church’s influence, led to the sale of Church lands, and paved the way for further reforms like the Civil Constitution of the Clergy.
51
What was the impact of the French Revolution on the class system?
It dismantled the feudal class structure.
52
What was the main focus of the National Assembly in its early years?
To draft a constitution and establish a republic.
53
Who were the émigrés?
Nobles who fled France during the revolution.
54
What was the significance of the Concordat of 1801?
The Concordat of 1801 was an agreement between Napoleon and the Pope that reestablished the Catholic Church in France after years of revolutionary suppression. While Catholicism was recognized as the religion of most citizens, the Church remained under state control, and Napoleon gained influence over Church appointments. It helped stabilize relations with French Catholics and strengthened Napoleon’s political power.
55
What was the primary reason for the rise of Napoleon?
Political instability after the revolution.
56
What was the primary role of the National Guard during the revolution?
To maintain order and protect the revolution.
57
Fill in the blank: The _______ was a series of laws that established a new legal framework in France.
Napoleonic Code
58
What were the three estates in pre-revolutionary France, and what were their privileges?
* The First Estate (clergy) had tax exemptions and land privileges
* The Second Estate (nobility) had feudal rights and military roles
* The Third Estate (commoners) paid most taxes and had little political power.
59
What was the significance of the Assembly of Notables in 1787?
It was called by Louis XVI to approve financial reforms but ultimately failed, leading to the Estates-General in 1789.
60
What was the 'Réveillon Riots' of April 1789, and why were they significant?
They were early protests against rising bread prices and economic hardship, foreshadowing the revolutionary unrest.
61
Why was the Tennis Court Oath a radical moment in 1789?
It was the first time the Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly and vowed not to disband until a constitution was created.
62
What role did Camille Desmoulins play in the early Revolution?
A journalist and orator who helped incite the storming of the Bastille and later supported Danton's moderate stance.
63
What did the August Decrees of 1789 abolish?
Feudal privileges, seigneurial dues, and special privileges of the clergy and nobility.
64
What was the significance of the 'October Days' (1789)?
Parisian women marched to Versailles, forcing Louis XVI to return to Paris and accept the Revolution’s authority.
65
What were the key provisions of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1790)?
It subordinated the Church to the state, required clergy to take an oath to the Revolution, and led to a schism between the 'juring' and 'non-juring' priests.
66
How did the Declaration of Pillnitz (1791) escalate tensions in France?
Austria and Prussia threatened intervention if Louis XVI’s power was not restored, fueling revolutionary nationalism.
67
Why did the French declare war on Austria in April 1792?
They suspected Austria was conspiring against the Revolution and wanted to spread revolutionary ideals across Europe.
68
What was the Brunswick Manifesto, and why did it backfire?
It threatened to destroy Paris if Louis XVI was harmed, but it only enraged the French public and led to the storming of the Tuileries.
69
What was the outcome of the September Massacres (1792)?
Thousands of prisoners, including clergy and nobles, were executed by radicals fearing counter-revolutionary plots.
70
What were the key arguments in Condorcet’s vision for a democratic republic?
He promoted education, equal rights, and a rational government based on Enlightenment principles.
71
How did the French Revolutionary Wars shape the Revolution?
They radicalized politics, increased the power of the Jacobins, and justified the Reign of Terror under Robespierre.
72
What was the significance of the Law of Suspects (1793)?
It broadened the definition of enemies of the Revolution, leading to mass arrests and executions during the Terror.
73
Why did Robespierre turn against the Hébertists and the Dantonists?
He saw the Hébertists as too radical and the Dantonists as too moderate, eliminating both to consolidate power.
74
What was the role of the Revolutionary Tribunals?
They expedited trials of 'enemies of the Revolution,' leading to mass executions, especially during the Reign of Terror.
75
What were the key objectives of the Cult of the Supreme Being?
It replaced Catholicism with a state-sponsored deist religion, emphasizing reason and virtue.
76
How did the Thermidorian Reaction end the Reign of Terror?
Robespierre and his allies were arrested and executed in July 1794, leading to a more moderate phase of the Revolution.
77
What was the White Terror (1795)?
The White Terror was a period of counter-revolutionary violence in 1795, where former royalists and moderates targeted Jacobins, sans-culottes, and supporters of the Reign of Terror. It was driven by revenge for the earlier Red Terror, and marked a shift toward political reaction and moderation after Robespierre’s fall.
78
What were the main weaknesses of the Directory (1795-1799)?
It was corrupt, lacked strong leadership, and depended on the military for stability, paving the way for Napoleon’s rise.
79
What was Napoleon’s justification for the Coup of 18 Brumaire (1799)?
He claimed he was saving the Republic from chaos but ultimately established his own authoritarian rule.
80
How did the Haitian Revolution relate to the French Revolution?
It was inspired by revolutionary ideals of liberty and led to the first successful slave revolt, ending French control of Haiti.
81
What were the key economic policies of the Jacobins during the Terror?
They imposed price controls, requisitioned food, and introduced the assignat currency, which rapidly lost value.
82
What was the role of the National Convention in governing France (1792-1795)?
It abolished the monarchy, declared a republic, and oversaw the execution of Louis XVI.
83
How did the Levée en Masse (1793) revolutionize warfare?
It introduced mass conscription, creating a huge citizen army that allowed France to fight multiple wars.
84
What role did women play in the Revolution?
They participated in protests (March on Versailles), wrote pamphlets (Olympe de Gouges), and demanded political rights, though they were later marginalized.
85
What were the Enragés, and how did they influence policy?
They were extreme radicals who pushed for aggressive economic controls and greater political purges.
86
Why was the French Republican Calendar introduced, and why did it fail?
It was meant to remove religious influences, but it was unpopular and difficult to use, leading to its abandonment.
87
What was the impact of the execution of Louis XVI?
It ended the monarchy, intensified foreign wars, and deepened divisions within the Revolution.
88
What was the Law of 22 Prairial (1794)?
It streamlined executions by removing the right to defense, accelerating the Terror.
89
How did the Treaty of Campo Formio (1797) change Europe?
It ended war with Austria, expanded French control in Italy, and increased Napoleon’s prestige.
90
What were the Girondins' key positions compared to the Jacobins?
They favored a decentralized republic and opposed the extreme measures of the Jacobins.
91
Why did the War in the Vendée (1793-1796) pose a serious threat to the Revolution?
It was a massive counter-revolutionary uprising led by royalists and Catholics against the Republic.
92
What was the impact of the Battle of Valmy (1792)?
It was a turning point that saved the Revolution, preventing Prussian forces from taking Paris.
