11-French Revolution 1 Flashcards
Explain the impact the American Revolution had on the French Revolution
a. First, French soldiers who fought in North America were inspired by the example of the American Revolution. It seemed the very fulfillment of Enlightenment ideals and the forerunner of a new world to come
b. Increased debt of the French government as a result of the American Revolution arguably did much more to bring about the French Revolution
Describe the “Old Regime” (Ancien Regime) in France in terms of the three estates and various social-political grievances, tensions, and resentments in French society
a. Three Estates: 3 classes in which France was divided. Upper two classes (1 and 2) comprised of nobility and clergy. 3rd classes comprised of everyone else-the majority. The upper 2 had considerably more benefits, rights and privileges than the lower third.
b. Tensions/Resentments: The nobility vs. power of the monarchy. Old noble families vs. more recently ennobled families resented each other. Bourgeoisie resented aristocratic barriers to their social advancement and political power. The 3rd class was sick of it!
Explain how the 18th century debt crisis led France toward revolution
a. King realized that the only way to relieve debt was to abolish tax exemption privileges to the 1 and 2. King repeatedly called for an Estates General meeting which represented the 3 classes to vote and solution was denied several times. The upper 2 won out due to more representation than the majority 3. This led to change!
Place in order the principal events in the revolutionary sequence of May-August 1789
a. Estates General to meet for the first time in 175 years
b. When the Estates General convened the Third Estate pushed for a greater voice in government and for political reforms
c. They announced that they had formed themselves into the National Assembly
d. Tennis Court Oath: a solemn oath never to adjourn until they had written a new constitution for France
e. Bastille: violent revolutionary act of defiance and social status breakdown
f. The Great Fear: rumors caused chaos and riots among the 3rd estate
g. National Assembly abolished noble privilege
h. Assembly issued the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen”, which asserted the rights of French citizens
Explain the role played by: the Estates General, Third Estate, National Assembly, Tennis Court Oath, Fall of the Bastille, Paris crowds, and peasant violence in the countryside in the unfolding of the French Revolution of 1789
a. Estates General: committee of representatives of the 3 estates
b. Third estate: “lower class”, majority of French
c. National Assembly: revolutionist imposed new form of government
d. Tennis Court Oath: a solemn oath never to adjourn until they had written a new constitution for France
e. Fall of the Bastille: gave others the courage to join the revolution
f. Paris crowds: supported the National Assembly
g. Peasant violence: chaos during the Great Fear, anarchy
Symbolic significance of action toward the King taken in the “March of the Fishwives”
a. Forced the king and his family to return with them to Paris; King was now prisoner of France
What radicalized the French Revolution in 1792
a. The war which induced a great army by citizen volunteers during possible defeat, rallied the revolutionists and amped patriotic fervor
