Chapter 17 Europe Flashcards
The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Empire 1789-1815
3rd Estate
This referred to the common people. (The lowest class) made up of the Bourgeoisie and Sans-culottes, the laboring class
^ only need to know this - some extra info v
The 2nd estate was the Nobility
Made up of upper-middle class - Artisans, merchants
The 1st estate is Clergy
San Culottes
Radical members of the 3rd estate spoke out to advocate for themselves and other fellow members of the 3rd estate. These people made a significant impact on the outcome of the French Revolution. The initial goal of the French Revolution was to establish a more equitable and representative government by reforming the existing monarchy, abolishing feudal privileges, and securing basic rights for citizens, primarily focusing on the concept of “liberty, equality, and fraternity”; however, as the revolution progressed, the goals became increasingly radical, leading to the overthrow of the monarchy, the establishment of a republic, and a pursuit of revolutionary ideals across Europe through military expansion, often marked by violence and terror.
National Assembly
This assembly was composed of three estates – the clergy, nobility and commoners – who had the power to decide on the levying of new taxes and to undertake reforms in the country. The opening of the Estates General, on 5 May 1789 in Versailles, also marked the start of the French Revolution.
Bastille
A French state prison and a place of detention for important persons charged with various offenses.
Served as a symbol of governmental power
The Storming of Bastille: the morning of July 14th, 1789 1,000 3rd estate French people decided to gather outside of the Bastille with the intent to take it over. The goal was to obtain the arsenal of weapons within.
Declaration of the Rights of Man
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was a foundational document of the French Revolution, and was adopted on August 26, 1789. It was a preamble to the first Constitution of the French Revolution in 1791.
Declaration of the Rights of Woman and Citizen
The Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen was a pamphlet published in 1791 by French political activist and playwright Olympe de Gouges. The document was a response to the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen of 1789 and argued for women’s equality and rights.
Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror (French: la Terreur) was a period of the French Revolution when, following the creation of the First Republic, a series of massacres and numerous public executions took place in response to revolutionary fervour, anticlerical sentiment, and accusations of treason by the Committee of Public Safety.
Napoleon
Napoleon Bonaparte, also known as Napoleon I, was a French military leader and emperor who rose to power during the French Revolution, becoming the first Emperor of France from 1804 to 1814 (and briefly again in 1815). He is widely considered one of history’s greatest military commanders, conquering much of Europe through successful military campaigns, while also implementing significant legal reforms through the Napoleonic Code, which aimed to establish a uniform legal system across French territories.
Concordat of 1801
An agreement between Napoleon and Pope Pius VII signed in July 1801 in Paris that remained in effect until 1905. It sought national reconciliation between revolutionaries and Catholics and solidified the Roman Catholic Church as the majority church of France, with most of its civil status restored.
The Concordat of 1801 occurred because Napoleon Bonaparte, the First Consul of France, wanted to reconcile the Catholic Church with the French government following the turmoil of the French Revolution, which had significantly alienated many devout Catholics by seizing Church lands and enacting anti-clerical policies; by restoring some Church power and establishing a new relationship between Church and State, Napoleon aimed to achieve social stability and consolidate his political position within France.
Napoleonic Code
The Napoleonic Code, also known as the French Civil Code, was established in 1804 by Napoleon I and is still in effect in France today. The code was influenced by a variety of sources, including:
Revolutionary and nationalist spirit
The code was influenced by the revolutionary and nationalist spirit in France.
Enlightenment belief
The code was influenced by the Enlightenment belief that rules and principles could be rationally derived.
Written Roman law
The code was influenced by written Roman law.
Napoleon Bonaparte
The code was influenced by Napoleon Bonaparte’s strong will and political skill. Equality
The code granted all male citizens equal rights under the law, and the right to religious dissent.
Property
The code abolished primogeniture, the practice of the eldest son inheriting all property, and instead required that all children inherit equally.
Marriage
The code introduced the concept of divorce, which was previously not recognized in France due to the influence of the Catholic Church. Married couples could apply for divorce for reasons such as cruelty, adultery, or mutual agreement.
Women
The code subordinated women to their fathers and husbands, who controlled all family property and determined the fate of children. Women could not legally own property in France, even after the death of their spouse.
Work
The code banned worker organizations, and employers’ word was to be taken over that of their employees.
Court system
The code standardized the court system, with all judges appointed by the national government in Paris.
Criminal procedure
The code established the basis of the modern inquisitorial system of criminal courts in France and many civil law countries.
Haitian Revolution
Put simply, the Haitian Revolution (led by Toussaint Louverture) was a series of conflicts between 1791 and 1804. During this time, enslaved Africans, Creoles, and freed slaves all battled Haiti and their descendants who had been enslaved by the French and the establishment of an independent country founded and governed by former slaves.
