Chapter 2 Flashcards
Absolute monarchy
A type of government with a hereditary king or queen. The belief that the monarchy is chosen by god justifies their total, ultimate rule. For example, Louis XVI
Bastille
A fortress in Central Paris used to imprison political prisoners of the king. It was also used to store cannons and muskets. Destroyed on July 14 1789 by French citizens.
Bourgeoise
A subsection of French peasants in feudal times. The city dwelling merchants
Clergy
The first estate. Religious officials of French feudal society. 1% of the population, paid zero taxes and held a lot of work.
Constitution
A document that ensures rule of law exists in a country
Constitutional monarchy
A gov led by a monarch whose power is limited bi a constitution. Example queen Elizabeth II
Declared rights of man and citizen (DORMAC)
Document written that gave equal rights to all men in France. Has been used by the US (bill of rights) and can Asian charter of rights and freedoms
Estate general
The feudal political advisory board. Including one member of each estate, they could advise the kind but he did not listen
Louis XVI
The feudal French monarchy (1774/1793). He married Marie Antionette at the age of 16. A weak useless hated monarch he was excited by the guillotine in 1793
Feudalism
A medieval model of gov w a specific social hierarchy. You were stuck in the position you were born into.
Divine right to rule
The belief by absolute monarchs that they have been chosen by god to rule. This justifies their rule
Dissident
A person who opposes the official policy and rule of an authoritarian state
Rule of law
The belief that no one is above the law
Present/serf
The lower class of society in feudal times- the third estate prior to the French Revolution
Marie Antonienette
The French queen during the revolution . Rumoured to have said “let them eat cake” excited by guillotine
Region of terror
A time period of mass execution of ppl suspended of being anti-revolution. Led by maximillen Robespierre
Robespierre
The leader of the reign of terror executed by guillotine
Secularism
The spread ion of church and state. In medieval times, the church
First estate
The clergy of French society
Second estate
The nobility of French society
Third estate
The peasants/serfs of French society
Deficit
When a government spends while in debt
Livres
The French currency prior to 1800
Philosophers
The intellectual group of French society who helped move the enlightenment forward. These people studied exactly mimics, politics, religion, and how society should function
Abolition
To get rid of something
Jacobin
An extremist radical group essential to the French Revolution. This group advocated for egalitarianism and were responsible for the reign of terror
Girondin
A moderate revolution group. They want a constitutional monarchy that limited the power of the king and allow a legislature to make decision
Napoleon Bonaparte
A French military general who declared himself emperor of France in 1804
The directory
The interim government after the French Revolution. It was weak and ineffective
The continental system
Under the rule of Napoleon All trade with Britain was blockaded with the French empire
The Metternich system
A series of meetings called to discuss the issues facing Europe
The congress of Vienna (1814)
The organization that led to the defeat of Napoleon. Goal balance of power and prevent more revolutions in Europe
Balance of power
When nations of the world have roughly equal power
The quadruple alliance (1813)
Including Britain, Russia, Austria, Prussia. Gathered to defeat Napoleon and prevent further French aggression
The Holy Alliance
A treaty/organization of most European states (1815) who wanted to promote Christian principles
Centralized government
A gov where the power or leal authority is held by a small group of individuals
Coup d’état
A sudden overthrow of a state by a small group of people. Usually through violence
Scorched Earth
A military tactic to burn and destroy any and all resources in the path of your enemy as you retreat. Used by Russians (and soviets)
Abdicate
To give up the thrown
