French Rev Flashcards
Ancien Regime:
traditional old order, in which the first and second estates (clergy and nobility) was quite considerable, despite that a lot of nobility was suppressed due to absolutism (still very wealthy and held a lot of privilege compared to others)
Nobles Oblige:
obligation of nobility to look after inferiors had been ignored
Effects of the Second Hundred Years War on France
France emerged as the BIGGEST LOSER, severe economic downturn, lost lots of territory, lost lots of diplomatic power throughout western europe
Tennis Court Oath:
when third estate was locked out of the voting room, they would not disband until France had a liberal constitution
October Days, 1789
March on Versailles, October Days: mostly women, wanted to secure better constitutional terms and for food
During October Days, Queen Marie Antoinette said “let them eat cake” (VERY UNLIKELY SHE ACTUALLY SAID THIS, BUT SHOWS HOW UNINFORMED THE ROYAL FAMILY WAS OF THE PROBLEMS)
Royal Family Flees Versailles, 1789
OUTCOME: Royal family flees Versailles: National Constituent Assembly ends feudalism (had ended in England 100 years before), noble privileges, implements graduated taxation, opens office-holding, confiscated church land
Burke and neoconservatism
Burke: model of Constitution of 1791 was good because it recognized what the British constitution looked like, but any further degree of radicalism would be too far (NEOCONSERVATISM) emphasized that the British were the standard
Reign of Terror, 1793—1794
Maximillian Robespierre from the Mountain Party/Committee of Public Safety (Cabinet of larger national convention): GOAL TO REMOVE ALL ENEMIES OF THE REPUBLIC
Led to the Rise of the reign of terror
Targets nobility, clergy, monarchists, political conservatives (Girondin)
How long does the reign of terror last?
LASTS FOR ONE YEAR: UNTIL NATIONAL CONVENTION BECOMES CONCERNED THAT ALL OF ITS OTHER MEMBERS ARE GOING TO BE TARGETED BY THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Ninth of Thermidor: Convention orders arrest of Robespierre: ordered his execution
Thermidorian Reaction, 1794
Based on the month Robespierre was executed
Move toward MODERATE republicanism, more toward center, less extreme (but didn’t want a fully traditional form of government)
Invite remaining Girondins back, which balance out the members of the Extreme Mountain Party
Council of 500:
select by secret ballot list of candidates who would serve on the directory
3 Man executive;
Napoleon would be first consul with most power (Returning to a more monarchical model again)
Napoleonic Code:
France’s first set of national laws discussed criminal law, rights of the family, freedom of religion and occupation, and placed STATE RIGHTS OVER INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, gave rights to women