French Rev Flashcards

1
Q

What is the Ancien Regime?

A

The social and political system in France before the Revolution, consisting of three estates: the First Estate (clergy), the Second Estate (nobility), and the Third Estate (commoners).

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2
Q

What was the First Estate?

A

The clergy in France during the Ancien Regime, which held significant social, political, and economic privileges.

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3
Q

What was the Second Estate?

A

The nobility in France during the Ancien Regime, enjoying privileges such as exemption from taxes.

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4
Q

What was the Third Estate?

A

The common people in France, including peasants, workers, and the bourgeoisie, who faced high taxes and poor living conditions.

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5
Q

What was the Estates General?

A

A representative assembly of the three estates that was convened by the king, often to address issues such as taxation and reform.

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6
Q

What was the National Assembly?

A

A revolutionary assembly formed by the Third Estate during the French Revolution, claiming to represent the people and aiming to reform the political system.

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7
Q

What is the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen?

A

A foundational document of the French Revolution, declaring the equality of all men and the rights to liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.

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8
Q

What is the Political Spectrum?

A

A system used to categorize political ideologies, ranging from left-wing (radicals) to right-wing (conservatives) positions.

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9
Q

What does Liberty mean in the context of the French Revolution?

A

One of the core principles of the French Revolution, meaning freedom from oppressive authority.

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10
Q

What does Equality mean in the context of the French Revolution?

A

Another core principle of the French Revolution, advocating for equality among all people regardless of birth.

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11
Q

What is Absolutism?

A

A form of government in which a monarch has absolute power, typical of the French monarchy before the Revolution.

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12
Q

Who were the Jacobins?

A

A radical political faction during the Revolution, advocating for a republic and the overthrow of the monarchy.

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13
Q

Who were the Girondists?

A

A moderate political faction during the Revolution, favoring constitutional monarchy and less extreme measures compared to the Jacobins.

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14
Q

Who were the Monarchists?

A

People who supported the monarchy, either in its absolute or constitutional form.

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15
Q

What is the Divine Right?

A

The belief that monarchs are appointed by God and thus have absolute authority over their subjects.

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16
Q

What does Moderate mean in political terms?

A

Political views that are in the middle, favoring gradual change rather than radical or extreme shifts.

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17
Q

What does Conservative mean?

A

A political ideology that seeks to preserve traditional institutions and values, often resistant to change.

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18
Q

What is a Reactionary?

A

A political stance favoring a return to a previous state of affairs, often in response to revolutionary change.

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19
Q

What is a Radical?

A

A political ideology advocating for drastic, revolutionary changes in society and government.

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20
Q

What is Nationalism?

A

A political ideology emphasizing pride in one’s country and the belief in its superiority and independence.

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21
Q

What is Sovereignty?

A

The supreme power or authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.

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22
Q

What is Self-Determination?

A

The right of people or nations to determine their own political status and form of government.

23
Q

What is a Constitution?

A

A written document outlining the structure and principles of government, often a key goal of revolutions.

24
Q

What is a Republic?

A

A form of government in which power rests with elected officials, not a monarchy.

25
What does Fraternity mean in the context of the French Revolution?
The principle of brotherhood and unity among the citizens, one of the slogans of the French Revolution.
26
What is Conformity?
The act of aligning one's beliefs and behaviors with those of the majority or society, often seen as an enemy of revolutionary change.
27
What is Patriotism?
Devotion to one’s country, often seen as a driving force behind revolutionary movements.
28
What were the Yellow Shirt Protests?
A modern series of protests in France that were inspired by grievances against economic policies and perceived inequality.
29
What was the Tennis Court Oath?
A pledge taken by members of the Third Estate in 1789 to not separate until a new constitution was established, marking the beginning of the French Revolution.
30
What was the Storming the Bastille?
On July 14, 1789, revolutionaries stormed the Bastille prison in Paris, symbolizing the end of royal authority and the start of widespread revolt.
31
What was the Women’s March to Versailles?
In October 1789, thousands of women marched to Versailles, demanding bread and forcing King Louis XVI and his family to return to Paris.
32
What were the September Massacres?
A series of killings in 1792, where radical revolutionaries slaughtered prisoners, believing they were counter-revolutionaries.
33
What was the Reign of Terror?
A period from 1793 to 1794 during which the Jacobins, led by Robespierre, executed thousands of perceived enemies of the Revolution.
34
What were the causes of the French Revolution?
The causes included social inequality, financial crisis due to France's debts, resentment of absolute monarchy, enlightenment ideas, and widespread hunger and poverty.
35
What were the different perspectives of the Revolution outside of France?
Different countries saw the Revolution in various ways. Monarchies feared its spread, while republicans and radicals admired its call for liberty and equality.
36
What was the rally cry of the Revolution?
The rallying cry was 'Liberty, Equality, Fraternity,' drawn from Enlightenment ideas and the belief that all men should have the same rights.
37
Why did Robespierre and others believe the King had to die?
Robespierre and other revolutionaries believed the king was a symbol of tyranny and a threat to the Revolution. His death was seen as necessary to protect the newly established Republic.
38
Who was Jean Paul Marat?
A radical journalist and politician during the French Revolution, known for his fiery writings and advocacy for the execution of enemies of the Revolution.
39
Who was John Locke?
An English philosopher whose ideas on natural rights and the social contract greatly influenced revolutionary thought, particularly the idea that government should protect individual rights.
40
Who was Maximilien Robespierre?
A leading figure of the French Revolution and the Reign of Terror, known for his radical views and role in overseeing mass executions.
41
Who were the Sans Culottes?
Working-class revolutionaries who were key supporters of the French Revolution, known for their radical ideas and opposition to the aristocracy.
42
Who was Louis XIV?
The 'Sun King,' who ruled France for over 70 years and epitomized absolute monarchy, leaving a legacy of royal opulence and unchecked power.
43
44
What is the Bourgeoisie?
The middle class in France, part of the Third Estate, composed of merchants, professionals, and industrialists. They were often wealthy but had no political power under the Ancien Regime.
45
What is the Revolutionary Government?
The government that took power during the French Revolution, replacing the monarchy. It included bodies like the National Assembly, the Legislative Assembly, and later the National Convention, all seeking to establish a republic.
46
What was the Directory?
The five-member executive body that governed France from 1795 to 1799, following the fall of Robespierre and the end of the Reign of Terror, but marked by corruption and instability.
47
What was the Trial of Louis XVI?
In December 1792, King Louis XVI was put on trial for treason, found guilty, and sentenced to death by guillotine in January 1793.
48
What role did Enlightenment thinkers play in the French Revolution?
Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, Voltaire, and Rousseau provided the philosophical foundation for the Revolution, advocating for natural rights, the separation of powers, and the importance of individual freedoms.
49
What was the significance of the French Revolution in world history?
The French Revolution marked the end of absolute monarchy in France and the rise of the republic, influencing global movements for democracy and human rights, and inspiring revolutions across Europe and the Americas.
50
Why did the Revolution become increasingly radical over time?
The Revolution grew more radical due to external threats (war with other European powers) and internal threats (counter-revolutionary uprisings and royalist factions). The desire to protect the Revolution and eliminate these threats led to more extreme measures like the Reign of Terror.
51
What were the goals of the Revolutionaries in the French Revolution?
The goals included overthrowing the monarchy, ending the privileges of the aristocracy, establishing equality before the law, implementing democratic reforms, and creating a government based on the will of the people.
52
What were the effects of the Reign of Terror on France?
The Reign of Terror resulted in widespread executions, the suppression of political opposition, and a climate of fear. While it helped to defend the Revolution, it also caused deep divisions and contributed to the eventual downfall of the radical Jacobins.
53
What were the consequences of the French Revolution for the monarchy in France?
The Revolution led to the abolition of the monarchy and the execution of King Louis XVI. The French monarchy was replaced with the First French Republic, marking the end of centuries of royal rule.
54
Who was Marie Antoinette?
The Queen of France during the Revolution, wife of King Louis XVI, known for her extravagant lifestyle. She was arrested, tried, and executed by guillotine during the Revolution.