french revolution Flashcards
French Revolution
A period of radical social and political upheaval in France from 1789 to 1799, resulting in the overthrow of the monarchy, the establishment of a republic.
Estates-General
A legislative body in France comprised of representatives from the three traditional social classes (estates): the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners (Third Estate).
Bastille
A fortress and prison in Paris symbolizing royal tyranny. Its storming on July 14, 1789, marked the beginning of the French Revolution.
Reign of Terror
A period of extreme violence and political repression during the French Revolution (1793-1794) characterized by mass executions, including those of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
A revolutionary document adopted by the National Assembly in 1789, asserting the rights of individuals and limiting the power of the monarchy. It served as a precursor to modern human rights declarations.
Guillotine
A device used for carrying out executions by beheading during the French Revolution. It became a symbol of the Reign of Terror and was used to execute thousands of people, including King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
National Assembly
A revolutionary assembly formed by the representatives of the Third Estate (commoners) during the French Revolution. It played a key role in drafting and adopting important revolutionary documents, such as the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
Sans-culottes
Working-class citizens of Paris who played a prominent role in the radical phases of the French Revolution. They were known for their distinctive style of dress, characterized by wearing trousers instead of the knee-breeches (culottes) worn by the upper classes.
Women’s March on Versailles
A pivotal event during the French Revolution (October 5-6, 1789), where thousands of Parisian women marched to Versailles to demand bread and protest against the high cost of living. The march led to the royal family’s relocation to Paris and increased pressure on the monarchy to address the people’s grievances.
