French Revolution Flashcards
What was the long term causes of the French Revolution?
Social inequality among the Estates, financial difficulties due to excessive spending and debt from wars, Enlightenment ideas promoting liberty and equality, and ineffective leadership from Louis XVI.
What was the Estates-General, and why was its convening in 1789 significant?
The Estates-General was an assembly of representatives from the three estates (clergy, nobility, commoners). It was significant because it had not been convened since 1614, and its 1789 meeting led to the formation of the National Assembly and the start of the revolution.
Describe the significance of the Tennis Court Oath
On June 20,1789, members of the Third Estate, locked out of the Estates-General, vowed not to disband until a new constitution was created , symbolizing the first step towards a representative government.
What was the storming of the Bastille , and why was it important?
On July 14, 1789, revolutionaries stormed the Bastille prison, symbolizing the tyranny of the Bourbon monarchy and marking the beginning of the Revolution.
What were the major phases of the French Revolution?
The moderate phase (1789-1791) National Assembly, radical phase, which was the legislative Assembly(1792-1794), and the Thermidorian reaction and the rise of Napoleon the directory (1794-1799)
What was the reign of terror?
A period from 1793 to 1794 when the revolutionary government, led by Robespierre , executed thousands of perceived enemies of the revolution using the guillotine.
How did the French Revolution end ?
The revolution ended with the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, who took power in a coup d’état in 1799, leading to the establishment of the Consulate.
Napoleon Bonaparte: what were the early achievements of Napoleon Bonaparte?
Napoleon gained prominence through his military successes, such as the siege of Toulon (1793), the Italian campaign (1796-1797), and the Egyptian campaign (1798-1799), showcasing his strategic genius and gaining political influence.
Napoleon Bonaparte: How did Napoleon rise to power in France?
Napoleon rose to power through the coup of 18 Brumaire (November 1799), overthrowing the Directory and establishing the consulate with himself as First Consul, effectively becoming the ruler of France.
Napoleon Bonaparte: What were the key features of the Napoleonic code?
The Napoleonic code (1804) established a uniform legal system, emphasizing civil rights , property rights , and the equality of all male citizens before the law, while reinforcing patriarchal authority and limiting women’s rights.
Napoleon Bonaparte: Describe the concordate of 1801 and it’s significance
The concordat of 1801 was an agreement between Napoleon and the Pope, re-establishing the Catholic Church in France while allowing Napoleon to maintain control over church appointments and reducing the Church’s political power.
Napoleon Bonaparte: What was the impact of Napoleons economic policies?
Napoleon’s economic policies included the establishment of the Bank of France , standardized tax collection, and infrastructure improvements, which stabilized the French economy and supported military expenditures.
Napoleon Bonaparte: What were the key battles during the Napoleonic wars?
Key battles included the Battle of Austerlitz (1805) , where Napoleon defeated the Austro- Russian Army ; the battle of Trafalgar (1805) , where the British navy defeated the French- Spanish fleet; and the Battle of Waterloo (1815), where Napoleon was finally defeated by the British and Prussian forces.
Napoleon Bonaparte:How did the continental system affect Europe?
The continental system (1806) was a blockade aimed at crippling Britain economically by prohibiting European trade with Britain. It ultimately failed due to widespread smuggling and economic hardship in Europe.
Napoleon Bonaparte: What led to Napoleons downfall?
Factors leading to Napoleon’s downfall included the failed Russian campaign (1812), widespread resistance in occupied territories, the Peninsular war draining resources and the formation of coalitions against him, culminating his defeat at Waterloo (1815).
