French Revolution Flashcards
What were Intendants?
Regional representatives of the king. Were the monarchy’s representatives in the provinces that made up France. They took power from governors and military leaders to concentrate more power into the hands of the king.
What is the Divine Right of Kings?
That God had chosen one to rule the nation. Strongly believed by King Louis XIV, who said: “I am the State!” Gave Louis XIV this idea that he was chosen by God, so when you disobey him, you disobey God.
What is Balance of Power?
Where countries have equal strength in order to prevent any one country from dominating the others. Achieved by other countries because they were afraid of King Louis XIV’s goals. They wanted to match his power.
Who was King Henry IV?
Came to the French throne in 1589. Of the Bourbon house. Was a Huguenot but converted to Catholocism to bring peace and unity to France. Issued the “Edict of Nantes,” which protected worship and political rights for Huguenots. He worked to control the nobility and regain power. He focused on the unfair tax system, which was bad because the poor people had loads of taxes and the rich had none. He put the Duke of Sully in charge of finances. Murdered in 1610, and his son Louis XIII was only 8 years old.
Who was Cardinal Richelieu?
Chosen by Louis XIII to be the chief minister of France. A political genius. He wanted to make the king supreme and take power and rights away from the nobles and the Huguenots. He strengthened the authority of regional representatives into the hands of the king. Saw the 30 year’s War as a chance to strengthen France.
What was the Thirty Years’ War?
Began in Prague in 1618 as a protestant rebellion against the Holy Roman Empire. Richelieu saw this as a great way to strengthen France. The war ended with the countries signed the “Treaty of Westphalia” in 1648.
Who was King Louis XIV? (Sun King)
Became King of France in 1643, and ruled for 72 years. Worked his whole life to make the king’s power absolute. Built the palace of Versailles, whiched drained money from France, and moved the government there so he could keep a close eye on everything. Believed in the Divine Right of Kings. Adopted the sun as his official symbol, as it’s rays stretched far and wide, just like his power. Made the most important decisions for France by himself. Chose supervisors to works under his direct supervision, of these was Jean-Baptiste Colbert. Did away with the Edict of Nantes in 1685. Wanted neutral frontiers. His wars took tolls of the resources and economy of France. Louisiana was named after him. Philip V, his grandson and the King of Spain, couldn’t unit with him due to the Treaty of Utrecht. Died in 1715, then the nobles took back power.
Who was Jean-Baptiste Colbert?
A supervisor under king Louis XIV. Expert in finance. Followed strong policies to promote economy development, with industry and trade in France. Took strong steps to eliminate corruption and waste in the tax system. Under his administration, trade and commerce grew, and France became a leading economic power in Europe.
What was the War of the Spanish Succession?
Louis XIV’s last war. This was fought over who would become the next king of Spain.
What was the Bourgeoisie?
Urban middle class, top of the third estate. Many of them were educated and wealthy. Could be as wealthy as the nobles, the only difference was that they had to pay taxes, the nobles didn’t. There were three other groups below them in the third estate; the city workers, artisans, and rural peasants. They shared the same ideas with the peasants and workers and used the same words to express them. They spoke of “liberty,” and “equality,” being their natural rights. They unified with the other groups to challenge the king’s absolute power.
Who was Louis XV?
59 year reign on France. He inherited Louis XIV’s debt, which continued to grow, creating an economic crisis. His expensive habits turned the people against him. He borrowed more and more money from bankers. He did not try to decrease the national debt of France. Increased the discontent of the French nation. Succeeded by Louis XVI in 1774.
Who was Louis XVI?
Succeeded Louis XV in 1774. Married Marie-Antoinette to strengthen an alliance with Austira. France’s debt continued to grow under him, due tu his helping the United States during their Revolution. He tried to tax the 1st and 2nd estates to get more money. In 1778 he called for a meeting of the Estates General to be held at Versailles. They met on May 5, 1789. He instructed the estates to meet separately to vote as they had done before, as was custom. The third estate refused to obey. The Estates General, they said, represented all French people, not three classes. 3rd estate declared themselves the National Assembly and would not step down until Louis XVI agreed to adopt their constitution. Finally, he allowed the estates to meet together.
Who was Marie-Antoinette?
Married Louis XVI. Daughter of the Austrian Emperess Maria Theresa. The French resented her Austrian connection and her involvement in French politics. Louis XVI married her in hopes to strengthen the French alliance with Austria.
Who were the Émigrés?
The nobles who fled to Great Britain, Switzerland, and Germany to escape the revolution. There they plotted to overthrow the revolution. They became a source of trouble for France in years to come. Later plotted with Louis XVI to overthrow the new government and restore the Old Regime.
What were Departments?
Districts of France. A reformed administrative structure for France. France is divided into 83 equal districts, the departments. The National Assembly was trying to correct past abuses and set up a new government.
Who were the Conservatives?
One of the groups of the Legislative Assembly. They felt that the revolution had gone far enough. They were happy with the Constitution of 1791. Their ideal government was one in which the king had limited authority. Sat on the right in legislature.
Who were the Radicals?
One of the groups of the Legislative Assembly. Wanted more drastic changes than those proposed by the National Assembly. They wanted to get rid of the king, set up a republic, and make broad reforms. Sat on the left in legislature.
Who were the Moderates?
One of the groups of the Legislative Assembly. Had no extreme views. Made up the majority. They sided with either the conservatives or radicals depending ont he issue at hand. Sat in the center of legislature.
Who was Olympe de Gouges?
Parisian playwright. Led a group of women who wrote their own document, the “Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Citizenesses.” The National Assembly rejected it. Gender inequality is shown.
What was Universal Manhood Suffrage?
The way that delegates were elected into the National Convention. Meant that any adult man could vote, whether he owned land or not. Ended by the new constitution in 1795.
What was Conscription?
A military draft. Said that all unmarried able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 25 were subject to military service. Adopted by the Committee of Public Safety in order to prepare France for/against foreign invasion.
What was Counter Revolutionary?
The actions done by the French who rose up against the revolutionary government. Their aim was to counter, or against, the Revolution. These groups supported the Old Regime, they preferred a monarchy. If you were suspected of this, you would be executed.
What was a Coup D’État?
An illegal and overt attempt to seize power, usually by a military or political group, to overthrow the existing government. Several of these occured during the French Revolution. Seizing power by force. “Stroke of State” In 1799, caused Napoleon Bonaparte to become dictator of France and begin the Napoleonic Era.
Who was Georges-Jacques Danton?
One of the most powerful Jacobins/Radicals/Republicans who favored domination by Paris. Wanted to get rid of the monarchy and establish a Republic. Controlled the National Convention. Arrested and executed Girodin people/delegates. Declared that the French army had gained the advantage, so it could relax, and that the Reign of Terror was over. Accused of being a counterrevolutionist by Robespierre and was executed.
