French Revolution Flashcards
the old regime
the feudalistic system remaining from the Middle Ages
estates
large social classes or castes that determined each person’s place and rights/expectations in society
the first estate
church and upper clergy
exempt from taxes, owned 10% of French land, gave 2% of income to the government, about half of the population
the second estate
the nobility
exempt from taxes, owned 20% of french land, 2% of population
the third estate
98% of population, controlled 70% of French land, comprised of a wide variety of occupations and economic status, few privileges, paid the vast majority of the taxes- on everything like water and salt
the bourgeoisie
merchants and artisans, well educated and strong supporters of enlightenment ideals, paid high taxes, had few privileges or access to government positions, wanted greater social status, tax relief and political power
the workers
urban
part of 3rd estate, got poor wages, worked long hours and paid high taxes, poorly educated, lots of unemployment, motivated by food, greatly affected by food shortages and high inflation
the peasants
rural
largest group of 3rd estate, 80% of population, paid half of their annual income to nobles(rent), the church(tithes) and the king/gov’t(taxes, fees, tolls)
resented privileges of 1st and 2nd estates, wanted tax relief, lower prices, higher wages, and equality
what role did the american revolution play in moving France toward revolution
successful implementation of enlightenment ideals
economic problems in france
high taxes and feudal fees/tolls, hampered commerce, cost of living rose, inflation was high, food shortages due to bad weather and crop failures, famine and rising prices
Louis XVI
spent money on luxuries, gave money to American Revolution, doubled gov’ts debt, preferred hobbies like hunting and locksmithing to ruling
Marie Antoinette
“Madame le Deficit” Austrian daughter of Queen Maria Theresa, married Louis XVI at age 14, very unpopular (seen as a foreigner), spent heavily on clothes, jewels and parties to keep herself entertained
The estates general
French Parliament
called for first time in 175 years in may 1789 where Louis proposed to tax the nobles
why is the estates general unfair
each estate gets 1 vote, clergy and nobles will always outrule the 3rd estate (the bourgeoisie)
The National Assembly
June 17, 1789
passed laws and reforms in the name of the French people in opposition to the King and other estates
Abbe Sieyes
catholic priest/reformer, sympathetic to the 3rd estate, suggested that the 3rd estate withdraw from the estates general and rename themselves (the national assembly)
results of the national assembly
Ended French monarchy, began representative democracy, 1st direct action of french revolution
the tennis court oath
June 20th, 1789
3rd estate met and vowed not to leave until a new French constitution was written
Bastille prison bombarding
On July 14th, 1789 parisian citizens invade an old prison castle called the Bastille hoping to free prisoners and steal weapons & gunpowder, guards overwhelmed
Became symbol of the beginning of the French Revolution, today this is France’s ‘‘4th of July”
The Great Fear
Rumors spread, causes a panic that nobles were attacking the peasants, they began attacking and looting the nobles and their homes
Women’s march to Versailles
In October of 1789 Parisian women angered over rising prices on bread marched to Versailles, killed 2 guards, demanded Louis XVI and Marie move to Paris where they could be kept under watch
Declaration of the Rights of Man
August 27th, 1789
Some nobles and clergy joined with the 3rd estate to remove the privileges of the 1st and 2nd estates
Made all Frenchmen equal
Reflected influence of Enlightenment and the Declaration of Independence
Guaranteed citizens equal justice, freedom of speech and freedom of religion
“Liberty, equality, fraternity”
Did not apply to women
Olympe de Gouges
An early french feminist, writer and playwright
Supporter of true democracy, demanded equal rights for women
Wrote the “Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Female Citizen”
For this and other writings was beheaded by the Guillotine
The Revolution and the Church
Priests were to be elected by landowners and paid by the government
Church lands were seized and sold to pay off the debts of the government
The church lost its property and power in France
Louis trying to flee
Louis XVI tried to flee in June 1791 but was stopped at the border and returned to Paris
This convinced many that the king was a traitor to the Revolution and must die
Emigres
nobles who believed they were in danger and fled France
considered “enemies of the revolution”
The Legislative Assembly
1791
new constitution with a limited monarchy
king lost much of his power
Said the Assembly would make the laws and the King would enforce them
The Radicals
AKA “Sansculottes” urban workers who sat on the left side of the hall, were called left-wing, opposed the king and the idea of a monarchy, wanted changes in gov’t and proposed that common people have full power in a republic, wanted lower prices, more food and to kill the king and all nobles
The Conservatives
AKA reactionaries
emigres, nobles outside of France who wanted to invade France, restore the monarchy and Old Regime and crush the revolution, sat on the right side of the hall, were called right-wing, upheld the idea of a limited monarchy
The Moderates
sat in the center of the hall and were called centrists, wanted some changes in gov’t but not as many as radicals