French Revolution Flashcards
Who were governing France before the revolution began?
Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette
Why was Louis XVI not liked?
He spent a fortune, was not in touch with the country, he was very young and made VERY BAD DECISIONS
At the time, France was bankrupt, why?
Because of the 7-year war & the American Independence
How were the social classes organized?
1st: Clergy
2nd: Nobles
3rd:
- Bourgeoisie
- Peasants
- Workers
Mention two main problems with economy at the time:
Due to a very bad winter, there was LESS BREAD & VERY HIGH TAXES
The King wants to charge taxes to which social group?
Nobles
In 1789, a certain group was formed, what was it called?
National Assembly
What is the Tennis Court Oath?
A protest in which people would stay in there until they had a constitution
What was Louis XVI’s reaction to the oath?
He sent the Swiss army to Versailles
The people in Paris believed they would be killed, therefore they took action and did what exactly?
Stormed into the Bastille to get weapons (July 14th, 1789)
The National Assembly wanted to protect people’s rights, so they created what?
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
Neighbor countries, Austria & Prussia, become worried because…
The monarchy might get hurt, the revolution’s ideals might reach their countries
Women got to Versailles from Paris in 1789, and…
Force the king to Paris, which shows weakness and clarifies that he no longer has control over France
To pay the enormous debt France had, the National Assembly does what?
Takes the Church’s land and sells it
After selling the Church’s lands, which social group is now against the National Assembly?
The peasants (huge Church followers)
Louis XVI tries to escape to Netherlands but…
he is caught, and sent back to Paris
By September 1791, a Constitution is ready and this says:
The legislative power can declare war on the king
In 1792, which two countries invade France and with which reasons?
Austria & Prussia invade to:
stop all the change and restore the monarchy’s power, protect the crown, and they threaten to destroy Paris if they hurt the king
After the threat that Austria & Prussia make on destroying Paris, what happens to Louis XVI?
He is sent to prison
The National Assembly transforms into what?
The Legislative Assembly, and then the National Convention
The National Convention declares war on Austria & Prussia. If they lose, the monarchy will be restored (a major don’t) so…
They kill the king (Louis XVI) in January 1793
After ending the monarchy which countries join the war?
Britain, Sweden & Spain
The French government becomes aggressive and which movement begins?
“The Terror” begins (1793-1795)
What did “The Terror” consist on?
Anyone who was against the government was killed
