French Revolution and Napoleon Review Flashcards
List 3 of the problems in France that led to the French Revolution:
-France is broke
-There are special privileges given to aristocracy
-They were over taxing the 3rd estate
By calling itself the National Assembly, what was the 3rd Estate claiming to be?
The sole representative of the French people.
What was the purpose of the revolutionaries storming the Bastille?
It marked the first great triumph of the revolution over the ancient regime.
What group in France belonged to the First Estate? Who belonged in the Second Estate? Who belonged to the Third estate?
First estate- Clergy
Second estate- Nobility
Third estate- Commoners (everyone else)
Who is the sovereign power in France, according to the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen?
The people
What did the Declaration say about the rights of citizens?
It said that all citizens are equal before the law, and that taxes should be spread out equally among all citizens.
Why did the French National Assembly confiscate the property of the church in France?
To bring the Catholic Church fully under control of the government
Who was the man who wanted to use the Terror to establish a republic of liberty, equality, fraternity, and perfect virtue in France?
Maximilian Robespierre
Why did Robespierre finally turn on Danton? What happened to Danton?
Believed he was conspiring with traitors and monarchists against the republic. Danton refused to flee France after being warned by a friend and he was arrested and sent to the guillotine.
Where was Napoleon Bonaparte born? Was he French? Explain
He was born in Corsica, Italy. He was Italian but spent most of his life in France.
Give one reform Napoleon made in France as First Consul
The rewriting of the law when they changed it to Code Napoleon.
What is significant about Napoleon’s crowning?
When the pope lifted the crown to crown Napoleon, Napoleon took it from his hands and placed it on his head himself.
What was the Continental System?
The system established by the Berlin Decrees to force European countries to close their ports to British merchant ships or other ships carrying British foods.
What mistakes led to Napoleon’s downfall?
The Continental System, the Peninsular war, and invasion of Russia.
