French Revolution and Nationalism

Question 1

Nationalism:

Answer 1

The feelings and actions the members of a nation have when they care about their national identity.

Question 2

Civic Nationalism:

Answer 2

A feeling towards a nation that develops when the nation is mostly defined by the fact that it is a nation-state (country). People agree to live by a shared set of laws and norms, and mutual respect for these laws allows them to live together peacefully. This type of nationalism can form in a country where there are many different types of people who live together, and a shared culture or background does not exist amongst all people.

Question 3

Patriotism:

Answer 3

Patriotism is an extreme sense of love or loyalty to a nation. Patriotism can lead to individuals and groups taking action to openly express this sense of love or loyalty. Nationalism is not always patriotism. Patriotism is an expression of nationalism.

Question 4

Fraternity:

Answer 4

The state or feeling of friendship and mutual support within a group. Ex. “the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity”

Question 5

Conformity:

Answer 5

The process whereby people change their beliefs, attitudes, actions, or perceptions to more closely match those held by groups to which they belong or want to belong or by groups whose approval they desire.

Question 6

Individuality:

Answer 6

The quality or character of a particular person or thing that distinguishes them from others of the same kind.

Question 7

Multiculturalism:

Answer 7

A belief, doctrine, or policy that embraces the idea of ethnic or cultural diversity and promotes a culturally pluralistic society.

Question 8

Treason:

Answer 8

The crime of betraying one’s country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government.

Question 9

Emigration:

Answer 9

The act of leaving your home to settle permanently in another area of the same country/nation-state; moving abroad.

Question 10

Royalist:

Answer 10

A person who supports the principle of monarchy or a particular monarchy.

Question 11

Aristocrats:

Answer 11

The highest class in certain societies, especially those holding hereditary titles or offices; part of the nobility.

Question 12

Ultra Nationalism:

Answer 12

An extreme form of nationalism. Ultranationalists are often fanatically loyal to their own nation and hostile and racist toward other nations.

Question 13

Nation:

Answer 13

A country, a distinct physical territory with a government (boundaries). This type of nation is often called a nation-state. A nation refers to a group of people who share a sense of belonging together (belonging).

Question 14

Ethnic Nationalism:

Answer 14

Nationalism that is founded on shared ethnicity, culture, and language. People who share these traits may choose to create a nation-state based on their collective identity.

Question 15

Feudalism:

Answer 15

A hierarchy system used before the French Revolution in which people were divided into classes dependant on birth. There was the crown, clergy, nobility, and peasants.

Question 16

Patriotism:

Answer 16

Love of a country and an interest in its well-being. A sense of loyalty may be expressed in various ways.

Question 17

Absolute Monarchy:

Answer 17

A government with a sovereign leader who came into power by marriage or offspring; they had complete control with no limitations from the constitution or law.

Question 18

Bourgeoisie:

Answer 18

The top of the Third Estates, typically merchants with some amount of money.

Question 19

State the history of the Estates-General:

Answer 19

Formed under a feudal state from approximately the 1500’s - June 1789. 1. The Meeting of the Estates-General - An assembly of representatives from all three estates was called the Estates-General. Each of the three Estates would have the same number of representatives to vote on issues. This meant the Third Estate would always be outnumbered by the First and Second Estates even though they represented 95% of the population in France. 2. The Failure of the Estates-General - The Third Estate demanded a state that represented its rights with more equity. More vocal leaders emerged as many were influenced by new ideas from the Enlightenment. More people were beginning to question the authority of the king.

Question 20

What did the National Assembly swear to in the Tennis Court Oath?

Answer 20

They swore an oath to not disband until they had written a constitution that would guarantee equality for all French people, end the ancien regime, and create a responsible government based on the will of the people.

Question 21

Explain the Tennis Court Oath:

Answer 21

The Third Estate wanted to create a simple change to the Estates-General: one vote for each man. This would decrease the voting power of the First and Second Estates and shift the decision-making power in France. When all members of the Estates-General met, Louis the 16th was shocked by the voting proposal and feared losing his absolute reign on France. He responded by locking the Third Estate out of the assembly. The king believed this would stop the power of the people to seek their civil rights. The Third Estate moved to a tennis court after the king locked them out of the assembly. They declared themselves the National Assembly.

Question 22

Explain The Storming of the Bastille:

Answer 22

During the summer of 1789, the king stationed the military in Paris for his protection. Although some reforms in government were being made, for many citizens it was not enough. Food remained scarce, taxes high and the king was to blame. Across Paris mistrust rose against the king and his military as they didn’t appear to support the people of France. July 14, 1789 - Patriotically known as Bastille Day in France, signals the start of the French Revolution. The Bastille was a prison used to keep citizens who often committed crimes that broke the unjust laws of the King. A mob formed by the Third Estate stormed the Bastille in the city of Paris in protest of the injustice and inequality they experienced at the hands of the king and the First Estate. This event was very symbolic of the people forcefully overturning unjust systems.

Question 23

Explain the beginning of the National Assembly (officially):

Answer 23

The end of the Estates-General marked the beginning of the end of the king’s power over the citizens of France. The National Assembly became the first democratic government in France. Representatives were working professionals of the Third Estate. They demanded economic reforms to address the problems with food shortages for the poor.

Question 24

Explain the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen:

Answer 24

On August 4th, 1789 the National Assembly drew up a constitution. France was then considered a constitutional monarchy. The constitution included a statement of the rights of male French citizens: Article 1: All men are born free and equal. This was a proclamation that all men were to be granted the “inalienable rights of man”. It provided a duty to hold the government accountable in order to achieve equality. This was an example of civic nationalism as all citizens now followed the same laws.

Question 25

Explain the failure of the National Assembly:

Answer 25

The king was no longer in charge, but he still maintained limited government authority. Decision-making was a big problem for members of the National Assembly as different political groups pursued their own interests. There was little consensus among all members to pass laws. Within two years of taking power, the sentiment of patriotism toward the National Assembly turned to revolt. The failure of the National Assembly demonstrated the challenge of designing civic nationalism in France in the late 1700s.

Question 26

Explain the emergence of the Legislative Assembly:

Answer 26

The National Assembly was replaced with the Legislative Assembly. The Legislative Assembly was in power from 1791–1792. Under this government, a constitutional monarchy, the king still had some powers. A range of political values emerged with the formation of the Legislative Assembly as members aligned themselves to the middle, left and right of the political spectrum. A variety of beliefs emerged that represented how different groups viewed political and civic nationalism.

Question 27

Explain the Centrists political standpoint within the Legislative Assembly:

Answer 27

Those taking a moderate position to the uprising in France during the revolution were called the “centre” or moderates and independents, and held the following values: There was general support for a constitutional monarchy. There was a willingness to advance the revolution if needed. They believed in change, but that it should be acquired peacefully and over time.

Question 28

Explain the right-hand side of the political spectrum during the Legislative Assembly:

Answer 28

Conservatives wanted to return to the familiarity of the past regime. They believed that the role of society was to submit to the Crown. They wanted to keep a limited monarchy in place. They also believed that change should come gradually and with stability - especially keeping King Louis XVI on his throne.

Question 29

Explain the left-hand side of the political spectrum during the Legislative Assembly:

Answer 29

The revolutionaries are from three groups: the Jacobins, Girondins and The Paris Mob. The radicals violently sought the removal of the king and the rise of the Republic of France. They felt the goals of the revolution were betrayed by the evolving government of France.

Question 30

What were the threats to political nationalism during the Legislative Assembly?

Answer 30

Both domestic and foreign threats emerged as many were still loyal to King Louis XVI and the power of his throne. Loyalists known as Émigrés left France during the Revolution to seek alliances in other European nations that were still ruled by absolutism. Those nations wanted to restore the king to his throne because they feared a successful revolution in France would potentially lead to uprisings in their own country. The commitment of support to keep the king of France in power by foreign nations such as Austria, Prussia and Germany is seen by French nationals as an act of war against France. This leads to a rise in patriotism as the French find unity in the fight against foreign invaders. France and Prussia went to war in April of 1792. The war effort unified the people of France in patriotism against the Prussians. The French armies were defeated, but there was a strong sentiment of patriotism that emerged in France as they continued to battle other nations.

Question 31

How did the French express nationalism?

Answer 31

The national motto of France: “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”, symbolism and wearing clothing that distinguished between the old regime and the Republic, and the national anthem.

Question 32

As the French began to express Nationalism, religious and royal symbols were replaced by:

Answer 32

The tricolor cockade fastened to clothing, a brimless cap called a liberty cap, the liberty tree, and a shift in clothing from opulence of the king’s court to ordinary clothes of the general population (e.g., sans coulet).

Question 33

Explain the civic revolution during the ending of the King’s rule:

Answer 33

The residence of the royals known as the Tuileries was attacked and King Louis and his family were imprisoned on August 10, 1792. Domestic violence continued between the revolutionaries and those loyal to the French monarchy. The revolutionaries prevailed and created a government called the “Commune” in the city of Paris. This was the final act in abolishing the monarchy as head of state and government. The king’s powers were permanently revoked.

Question 34

Explain the political revolution:

Answer 34

The power of the revolution spread fear across other nations under feudal rule throughout Europe. Rulers in Prussia and Austria invaded France in order to stop the political revolution. The French rallied with a short term conscription of soldiers to fight off their foreign enemies. This collective action denoted the shift from the king’s rule to the rise of the democratic citizen in France. This also reflected the importance of national participation; a trade off of individual service for a free democratic state.

Question 35

Explain the death of the King and of the Ancien Regime:

Answer 35

King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette were tried for treason for plotting a foreign and domestic revolt on the state with the help of the Emigrés. King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed by guillotine. The rule of constitutional monarchy came to an end with the death of King Louis XVI on January 21, 1793.

Question 36

Describe the National Convention:

Answer 36

The National Convention was the first government in the Republic of France, lasting from September 20, 1792–October 26, 1795. They followed a parliamentary process without the interference of a monarch. The National Convention was elected by all males aged 25 and over no matter what class or social status they held. In spite of the new right to vote for all men, there was still discontent with the political system in France. The lower-class working people are influenced by left-wing groups such as the Jacobins and the Girondins. Some of these people still believe their interests are not being reflected by the new government.

Question 37

What were some challenges with the first French republic?

Answer 37

Civic nationalism was challenged by a void left by the decline of the Ancien Regime and the rule of the king. This led to a power struggle between the revolutionary groups that overthrew the monarchy: the radical Jacobins and moderate Girondins. A further threat to political nationalism emerged as the revolutionaries feared that there would be an invasion from foreign threats as they attempted to reinstate a monarchy.

Question 38

What did Maximilien Robespierre do?

Answer 38

A campaign to suppress freedoms was waged against people that posed a domestic or foreign threat to the newly formed republic.
Any person deemed a threat was called an enemy of the republic. A Committee of Public Safety was formed to legislate and enforce laws that curtailed civic freedoms.

Question 39

What was the Reign of Terror?

Answer 39

An anti-democratic era known as the Reign of Terror gripped France as the Revolution evolved. This lasted from July 1793 - July 1794. Robespierre led the deadly campaign which unjustly and indiscriminately killed any person in society he deemed as dangerous to the newly formed French republic. Most were executed by guillotine and publicly displayed to subdue people through fear.

Question 40

Why did citizens of France disagree with the Reign of Terror and how did it end?

Answer 40

The Reign of Terror stood in contrast to the aspirations of liberty, equality, and fraternity stated in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. The Reign of Terror was also a betrayal of the civic nationalism the people of France fought for during the French Revolution. Robespierre and his accomplices faced the guillotine for the same charge of treason that King Louis XVI faced at his execution. The Reign of Terror came to an end in July 1794 with the execution of Robespierre.

Question 41

Explain the era of The Directory:

Answer 41

The Reign of Terror under the National Convention created a crisis in government and contributed to the continuing evolution of civic nationalism. Moderates took control of the National Convention and the Directory was formed and remained in power from 1795–1799. It created a new constitution to reflect a more conservative attitude toward French democracy. A five-member executive branch was formed to govern France.

Question 42

What were the problems with The Directory?

Answer 42

Even under the moderate rule of the Directory, problems with civic nationalism persisted. The ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity were not honoured. Restrictions were placed on voting rights that limited voting to landowners that could read and were not visible minorities. Corruption was present as government officials took bribes in return for political favours. Rapid inflation continued to leave people in poor living conditions. They cancelled elections when the results were not favourable to them. Civil uprisings continued and engagement in foreign wars persisted. Civic nationalism was challenged during this era.

Question 43

What were the Napoleonic Wars?

Answer 43

During the late 1790s, Napoleon rose to power as a military leader. Napoleon’s victories were not only against foreign threats, but he also led charges against citizens of France that were rebelling against the Directory.

Question 44

What was the March on Versailles?

Answer 44

The Women’s March on Versailles in October 1789 is often credited with forcing the royal court and family to move from the traditional seat of government in Versailles to Paris, a major and early turning point in the French Revolution. Driven to desperation by food shortages, they hoped the king would intervene - but some had more sinister ambitions.

Question 45

How did Napolean rise to power?

Answer 45

Supporters of Napoleon saw him as a brilliant state leader. He rejected the dominance of religious nationalism seen through the Catholic Church. He elevated strong feelings of civic nationalism as well as of patriotism among French nationals.

Question 46

What was the Napoleonic code?

Answer 46

The Napoleonic Code of 1804 created a singular common standard for French civil law which became the French legal system. The different applications of the law under previous regimes and governments left laws open to be abused by leaders. The Napoleonic Code was so effective that it standardized civil law across the world. Some believe that the Napoleonic Code is the most profound legacy of the French Revolution.

Question 47

The First-Estate:

Answer 47

All ordained members of the Catholic Church. They owned 10% of land, collected head taxes, paid no tax to the king, and was made of approximately 100 000 citizens.

Question 48

The Second-Estate:

Answer 48

All the titled aristocrats. They owned 25-35% of the land, were exempt from most taxes, and made of approximately 400 000 citizens.

Question 49

The Third-Estate:

Answer 49

Included bourgeoisie, peasants and urban labourers. Each individual was universally taxed 96% of the French population. The Third-Estate was made of approximately 26 000 000 citizens.