French Revolution Defs and People Flashcards
Guillotine
A device use for beheading a person by means of a sharp heavy blade that is dropped
Tennis court oath
The third estate vowed to meet continuously until the government changed
San culottes
From big cities in the lower class. They wanted the prices to be lowered and to have bread supplied for the poor
Great fear
Peasants stormed and burned the chateaux of the aristocrats killing hundreds of people
Fall of bastilles
Riots and mobs broke out. They attacked prisons and freed political prisoners. They eventually attacked the royal prison and the guards sided with them
Palace of Versailles
Extravagant palace that Louis XVI built with the money from taxes
Citizen Louis Capet
The name that King Louis was called by after the declaration. Since there was no more King he was an official citizen. (Capet was his last name)
Declaration of the right of man and the citizen
Passed by the National Assembly. Document saying that there were laws that the government couldn’t overlook. Gaurenteed freedom of thought speech religion security and property
Marat Danton and Robespierre
Radicals who lead the revolution. They would eventually take control of the National Assembly. Marat was muedered by Charlotte Corday, and the others were executed.
Estates general/three estates
Parliament that met only when there was a royal command. 1st was clergy 2nd was aristocrats 3rd was middle class. Louis called them because he needed financial help
Girondists
Originally jacobins, to conservative so became their own club.
Jacobins
A club. They were radicals and were responsible for the reign of terror.
Reign of terror
Government passed laws made to execute anyone who disagreed with the Jacobins. The majority of the Girondists died over 37,000 people were guillotined.
Directory
Took over after Robespierre died. Controlled by the middle class. So many ideas and concepts the Poor had were soon swept away. The directory soon ended and Napoleon Bonaparte took over
Philosophers
People who talked about society and spread new ideas
French society pyramid top to bottom
King
Aristocrats
Bourgeoisie
Peasants and workers
Bourgeoisie
Middle class Important to economy for investing in new businesses
Louis XIV
Known as Sun King
Believed he was the source of all light in the nation
Built the palace of Versailles
Promoted his interests and expanded French territory by taking part in many wars
Majorly unsuccessful
Died in 1715
Peasants
Very poor
Couldn’t read or write, lack of education
Worked hard without much in return
Louis XVI
Not prepared to be king
Left many big decisions up to others
Did little for middle and lower classes
Didn’t have support from the bourgeoisie
Marie Antoinette
Married Louis XVI in 1770
Was disliked because she was from the Austrian family
Offended many with her manners
Spent fortunes on herself while others starved
Strong opinions but no experience to back them up
Execute people just because she didn’t like them
Philosophes
Disliked absolute monarchies and liked democracy
Jean jaques Rousseau
Thought society needed a contract that everyone had to follow
Many ideas are still used now
Voltaire
Most famous of 3
Believed in an absolute monarchy
Against the church and for freedom of thought
Fled country multiple times to escape prison
