French Revolution & Napoleon

Question 1

King Louis XVI

Answer 1

King of France during the French Revolution. Characterized by his poor leadership qualities and ineffectiveness in dealing with the issues surrounding the revolution. Was executed by the guillotine.

Question 2

Marie Antoinette

Answer 2

Queen of France, wife of Louis XVI. From Austria, marriage is a political alliance. Hated by the people of France. Executed by guillotine.

Question 3

Guillotine

Answer 3

Official means of execution adopted during the French Revolution. Meant to make death quick and painless for all. Equality in death for the people of France.

Question 4

Women’s March on Versailles

Answer 4

Angry Parisian women, angry at the price of bread, stormed to the Palace of Versailles, butchered guards, took the King & Queen hostage back to Paris.

Question 5

Ancien Regime (Old Regime)

Answer 5

The traditional system in France of society divided into a hierarchy. Feudalism (3 Estates system)

Question 6

1st Estate

Answer 6

The Clergy (church workers). About 1% of population. Didn’t pay taxes, were quite wealthy and powerful.

Question 7

2nd Estate

Answer 7

The Nobility (Aristocracy). About 3% of population. Very wealthy, powerful, didn’t pay taxes, had many privileges.

Question 8

3rd Estate

Answer 8

Those not Clergy or Nobility. Made up of the peasants and bourgeoisie. About 97% of population. Little power and paid high taxes.

Question 9

Divine Right of Kings

Answer 9

Belief that the King gets his power from God, and rules on God’s behalf. Challenging the King then meant challenging God.

Question 10

The Enlightenment

Answer 10

An intellectual revolution. A time of radical new ideas that challenged many of the long-held beliefs in France. Believed all men should be equal.

Question 11

Motto of the French Revolution

Answer 11

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

Question 12

Economic Causes of the Revolution

Answer 12

Poor tax collecting system, lavish lifestyle of the Royals, price of bread, financing the American Revolution

Question 13

Social Causes of the Revolution

Answer 13

New ideas (Enlightenment), social order (3 estates system), growing middle class (bourgeoisie)

Question 14

Storming of the Bastille

Answer 14

Peasant stormed the Bastille prison (a royal prison) looking for gunpowder and kill the guards. Seen as an attack on the King. Marks the beginning of the Revolution.

Question 15

Absolutism

Answer 15

When the ruler has absolute (total) power. The ruler cannot be challenged.

Question 16

Egalitarianism

Answer 16

A belief sparked by the Enlightenment that all people are equal and should have equal rights and opportunities

Question 17

The Reign of Terror

Answer 17

The period of the Revolution in which many people were executed on suspicion of being against the revolution. A time of great fear in France. Led by Robespierre.

Question 18

Maximillien Robespierre

Answer 18

Rises to power during the French Revolution. Orders many to their deaths. Becomes dictator and King Louis.

Question 19

Napoleon Bonaparte

Answer 19

French Emperor. Rises through the ranks of the French army, carries out a coup d’etat to overthrow the French government and seize power. Conquers much of Europe and reforms the political and economic systems within France.

Question 20

Napoleonic Code

Answer 20

The banking and legal reforms carried out by Napoleon. Considered very effective.

Question 21

Continental System

Answer 21

Napoleon’s strategy for defeating Britain. Blocks all trade to or from Britain with the continent of Europe. Fails when Russia withdraws from it.

Question 22

Elba

Answer 22

A Mediterranean island that Napoleon is exiled to after defeat. He escapes and takes over power once again, only to be defeated and exiled a second time.

Question 23

St. Helena

Answer 23

A remote island in the Atlantic that Napoleon is exiled to after defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. He will die here.

Question 24

Why did Napoleon’s forces lose to Russia?

Answer 24

They were not equipped for the Russian winter. Many soldiers froze to death. Napoleon’s army was left weakened, an opportunity for his European enemies.

Question 25

Scorched Earth Policy

Answer 25

A military strategy of burning or destroying buildings, crops, or other resources that might be of use to an invading enemy force. Used by the Russians on Napoleon’s invading army.