French Revolution Vocab Flashcards
French King who personified absolute monarchy, set up the system at Versailles, and spent a lot of money trying to expand France
Louis XIV
King of France during the French Revolution - known for being indecisive, forced to accept a constitutional monarchy and later guillotined in 1793
Louis XVI
The traditional political and social order in Europe before the French Revolution
Ancien Regime
financial expert of Louis XVI, he advised Louis to reduce court spending, tax the first and second estates, abolish tariffs on internal trade in order to avoid bankruptcy - also started borrowing large sums from foreign banks. Very popular with the middle/working classes
Necker
Queen of France (as wife of Louis XVI) who was unpopular her extravagance and opposition to reform contributed to the overthrow of the monarchy; she was guillotined in 1793
Marie Antoinette
A philosophical movement in the 1800s that criticized absolutism and pushed for Constitutionals and individual rights
Enlightenment
France’s traditional national assembly with representatives of the three estates, or classes, in French society: the clergy, nobility, and commoners.
Estates General
The majority of France - everyone but the nobles & clergy
Third Estate
list of grievances drawn up by delegates going to the meeting of the estates general - generally asking for political freedom and economic protection
Cahiers
created by the Third Estate after they were refused better representation in the Estates-General of 1789, they passed laws and reforms in the name of the French people; in effect proclaiming the end of absolute monarchy and beginning of representative government-first deliberate act of revolution
National Assembly
A pledge made by the members of France’s National Assembly in 1789, in which they vowed to continue meeting until they had drawn up a new constitution
Tennis Court Oath
In the French Revolution, a radical group made up of Parisian wage-earners, and small shopkeepers who wanted a greater voice in government, lower prices, and an end of food shortages
Sans-culottes
French nobility who fled country to escape the Revolution - French politicians later argued over whether to let them back in or accuse them of treason
Emigres
Statement of fundamental political rights adopted by the French National Assembly at the beginning of the French Revolution. - things like the right to life, property etc.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
October 5-6, 1789
A spontaneous demonstration of Parisian women for bread - ended with a crowd forcing the Queen & King to leave Versailles and move back to Paris as semi-prisoners of the mob
March of the women
The National Assembly’s decree in 1790 limiting the power of the Church and clergy in France by forcing them to sign an oath of allegiance to the government - condemned by the Pope and caused a split in Revolutionary supporters
Civil Constitution of the Clergy
The Royal Family’s attempt to flee France June 20-21, 1791 - seen as an act of treason by many French people
Flight to Varennes
More radical French government that created a republic - created as a result of the August 10 1792 insurrection that deposed the monarchy
National Convention
Established and led by Robespierre, fixed bread prices and nationalized some businesses. Basically secret police and also controlled the war effort. Instigated the Reign of Terror.
Committee of Public Safety
Radical republicans during the French Revolution. They were led by Maximilien Robespierre from 1793 to 1794.
Jacobins
“The incorruptible;” the leader of the bloodiest portion of the French Revolution. He set out to build a republic of virtue and eliminate any threats to the new government
Maximilien Robespierre
Paper currency issued by the French Revolutionary government - initially backed by land taken from the Church and sold. Too much inflation made them worthless within a short period of time
Assignats
Moderate political faction during the French Revolution who favored using success in foreign war to strengthen France, tended to have support in the countryside instead of Paris, and did not support killing Louis XVI
Girondins
Country Marie Antoinette is from, 1st country to go to war with France
Austria
(1793-94) during the French Revolution when thousands were executed for “disloyalty”
Reign of Terror
cult created by Robespierre, where enthusiasm for the Revolution was the object of their worship - meant to replace the Catholic Church and disliked by most French citizens
Supreme being
law that alleged enemies of the revolution were brought before Revolutionary Tribunals that were created to hear cases of treason - very limited evidence was needed for conviction and treason was punished with death
Law of Suspects
device used during the Reign of Terror to execute thousands by beheading
Guillotine
A reaction to the violence of the Reign of Terror in 1794, resulting in the execution of Robespierre and the loosening of economic controls.
Thermidorian Reaction
5 man executive branch of government proposed and adopted in France in 1795 meant to bring stability back after the Reign of Terror - but had lots of corruption instead
Directory
Wrote an essay called “What is the 3rd estate” Argued that lower classes were more important than the nobles and the government should be responsible to the people.
Abbe Sieyes
Overthrew French Directory in 1799 and became emperor of the French in 1804. Failed to defeat Russia or Great Britain and abdicated in 1814. Returned to power briefly in 1815 but was defeated and died in exile.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Counter revolution led by conservative forces (nobles, clergy, and the peasantry) - upset over the Civil Constitution of the Clergy and requisitions for the Revolutionary army
Vendee
Supporters of the French Monarchy
Royalists
Radical French journalist who wrote “Friend of the People” that was assassinated by Charlotte Corday
Marat
A group of nobles and aristocrats invited by the king of France to discuss reform of the government.
Assembly of Notables
When French citizens threw tiles at federal soldiers trying to enforce tax reform
Day of Tiles
The violent response to Turgot’s introduction of free trade in grain in 1775.
Flour Wars
Set price for bread to make it more affordable
Grain maxim
French thinkers who focused on economic reforms; based their thinking on free trade
physiocrat
A form of government, usually hereditary monarchy, in which the ruler has no legal limits on his or her power.
Absolutism
