French Revolution vocab quiz Flashcards
ancien regime
old order which held ideas like absolutism/divine right, revolution leaders wanted to replace the existing society w new political, social, cultural structures
estates general
assembly that represented the entire French population through groups called estates
Edmund Burke
wrote ‘Reflections on the Revolution in France’ in which he said previous generations were wise; man is very complex so no simple decisions can be made about human nature
liberalism
being willing to accept change, wanted to manage change in best interests of society; freedom and equality would lead to higher standards of morality
Reign of Terror
period in French Revolution (1793-1794) where Committee of Public Safety had full control over French gov’t- led by Robespierre and Jacobin Party; imprisoned 500,000, executed 40,000
Olympe de Gouges
said women have the same rights as men; children born outside of marriage should get fair inheritance like kids born in marriage
John Stuart Mill
promoted freedom of individuals to pursue economic/intellectual interests- all people have right to think/live as they want; wanted universal suffrage; wanted to extend rights of freedom to women/working people; wanted free speech
ideology
coherent vision of human nature, human society, and the larger world that proposes some particular form of political and social organization as ideal
The Directory
formed when group of conservative men seized power after Robespierre was arrested by The Convention; tried to find happy medium between ancien regime and radical revolution; rule ended when Napoleon took over
conservatism
commitment to traditional values and ideas that oppose change
William Wilberforce
leading spokesman of movement to abolish slavery/slave trade; attacked Parliament about slavery on moral/religious grounds
suffrage
the right to vote
Robespierre
lawyer who dominated Committee of Public Safety + Convention; released campaign of terror to promote revolutionary agenda; wanted to eliminate influence of Christianity; wanted to replace monarchy w republic; said both terror/virtue is needed in revolution
Civil Code
revised body of civil law; helped political/legal equality of adult men + establish meritocracy; protected private property; confirmed moderate revolutionary policies got rid of radical ideas; restored patriarchal authority in family
Tennis Court Oath
National Assembly said they would stay in court until a new constitution was created
