Lecture 03 The French Revolution Flashcards
Why is the French Revolution considered one of the most important revolutions in European history?
It transformed an absolute monarchy into a republic and introduced democratic experimentation, creating new political and social challenges.
What were some key achievements of the French Revolution?
-Equality before the law
-Transformation of government structures
-Maintenance of order despite challenges
What challenge did the French Revolution face in creating a historical legacy?
It lacked a clear “pantheon of heroes,” reflecting its contested and violent legacy.
How does the French Revolution align with Crane Brinton’s “fever chart” of revolutions?
The French Revolution closely follows Brinton’s theory, unlike the American Revolution, with significant cycles of radical change and counter-reaction.
What major issue accompanied the creation of the French Republic?
The process produced violence and a counterrevolution that ultimately led to the protection of revolutionary gains under Napoleon Bonaparte’s dictatorship.
What did Marx and Engels argue about the French Revolution in The Communist Manifesto?
They saw it as a class-based (bourgeois) revolution that primarily benefited the emerging professional classes, requiring further revolution to extend the benefits of modern industrial technology to everyone.
How did Alexis de Tocqueville view the French Revolution in The Old Regime and the Revolution?
He argued that by destroying class privileges, the revolution removed barriers to state expansion, resulting in a more powerful central authority rather than a broader benefit for the masses.
How do the perspectives of Marx and Engels differ from those of Tocqueville regarding the Revolution?
Marx and Engels saw it as a progressive step benefiting “the masses.”
Tocqueville offered a cautious view, suggesting the state ultimately benefited more than the people.
What are the two main questions scholars ask about the French Revolution?
1.Why did the Revolution become so radical?
2.Why did it occur in a seemingly wealthy and prosperous society?
What societal tensions existed in pre-revolutionary France?
There was a clash between older customs and traditions and new ideas, technologies, and inventions.
How was pre-revolutionary French society structured?
It was a rigidly hierarchical feudal society with:
-First Estate: Clergy (~120,000 members)
-Second Estate: Nobility (~350,000 members)
-Third Estate: Everyone else (~27 million people, 98% of the population)
On what principles was the Old Regime based?
The Old Regime was founded on hierarchy and privilege, supported by the assumption of the Divine Right of Kings.
How was King Louis XVI perceived by the people?
The people generally liked King Louis XVI, though his wife, Marie Antoinette, was much less popular.
What attempts did Louis XVI make to address societal issues?
He sought to reform the state using Enlightenment ideals, although the hierarchical Old Regime conditioned France’s society before 1789.
What is the order of the hierarchy?
Pope/Church –> Monarch –> Nobles –> Knights/Vassals –> Merchants/Farmers/Craftsmen –> Peasants/Serfs
Who is credited as the author of Little Red Riding Hood?
Charles Perrault, in 1697.
What is the origin of the Little Red Riding Hood tale?
It is a French folk tale dating back to the 11th century.
How did Perrault modify the story?
He cleaned up parts of the tale to make it more appropriate for children.
Why was the marriage between Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette significant?
It was designed to cement an alliance between France and Austria after decades of mistrust.
Why was Marie Antoinette disliked by the French people?
-She was of Austrian origin, which aroused suspicion.
-Louis XVI’s timidity and indifference did not help her reputation.
Did Marie Antoinette’s lifestyle significantly contribute to France’s debt?
No, her spending played only a minor role in the state’s financial troubles.
How did Marie Antoinette contribute to her unpopularity?
-She retreated into a close group of friends who were political liabilities.
-She became the subject of rumors about lavish tastes and advancing Austrian interests.
How did the inability to produce a male heir affect Marie Antoinette’s reputation?
It fueled rumors of infidelity and encouraged rivals for the throne.
Did the birth of her second son in 1785 improve her reputation?
It did little to quell the rumors and contempt against her.
How was the American Revolution (1775–1783) linked to the French Revolution?
-It inspired debate in intellectual circles about republicanism.
-French military and financial support for the American Revolution worsened France’s debt and economic downturn.
How did France finance its involvement in the American Revolution?
By borrowing money, which compounded the financial crisis.
What economic agreement contributed to France’s financial struggles in the 1780s?
The Eden Treaty (1786), a free trade deal with England.
What were the terms of the Eden Treaty?
It established Most Favored Nation status, allowing low tariffs and high quotas for goods between the two nations.
What was the impact of the Eden Treaty on France?
-British manufactured goods flooded French markets.
-Unemployment increased in France’s pre-industrial economy.
What additional crisis worsened the economic situation in France?
A growing agrarian crisis caused by a series of crop failures.
How did these financial issues affect Louis XVI’s government?
They seemingly confounded all attempts to solve the financial crisis in the 1780s.
Why did Louis XVI summon the Estates General in 1789?
-Financial crisis became critical by 1788.
-Reform was needed, but the Second Estate wouldn’t pass new taxes without it.
When was the last time the Estates General met before 1789?
In 1614.
What was the purpose of summoning the Estates General?
To address grievances and figure out necessary reforms.
What are cahiers de doléances, and how many were drawn up?
They are lists of grievances drawn up by the French people; 60,000 were created.
What was the agreement among the Estates?
The days of absolute monarchy were over, but it was unclear what would replace it.
What happened to royal censorship in the winter of 1788-89?
It decayed and collapsed.
How did the collapse of censorship impact the public?
More pamphlets were produced discussing the role and status of the Third Estate.
What was Louis XVI’s attitude toward reform?
He was ambivalent—didn’t want to reform but couldn’t run the state due to the economic crisis.
How did the nobles view the crisis?
As an opportunity to regain lost power and influence.
What were the main complaints of the Third Estate?
-Financial burdens from the seigniorial system.
-Tithes collected by the church.
-Royal taxes.
-Rising bread prices due to crop failures in 1788-89.
What rumor spread among the peasantry?
That there was an “aristocratic conspiracy” to oppress them.
When did the Estates General first convene?
May 5, 1789.
What caused frustration on the second day of the Estates General?
A procedural deadlock over how France would be represented, which dragged on for weeks.
What was the result of the deadlock?
The Estates General devolved into separate sessions for each of the three Estates.
