Origins Of The French Revolution - Topic 1 Key Vocab Flashcards

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1
Q

Absolutism

A

System where the monarch has complete authority over the lives of his people

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2
Q

Ancien Règime

A

Term coined in 1790 by Mirabeau; used to describe the political and social system of France before 1789 (especially the estates system)

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3
Q

Assembly of Notables

A

Group of 144 nobles/ clergymen from across France hand – picked by the King to approve Calonne’s tax reforms in February 1787

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4
Q

Cahiers de doléance

A

Ledgers of complaints compiled in early 1789 in preparation for the meeting of the Estates – General in May 1789

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5
Q

Clergy

A

People who work for the Church: archbishops, bishops, parish priests, monks and nuns

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6
Q

Constitution

A

Set of rules by which a country is governed

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7
Q

Controller – General

A

Title taken by the minister in charge of finances in France between 1661 and 1791

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8
Q

Don gratuit

A

Instead of paying tax, the Church decided an amount that they would pay to the king every 5 years; usually amounted to 2% of their income

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9
Q

Enlightenment

A

Intellectual and cultural movement which spread across Europe during the 18th century, which questioned traditional ideas, assumptions and institutions.

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10
Q

Estate

A

Refers to people’s social standing; in France, there were three distinct estates with corresponding privileges and burdens

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11
Q

Gabelle

A

Indirect tax on salt

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12
Q

Intendant

A

Royal agent who helped him maintain his rule in the provinces and fed back information

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13
Q

Laissez – faire

A

Concept of limited government intervention so that the economy is driven by fair competition and by ‘natural laws’ of supply and demand

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14
Q

Lettre de cachet

A

Letter bearing king’s royal seal by which he could order someone to be imprisoned

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15
Q

Lit de justice

A

Royal session of the Paris Parlement for the compulsory registration of royal edicts

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16
Q

Parlement

A

High court of law which also registered royal decrees, establishing them as law

17
Q

Remonstrance

A

Document sent by a parlement to the monarch protesting against a royal decree

18
Q

Revolt of the Nobles

A

Series of uncoordinated and sporadic uprisings across France in the spring/ summer of 1788, often led by nobles

19
Q

Taille

A

Direct tax on land paid only by peasants

20
Q

Venality

A

Practice of selling government jobs/ offices