Social Final 20-1 Flashcards
What were the immediate causes of the French Revolution?
- Financial Crisis – France’s debts from wars, including aiding the American Revolution.
- Poor Harvests – Widespread famine led to high bread prices.
- Weak Leadership – King Louis XVI was indecisive and out of touch with the people.
What were the underlying causes of the French Revolution?
- Social Inequality – The Estates system.
- Economic Inequality – The burden of taxes on the poor and peasants.
- Enlightenment Ideas – Ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity spread across France.
What was the Ancien Régime?
The Ancien Régime refers to the old feudal social and political structure in France before the Revolution. It consisted of the king, nobles, and clergy, with the Third Estate (commoners) bearing most of the tax burden.
What were the Three Estates of France?
- First Estate: Clergy – Church officials, wealthy and powerful.
- Second Estate: Nobility – Landowners, exempt from many taxes.
- Third Estate: Commoners – 98% of the population, including peasants, urban workers, and the bourgeoisie.
How did the Three Estates function politically?
- The First and Second Estates had special privileges and political power.
- The Third Estate had little political representation, leading to resentment and eventual calls for reform.
What was the feudal system in France?
The feudal system was a hierarchical structure where peasants worked land owned by the nobles and paid taxes, while the nobles were granted land by the king. This system created vast social and economic inequalities.
What were the classes in the feudal system?
- King – At the top of the hierarchy.
- Nobles – Land-owning aristocrats with power and privilege.
- Clergy – Church leaders with influence over social and moral matters.
- Peasants and Serfs – Worked the land, had limited rights, and were heavily taxed.
Was there social mobility in the feudal system?
No, the feudal system was rigid. Peasants had little opportunity to move up in society, and social classes were determined by birth.
What was the Estates General?
The Estates General was a meeting of representatives from all three estates, called by King Louis XVI in 1789 to address France’s financial crisis. The Third Estate was underrepresented, leading to conflict.
What was the Tennis Court Oath?
The Tennis Court Oath was a pledge made by members of the Third Estate in June 1789, vowing not to disband until they had written a new constitution for France, marking the beginning of the National Assembly.
What was the Storming of the Bastille?
On July 14, 1789, angry Parisians stormed the Bastille, a symbol of royal tyranny, marking the start of the French Revolution.
What was the Women’s March on Versailles?
In October 1789, thousands of women marched to the Palace of Versailles to demand bread and force Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette back to Paris.
What was the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen?
This was a key document of the French Revolution, passed in 1789, outlining individual freedoms and equality, inspired by Enlightenment ideals.
What was the Napoleonic Code?
The Napoleonic Code (1804) was a set of civil laws that emphasized equality before the law, the protection of private property, and the abolition of feudal privileges.
What was the Levee en Masse?
The Levee en Masse was a policy of mass conscription instituted by Napoleon during the French Revolutionary Wars, requiring all able-bodied men to serve in the military.
What is Civic Nationalism?
Civic nationalism is based on the idea of nationhood defined by shared values, laws, and political institutions. An example is French nationalism during the Revolution, where citizenship was based on allegiance to the nation and its democratic ideals.
What is Ethnic Nationalism?
Ethnic nationalism is based on common ethnicity, culture, and heritage. An example is German nationalism in the 19th century, where ethnic Germans sought political unity.
What is the difference between a Nation and a Nation-State?
A nation is a group of people who share common characteristics (language, culture, religion), while a nation-state is a political entity where a single nation exists within the borders of a sovereign state.
What are examples of contending loyalties in nationalism?
Examples include tensions between national loyalties and regional or ethnic identities (e.g., Quebec nationalism in Canada vs. Canadian national identity).
What were the MAIN causes of World War I?
- Militarism – Arms race and military buildup.
- Alliances – Political and military alliances between countries.
- Imperialism – Competition for colonies and resources.
- Nationalism – National pride and independence movements.
What was the Treaty of Versailles?
The Treaty of Versailles (1919) officially ended World War I. It imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including reparations, loss of territory, and military restrictions. It aimed to prevent future wars but sowed seeds for World War II.
What was Wilson’s 14 Points?
Wilson’s 14 Points were principles proposed by Woodrow Wilson for peace negotiations, promoting ideas like self-determination for nations and the establishment of a League of Nations.
What was the role of the League of Nations?
The League of Nations was established after WWI to promote collective security and resolve disputes between nations diplomatically, but it was ultimately ineffective due to the absence of the United States and lack of enforcement powers.
What is Ultranationalism?
Ultranationalism is an extreme form of nationalism that emphasizes the superiority of one’s nation and often leads to aggressive expansion, intolerance, and militarism. Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy are examples.
What was the cause of World War II?
The causes included treaty grievances, the rise of totalitarian regimes, expansionism by Nazi Germany, Italy, and Japan, and the failure of appeasement by Western democracies.
How did propaganda play a role in World War II?
Propaganda was used to mobilize citizens, promote patriotism, demonize enemies, and justify war crimes. Both Allied and Axis powers used propaganda to influence public opinion and rally support for the war effort.
What is appeasement?
Appeasement refers to the policy of giving in to the demands of a hostile power (like Nazi Germany) in order to avoid conflict. The most famous example is the Munich Agreement (1938), where Britain and France allowed Hitler to annex Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland.
What is isolationism?
Isolationism is a foreign policy where a country avoids involvement in international conflicts or alliances. Prior to World War II, the United States followed an isolationist policy, avoiding European conflicts.
What is expansionism?
Expansionism is the policy of a country extending its territory or influence through military or political means. Notable examples are Nazi Germany’s expansion into Eastern Europe, Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia, and Japan’s occupation of Manchuria.
