terms and definitions

Question 1

Revolution

Answer 1

A revolution is a huge change in society. It can refer to a violent uprising, but it does not always involve violence. For example, the Industrial Revolution was a result of innovation in technology which resulted in increased production. This in turn changed the economy and led to mass-scale urbanisation.

Question 2

Rebellion

Answer 2

Open resistance to a government or authority.

Question 3

Riot

Answer 3

A form of civil disorder usually involving a group violently causing public disorder against authority, property, or people.

Question 4

The state

Answer 4

This refers to the country as a whole, but as the government is in charge of the running of the country, it often refers to the government.

Question 5

Coup d’état

Answer 5

A military overthrow of the government.

Question 6

Monarchy

Answer 6

A state with a king or queen as its leader.

Question 7

Divine Right of Kings

Answer 7

The idea that royal leaders were chosen by God to rule.

Question 8

Social Stratification

Answer 8

A system of class division (for example, the Estate system in France).

Question 9

Hierarchy

Answer 9

A system in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.

Question 10

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

Answer 10

The motto of the French Revolution. Liberty means freedom and fraternity means brotherhood. Another word for equality is fairness or parity.

Question 11

Estates General

Answer 11

The system of French parliament before the revolution. Representatives from each Estate would advise the King, but only if they were called to meet.

Question 12

Municipality

Answer 12

A section of a country or city that has a local form of government.

Question 13

Feudalism

Answer 13

A system of land ownership and usage that was used widely in Europe during the Middle Ages. A feudal system is based on the principle that everyone has responsibilities to the land, the country as a whole and the King. Most of these responsibilities fell to the poorest and most vulnerable members of the population, who were mostly rural farmers. The responsibilities of the royal family and the wealthy classes were usually hypothetical and never enforced, which led to great inequality and hardship.

Question 14

Bureaucracy

Answer 14

A system of government in which most of the important decisions are taken by state officials rather than by elected representatives.

Question 15

Secular

Answer 15

Not connected with religion or spirituality.

Question 16

Moderate

Answer 16

A person or political group that is neither radical nor conservative. Also called “centrists”.

Question 17

Radical

Answer 17

A person or political group who promotes thorough or total political or social change.

Question 18

Conservative

Answer 18

A person or political group who does not want change or innovation and who holds traditional values.

Question 19

Aristocracy

Answer 19

The highest class in certain societies, especially those holding inherited titles or offices.

Question 20

Ancien Régime

Answer 20

Literally meaning “old rule”, the political and social system in France from the 15th century until the Revolution.

Question 21

Bourgeoisie

Answer 21

A French term that refers to the middle class. This class of people held professional jobs (doctors, lawyers, etc) and were relatively wealthy, but still formed part of the Third Estate.

Question 22

Republic

Answer 22

A government whose head of state is not a king or queen.

Question 23

Conscription

Answer 23

Compulsory military service.

Question 24

Tribunal

Answer 24

A court or committee which settles certain types of dispute.

Question 25

Despotic

Answer 25

held complete and total power

Question 26

Nationalism

Answer 26

Identifying with a nation

Question 27

The revocation of the Edit Nantes

Answer 27

forbade exercising the Protestant faith and any migrating of Protestants.

Question 28

aristocratic revolution

Answer 28

a financial crisis originating with the war in America. Necker had financed the war by borrowing, and his successor, Calonne, had used the same method to pay off arrears.

Question 29

feudalism

Answer 29

the nobility held lands from the Crown in exchange for military service, and vassals were in turn tenants of the nobles, while the peasants (villeins or serfs) were obliged to live on their lord’s land and give him homage

Question 30

Nepolenic Code

Answer 30

A Stream lined legal system