The French Revolution Flashcards
What is a political revolution
A total change in the system of government
When does a political revolution start
When people have been dissatisfied with conditions of the country for a long time. They see no other way for things to change other than to rise up and overthrow the leaders.
What do historians argue about revolutions
They happen when people has hope that changes will be made but they are never carried out. The disappointment is more likely to bring a revolution than if there is no hope or when oppression is at its worst.
What was the calling together of parliament called and when did it take place
The Estates General
1789
What was the UK like at the time
The king shared his power with the parliament (his power was not absolute)
What was Russia like at this time
The ruler (aka the Tsar) had absolute power. It was a feudal system.
What are the four types of revolution
Political (change in government)
Economic (industrial revolution)
Cultural (change in music styles)
Technological (the computer revolution)
What made the French Revolution possible
- people did not like the political system or social structure
- influence of new ideas on freedom and equality
- economic crisis (conditions of poverty and hunger)
- disappointment of the Estates General to rise tax
What kind of government did France have in 1789
An absolute monarchy
What was their form of parliament
The Estates General
What was the problem with the Estates General
They could only meet if the king allowed it to
How long had it been since the Estates General had met
175 years
Who was the king in 1789
King Louis XVI
How did the king come into power
He inherited the position from his grandfather
Was the king a good leader, what did this lead to
No, it lead to making educated people begin to question the system of an absolute monarchy.
Why was the king not a good one
He didn’t want to be king, he was more interested in hunting and spending time with his family, Louis also enjoys long walks on the beach and star gazing.
Why was France in dept
They had been involved in many wars during the 18th century and the government had to borrow many to pay fourfold, weapons and wages for the army.
In 1780 they had to borrow more money to pay only the interest on these debts.
They didn’t collect enough taxes as the wealthy didn’t have to pay taxes.
What are the three estates (social classes) of France
The first estate - the clergy (the church)
The second estate - the nobles (inherited titles)
The third estate - the rest (middle class, urban workers and poorer farmers aka the peasants)
What was the French name for the middle class
The bourgeoisie
Who were the bourgeoisie
The business people like shopkeepers and professional people like doctors and lawyers, generally they were well educated and some even wealthy.
Most were best qualified to play leading roles but positions were almost always given to nobles
Why was the middle class frustrated
By their lack of opportunity and political power. They wanted a system based on merit. They criticized the lack of speech and laws which restricted trade. The disliked the facts that the law did not treat everyone as equal.
Who was the largest part of the population.
Peasant farmers who mostly worked on land owned by the church and the nobles.
What was the idea that the king was chosen by the gods
The Divine Right of Kings
What did philosophers urge people to do during this time, what was this time called
To question ideas like the divine right of kings and to think critically instead of accepting the words of those in power,
It was called the “Age of Enlightenment”
Who was the philosopher that criticized the church for being corrupt and worldly, what else did he speak out about, what happened to him
Voltaire, he spoke out about injustice and believed everyone should be able to express their opinions freely.
He was imprisoned many times in the Bastille jail and was later in exile for 20 years.
What is a revolution
A time when a dramatic change happens
