The French Revolution Flashcards
What year did the French Revolution begin
1789
What year did the French Revolution end
1799
How long did the French Revolution last
10 years
What political system did France have before the revolution
An absolute monarchy
Who was in power when the French Revolution started
King Louis XVI (16)
What did France go from an absolute monarchy to
A democracy
What was the motto of the people who were most involved in the Revolution
Liberty, equality and fraternity
What did the people that were involved most in the war want
They demanded freedom from the laws that kept them in poverty and imposed harsh punishment on them. They wanted to be free individuals on a free society.
Why did other European countries attack France
Because they saw the change and became alarmed by them
How did Haiti become independent
The slaves rise up and revolted against their owners.
What and who did the French Revolution inspire
It inspired uprisings in Europe and the Americas. They wanted a democratic system of government
What did the French Revolution make people aware of
The need of democracy. It showed them that it was not right for the leaders to keep their people in poverty without any opportunity to improve their lives
What was the French Revolution an example of
Of how people managed to overturn a powerful government, and tried to replace it with a better one, so that they could be free, equal and share sense of unity and brotherhood with other people in the country.
What is a Revolution
When A dramatic change happens
What was the French Revolution
A political revolution( a total change in the system of government ).
How does a revolution usually start
It usually starts when many people have been dissatisfied with conditions in the country for a long time. People see no other way to bring about change, so they rise up and overthrow the leaders.
What is another reason for a revolution
When people have hopes that changes will be made soon, and then the changes are not carried out. The disappointment and frustration is more likely to cause a revolution than when there is no hope of positive change and oppression is at its worst
Which of the two causes for a revolution applied to France
The second one. When the meeting of the estates general was called, false hope was created amongst the people, they thought that the king was finally going to bring about change. When he didn’t, and he raised the tax rates, the revolution started.
What was the estates general
It was the French parliament
What other types of revolutions are there
Economic, political, cultural, technological
What is an example of an economic revolution
Industrial revolution
What is an example of a cultural revolution
Major change in art or music
What is an example of a technological revolution
Computer revolution
What is an example of a political revolution
French Revolution
Why did the French Revolution start
Because there were many things about the political and social structure in France that the people did not like
What were people influenced by
The spread of new ideas about freedom and equality and ideas about how a country should be governed
What lead to the outbreak of revolution in France
An economic crisis. The poor people were hungry and had no money to buy bread. The meeting of the estates general was actually to increase the taxes on the third estate and not to make things better, keeping the poor people poor and virtually starving the.
What did it mean for France to be an absolute monarchy
It meant that the king had complete and total power. He had the right to appoint all government ministers, and make all the decisions and laws.
Was it here a French parliament
Yes, in theory there was, but it could only meet if the king allowed it to. It was called the estates general and was made up of elected representatives. The estates general had not met for 175 years, so the king had total power ( whatever he said would be the law ). He could put people in jail without trial
How did king Louis XVI become king
He inherited the throne from his grandfather
What kind of leader was king Louis XVI
He was not a good leader. The educated people in France began to question the system of absolute monarchy.
Did king Louis XVI want to be king
No, he was more interested in hunting and spending time with his family.
What were the 4 main causes of the French Revolution
Social
Economic
Political
Spread of new ideas
What was the economic situation in France
France was in debt as a result of the wars it had previously been involved in ( 18th century )The country had borrowed large amounts of money to pay for food, weapons and wages for the army. By the 1780’s France had borrowed more money, just to pay for the interest on the debts. The king and queen also had a very expensive lifestyle and. They had an inefficient tax system, as the people who were taxed, were the people with less money, people with wealth ( nobles, church and king ) did not have to pay tax.
Who was most heavily taxed
The third estate. The peasants and the middle class were most heavily taxed.
Who was not taxed, but should have been
The first and second estate, they were the nobles and the church, the people with the most money
What were the three groups/social classes ( estates )
The first estate
The second estate
The third estate
Who was the first estate
The clergy: people who worked for the Roman Catholic Church. The church owned a great deal of land and many high officials of the church were wealthy
Who was the second estate
The nobles : they inherited their titles and many special rights and privileges from the feudal system. Many nobles also owned large pieces of land. They held all the main positions ( in church, army and government )
Who was the third estate
The rest of the population. They were responsible for paying all of the taxes. They felt like it was their hard work and ,about that was supporting the whole system. The started to become very critical of the first and second estate
Who were included in the third estate
The middle class, urban workers and poorer farmers ( peasants )
What percentage of the population did the third estate make up
98% of the population
What did peasant farmers to
They produced food by their own labour, but did not always own the land they worked on
What did urban workers do
They sold their labour for pay, but did not own the produce that was produced
What did the middle class consist of
People such as traders who had both money and tools for producing goods
King :
Had all the power
First estate :
Clergy: had wealth, powers and feudal privileges
Second estate :
Nobles: had wealth, power and feudal privilege
Third estate :
Middle class ( traders and professional people ) : limited opportunity and no free speech
Workers in city of Paris and some towns: very poor living conditions
Peasant farmers : paid most taxes, very poor
What is the French name for middle class
Bourgeoisie
Who were the bourgeoisie
They were the business people like shopkeepers and professional people like doctors or lawyers( lived in towns ). They were mostly well educated, and some were wealthy.
Were the middle class qualified to play leading roles in the country
Many of them were best qualified, but the roles almost always went to the nobles
Why were the middle class frustrated
By the lack of opportunity and political power. They wanted the system to be based on merit.
What are classes
They are defined by the relationship of people to resources
What is merit
Getting what you deserve
What was not allowed
Criticism of the king or the church
What did the middle class criticise
They criticised the lack of freedom of speech and the laws which restricted trade
What were customs duties
Taxes on goods coming into or going out of the country.
What did the middle class dislike
That the law did not treat everyone as equals. People from the third estate could be sentenced to a more cruel form of punishment than people from the other two estates, even if they had committed the same crime
What caused the small number of workers in towns
The fact that , at that time, France did not have many industries or factories.
Where wa at he largest group of people
In Paris, the main city.
What were the living conditions of the people living in Paris like
They were not paid well, and their living conditions were poor.
Why was there growing anger amongst the people living in Paris
Because of their living and working condition. The price of living was rising, but their wages were not.
Where did most of the farmers work
On land that was owned by nobles or the church
What is the estimated present age of tax that the poorest peasants has to pay
Up to 80% of their earnings
Who did the peasants pay taxes to
The government, church and their landlords
How did the spread of new ideas impact the French Revolution
Poor hundreds of years people accepted the authority of their rulers and of the church and did what they were told. The church was powerful and people accepted the king’s Divine right to to rule( king/ queen chosen by God ) during the 18th century, philosophers began to question these ideas and encouraged people to thing for themselves
What was the Age of Enlightenment
A time where people stated to break off from the church and think for themselves.
Who were the philosophers and what did they do
They were mostly French and wrote critically about the French governments and social structure. Educated people began to read their books and started to see a possibility for change.
Who was Voltaire
He was a philosopher that criticised the church for being corrupt and worldly. He also believed that everyone should have freedom to speak and freely express their opinions. He spoke out against injustice
Who was imprisoned in the Bastille and for what were they sentenced for.
Voltaire spoke out so strongly that he was imprisoned in the Bastille multiple times. He later spent 20 years in exile from France
What is worldly
Focussing of wealth and material items rather than on religious matters.
Who was Diderot
He was the leaders of a group of philosophers called the Encyclopaedists. They set out to write an encyclopaedia of all existing knowledge. As they were writing it they even more critical of the situation in France.
What wa she point of the encyclopaedia
It was widely read and gave people acces to more ideas, SAN stated to let people think for themselves. ( started to form their own opinions ). People no longer depended on nobility and the church to tell them what to do.
Who was Montesquieu
He stressed the need for a parliament elected by the people, independent judges ( not controlled by the king ), and a king whose power was controlled by the law and parliament.
Which philosopher had the most influence
Rousseau
Who was Rousseau
He believed that everyone should be equal and that rulers where not chosen by God, but should represent the people. This was the basis of democracy
Who’s ideas played an important role in bring about change
Rousseau’ ideas.
Where did the slogan, “liberty, equality and fraternity” come fro.
Rousseau’s writings
How did the American war influence the French Revolution.
Some of the new ideas of government came from America. In 1776, British colonists in North America declared I dependable count from the British rule. When Britain didn’t accept this, America fought a war of independence against Britain. France sent soldiers to help fight with the Americans because Britain was an old enemy. After America became independent, some of the French philosopher’s ideas were included in the constitution
What was the economic crisis in 1789
The cost of sending the French army to fight in the American war of independence caused an economic crisis. By 1789 France was completely bankrupt. It was made worse because of poor harvests, food shortages and rising bread prices. The king”s advisor decided that the only way to fix this economic crisis was to call a meeting of the estates general to raise the tax prices. People got very excited when they heard that king Louis XVI had called a meeting do the estates general. They thought that he was going to fix things. They made lists of their demands for their representatives to take to the estates general
What is a cahier
They were ere lists of demands that people made for their representatives to take the the estates general
In the phrase, “Liberty, Equality and fraternity”, what does ‘liberty; mean
It was a call for individual human rights. (Freedom of speech and freedom of religion). Ordinary people wanted freedom make decisions for themselves (not have their lives controlled by the decisions of a king). People had to pay higher taxes and had not say as to how the money would be spent. They wanted a new government where the people could vote and have a say as to what would be law.
In the phrase, “ Liberty, Equality and Fraternity” what does equality mean
It was the people’s desire for identical experiences rights for all instead of special privileges for few. People wanted equal opportunity, where positions and jobs were based on ability, not birth or status. They wanted to be able to own land and at lesser be considered for better paying jobs.
In the phrase,” Liberty, Equality and Fraternity” , what does fraternity mean
It means ‘brotherhood’. He revolutionaries believed in a sense of belonging and of working together for the same purpose (for the good of the community). They wanted the three social classes to be demolished.
What were the three stages of the French Revolution
1789-91: the period of reform
1792-94: the period of violent change
1795-99: reaction and end of the revolution
What started the revolution
There are two possible answers. Some historians believe that it was started in June 1789 when the representatives of the third estate broke off from the estates general and started the National Assembly. Others believe that it was in July 789 when the people of Paris attacked and captured the Bastille ( an of castle used as a prison. It was a symbol of royal authority ).
What was the tennis court oath
It was when the estates general met at Versailles outside Paris in may 1789. The third estate started the process of reform. They called themselves the National Assembly and the vowed to continue working until a constitution was drawn up by France.
Why was it called the tennis court oath
Because the meeting was held in a tennis court.
What did the other two estates do during the tennis court oath
They were forced to join the process of reform, and discussions about a new political system began.
What happened because the process of reform was slow
The people in Paris became impatient. There was high unemployment and bread prices were rising. By July 1789 people in Paris were spending 75% of their wages to buy bread. The king had called up more soldier to Paris and Versailles ares, and people thought that he was planning to close down the National Assembly by force.
What did the people think when the king called up more soldiers to Paris and Versailles areas
They thought that the king was planning to close down the National Assembly by force. They were afraid that any progress they had made, would be lost.
What happened on the 14th of July 1789
A crowd of angry people stormed and raided the Bastille. They killed the governed of the Bastille as well as some of the soldiers who were defending it. They also released a few of they prisoners they found inside.
What happened when the news of the Bastille spread
The ordinary people throughout France became more involved in the revolution.
What were the two reasons for the revolutionaries storming the Bastille
It was symbol of royal authority and the oppression of the old system. They were showing that they would not be ruled by a king. The scone reason is that they needed gunpowder for the weapons they got from another place. They knew that one of the only places that had gunpowder at that moment was the Bastille.
What did the revolutionaries do once they had finished taking what they needed from the Bastille.
They tore it down brick by brick.
What happened in the first stage of the revolution
It was called the period of reform. During this time, the representatives from the National Assembly introduced many constructive and lasting reforms. They drew up a constitution, the system of ruling changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy
What are five of the changes/reforms that the representatives of the National Assembly made during the period of reform
- They ended the special privileges which were given to the nobles (part of the feudal system)
- They drew up a constitution which established a constitutional monarchy.
- They nationalized all the property that had belonged to the church, and also ended the privileges of the church and clergy
- They reformed the system of justice
- They drew up a document called The Declaration of The Rights of Man
What did the constitution which established a constitutional monarchy mean for the France
It meant that the king would remain head of state, but laws would be made by an elected parliament. Men over 25 who paid a certain amount of taxes were allowed to vote (2/3 of population)
How did they reform the system of justice
In the future, juries would be elected by the people and there would be trial by jury. Torture and cruel forms of punishment were outlawed
What was the Declaration Of the Rights of man and Citizen.
It was a list of basic human rights. It was a description of the kind of society that the National Assembly hoped to create
What are some of the declarations of the rights of Man and Citizen
- Men are born and remain free and equal in their rights
- These rights are those of liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression
- The power to rule comes from the whole nation
- Liberty is being able to do anything which does not harm another
- The law only has the right to prohibit actions that are harmful to society
- The law should be the same for everyone
- No man may be accused, arrested or detained except in cases determined by the law
- Every man is innocent until he has been declared guilty
- No one must be troubled on account of his opinions, even his religious beliefs, provided that their expression does not disturb public order under the law
- Free expression of thought and opinions is one of the most precious rights of man. Every citizen may speak, write and publish freely
- General taxation is necessary for the Powell of the public force and for the expenses of the government. It should be borne equally by all the citizens in proportion to their means
- The right to property is inviolable and sacred
Why could one be critical of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
It can be seen as favoring the rich. It is mainl concerned with the things that mattered to the better-off classes. As an example: taxation, the freedom of he individual and the rights of property. For the poor, who owned no property,the Declaration offered very little
What happened to the conditions of ordinary people’s lives during the period of reform
They were getting worse
Why were the ordinary people getting angry
Because they thought that the king was trying to resist the changes.
Who were the woman who marched from Paris to Versailles
They were a large crowd of working class woman (fish woman) they were strong woman.
Why did the ‘fish’ woman march to Versailles
They were angry with Marie Antoinette. She had a luxurious and lavish lifestyle and the fish woman found that unfair. They were also angry with her insensitivity towards the suffering of poorer people. They also wanted to get grain for Marie Antoinette’s storage because the price of bread was becoming too high to pay for and the women were unable to feed their children.
What did the ‘fish’ woman do
They forced the king and his family to move to return to Paris with them. The National Assembly moved with the as well.
Why did the ‘fish; women want the king to move to Paris
They wanted his to be closer to his citizens. They also wanted him to be able to see what conditions were like in Paris.
What did Louis do when he was forced to move into Paris
He remained king, but he no longer had any real power. He decided to secretly fleave France with his family and see if he could get help from other European rulers to stop the revolution and restore his power.
What happened to the royal family when they were discovered
They were forced to return to Paris and from then on, the milking was kept as a prisoner. The king was forced to accept the new constitution which reduced his powers greatly. Many people regarded the king as a traitor who had plotted against his country. Those people started to call for the end of the monarchy and for France to become a republic
Wha was the start of the reformation process
When the woman forced the king to return to Paris. This effectively made him acknowledge the needs of the people for food, land and opportunities to improve their lives.
What put the whole revolution under threat
When other foreign countries started invading France.
What countries was France fighting
Austria, Prussia, England, Spain and Sardinia
Why were foreign countries at king France
They wanted to restore the powers of the king and crush the revolution
What did the government do to prevent the other countries from crushing the revolution and restoring the kings power
They deposed the king and made France a republic. They also raised an army to defend France.
How did France raise and army
People were conscripted. This cause a bit of unrest in some of the provinces
Where was resistance to the revolution particularly strong
In the Vendée region in the west. The people were devout Catholics and didn’t like the revolution’s criticism of the church.
Where did the government have full control
In the northern and central areas.
What new radical government replaced the National Assembly and why
The national convention replaced the National Assembly because France was under threat
With the national convention in power, what did the revolution go through
It wet through a very violent change.
Who dominated the national convention
Extremist political groups such as the jacobin club
What were people prepared to do to save the revolution
Accept strict new rules.
What was the committee of public safety
It was a committee formed by the national convention to run France. It was a group of 12 men
Who were the leaders of the Committee of Public Safety
Danton and Robespierre
What did the Committee of Public Safety use to the to unite the nation
They used a combination of planning and terror
What happened during the reign of terror
Many f the liberal reforms were swept aside. People
What happened to people suspected of disloyalty
They had to appear before a special court called the revolutionary tribunal, where they didn’t receive a fair trial.
What right fell away during the reign of terror
Freedom of speech.
He many people (estimated) were imprisoned during the terror
Around 300 000
How many (estimated) were executed during the Terror
40 000
How were most of the people executed
By guillotine
How were other people executed if not by the guillotine
By drowning or being shot.
Who were some of the victims f the guillotine
The king and queen
What powers did the Committee of Public Safety have during the terror
They had authoritarian powers ( those with power being strict and controlling ) that threatened the progress towards democracy that had been made
When did the terror finally end
When Robespierre was executed
What was the third stage of the revolution
The reaction and the end of the Revolution
What government replaced the National convention
A conservative government called the directory.
What did the directory do
It put an end to the extremes of the terror
Who supported the directory
The moderate middle class, the provincial towns and the peasants
Who was party of the directory
It was made up of 5 men who were all upper class. They are mainly bankers, lawyers, doctors …
What did the directory do
They closed down the radical political clubs (jacobins). They also changed the voting system so that only fewer, wealthier men were allowed to vote for an assembly which made the laws.
What did the changes that the directory made cause
They caused angry protests in Paris. However, this time ordinary people were not able to influence events. The government ordered the army to crush the protests.
Who was the officer in charge of the army that was sent to crush the protests
Napoleon Bonaparte
What is Bastille day
It is a day still celebrated each year as a reminder of the storming of the Bastille carried out by ordinary people. (National day of france)
What did the ordinary people do when they heard about the storming of the Bastille
They got involved. The peasants were very active and seized land and destroyed tax records. Middle class people took over the running of many towns from royal officials
What was the March of The Women/ Bread March to Versailles
It was the first sign of the powerful role that woman had to play in the revolution. It started as a demonstration of high bread prices, but ends yup having a big impact on the four events of the revolution. By forcing the king and his family to move to Paris, they put pressure on him to accept reform.
What happened when the National Assembly moved to Paris
The ordinary people are able to attend meeting. They strongly supported political and social change
What did many ordinary people do during the reign of terror
They supported the actions of the government and willingly joined revolutionary armies.
What happened as a result of ordinary people bring about change
They came to be regarded as citizens with rights and duties rather than subjects of the king
What ordinary people did not support the revolution
The catholic people. Many of them were workers and peasants, and many were executed.
What happened when the three estates came to an end
People’s Ives did not immediately change very much. Workers, professional people, and the remaining wealthy land owners became the working class, the middle class and the upper class
What did some of the middle class woman do
They argued for equal political rights to men.
Who was a revolutionary woman leader
Olympus de Gouges
What role did Olympus de Gouges play in the revolution
She produced the Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Female Citizen. She argued that the revolution would only take effect when all women become fully aware of their deplorable condition, and of the rights they have lost in society
What do many historians believe about the French Revolution
That it was the start of a long struggle in Europe for women’s equality with men.
Who was Manon Roland
She was married to a revolutionary leader. She didn’t support the terror and was imprisoned and executed.
Who was Charlotte Corday
She was a woman trying to bring an end to the reign of terror by killing Marat (she was also guillotined)
How did the French Revolution affect the world
- France became a republic
- People had the right to vote (important step towards democracy)
- Middle class had greater opportunities and dominated the government
- Peasants gained more land when church property was nationalized . They no longer had to pay feudal taxes
- Nobles lost their power and special privileges
- The Roman Catholic Church lost its land and power, but remained the main religion
- It lead to growth of a new force- nationalism
- French formed a national army
- Created a national flag (the tricolore)
- Created the national anthem (the Marseillaise)
- Created a national day (Bastille day)
