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.