The French Revolution And The Idea Of The Nation Flashcards
What year did the French Revolution begin?
1789
What type of government was France under prior to the French Revolution?
Absolute monarchy
What significant change occurred in sovereignty as a result of the French Revolution?
Transfer of sovereignty from the monarchy to the citizens
What two concepts emphasized collective identity among the French people?
- La patie (the fatherland)
- Le citoyen (the citizen)
What was the new name given to the Estates General after its election by active citizens?
National Assembly
What was the new flag adopted by the revolutionaries?
The tricolour
What measures did the French Revolutionaries implement to create a unified nation?
- Centralised administrative system
- Uniform laws for all citizens
- Abolishment of internal customs duties
- Adoption of a uniform system of weights and measures
What language became the common language of the nation during the French Revolution?
French as spoken and written in Paris
What was declared as the mission of the French nation by the revolutionaries?
To liberate the peoples of Europe from despotism
What groups began to form in European cities in response to the events in France?
Jacobin clubs
Which regions did the French armies move into during the 1790s?
- Holland
- Belgium
- Switzerland
- Much of Italy
True or False: The French armies carried the idea of nationalism abroad during the revolutionary wars.
True
Fill in the blank: The revolutionaries commemorated martyrs in the name of the _______.
[nation]
What was the slogan associated with the image of the storming of the Bastille?
The people must seize their own freedom!
Who was Andreas Rebmann?
A journalist and member of a German Jacobin group
What improvements were made for peasants, artisans, workers, and new businessmen?
Restrictions were removed.
What systems were improved that affected transportation and communication?
Transport and communication systems.
What significant social change did Napoleon bring to peasants?
Freed peasants from serfdom and manorial dues.
What did the Napoleonic Code abolish regarding social privileges?
Did away with all privileges based on birth.
What principle did the Napoleonic Code establish?
Established equality before the law and secured the right to property.
What is the Civil Code of 1804 commonly known as?
The Napoleonic Code.
What was a key goal of the Napoleonic Code?
To make the whole system more rational and efficient.
How did Napoleon’s actions affect democracy in France?
Napoleon destroyed democracy in France.
What type of government did Napoleon introduce after destroying democracy?
A return to monarchy.
In which regions did Napoleon export his reforms?
Regions under French control.
Which administrative divisions did Napoleon simplify?
Administrative divisions in Switzerland, Italy, and Germany.
What new-found freedom is referenced?
Freedom enjoyed by businessmen and small-scale individuals
How are the French portrayed in the context of liberation?
As liberators who opposed monarchy in the territories they entered
What does the phrase ‘Take freedom and equality from us, the model of humanity’ imply?
It is a sarcastic reference to the claim of oppressors
What visual elements are depicted in the color print by Karl Kaspar Fritz?
French soldiers in blue, white, and red uniforms, and scenes of oppression
What is the subject of the color print by Karl Kaspar Fritz?
The occupation of the town of Zweibrücken
Fill in the blank: The plaque affixed to the Tree of Liberty carries a _______ inscription.
German
What were the initial reactions of local populations to French rule in areas conquered by Napoleon?
Mixed reactions
Some cities like Brussels welcomed the French armies, while others turned to hostility.
What administrative changes accompanied the French conquests?
Censorship and forced conscription
These changes were seen as necessary alongside political freedom.
What was the impact of increased taxation during the French conquests?
It contributed to the decline of initial enthusiasm for French rule
The administrative arrangements did not meet the expectations of liberty.
Fill in the blank: The reactions of local populations to French rule were _______.
mixed
Which territories were mentioned as having a mixed reception to French rule?
Mainz, Milan, Warsaw, Holland, Switzerland, Brussels
These locations had varied responses to the French armies.
What did Napoleon lose after the battle of Leipzig in 1813?
Territories
The letter dropping out of his bag symbolizes the territories lost.
What facilitated the movement and exchange of goods during the French conquests?
Standardized laws, weights and measures, and a common national currency
These changes allowed for improved business operations.
True or False: The initial enthusiasm for French rule was sustained throughout the conquests.
False
Enthusiasm turned to hostility as the realities of governance set in.
Fill in the blank: Businessmen and small-scale producers enjoyed a new-found _______ during the French conquests.
freedom
What did Napoleon represent as he returned home from Leipzig?
A postman losing territories
This imagery symbolizes his losses in the campaign.
