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The French Revolution & Napolenic era Flashcards

1
Q

What is a political revolution

A
  • struggle for a complete change
  • by overthrowing the old system and setting up a new one
  • applied to political/economic/social systems
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2
Q

what were the main criticisms against the government of the 18th-19th century?

A

Discontent & criticism against the government
- autocratic government - absolute monarchy (monarch holds all power)
- social inequality –> economic sufferings + no rights and freedom
- corrupt and inefficient government

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3
Q

before the French revolution, most of europe was ruled by ___________ who believed in ______

A

absolute monarch, the divine rights of kings

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4
Q

the enlightenment

A

an intellectual movement started by the educated europeans (mostly french) in the 17th and 18th centuries

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5
Q

main enlightenment ideas

A
  • basic human rights
  • equality before the law + the rule of law
  • popular sovereignty: rulers rule with the consent of the people
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6
Q

How did enlightenment ideas threaten the ruler and cause a revolution

A

People would take up armies against the tyranny, as they believe in their right to revolt against tyranny

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7
Q

how did the american revolution lead to the french revolution

A
  • the success of the american revolution showed that common people could actually overthrow a tyranny and set up a democratic government
  • financial support
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8
Q

three aspects of the problems of government of Louis VI

A
  • political
  • financial
  • social
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9
Q

political problems in the government of Louis VI

A

Louis XVI was not interested in politics and his ministers made all the decisions

–> inefficient and corrupt government

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10
Q

financial problems in the government of Louis XVI

A
  • louis XVI needed money for entertainment
    –> new taxes, eg. introduction of new land tax
  • luxurious life of the queen (marie antoinette) and the court
  • participation in foreign wars during the reign of louis XVI

–> the government was bankrupt

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11
Q

social problems in the government of Louis VI

A
  • serious inflation and unemployment
  • poor harvest and starvation

–> failed to address the social problems faced

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12
Q

how did the political, financial and social problems affect louis XVI’s government

A

It became unpopular among the people
–> revolution to overthrow it

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13
Q

three estates of the french society

A

king
first estate: clergy (first class)
second estate: nobility (second class)
third estate: other people, eg, city workers (third class), peasants (forth class)

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14
Q

population of french society

A

first and second estate: 2%
third estate: 98%
–> peasants: 80%

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15
Q

rights of first and second estates

A
  • unlimited rights, largest landowners, exempted from most of the taxes
  • held the best positions in the government and army
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16
Q

rights of third estate

A
  • had no political power through wealthy
  • suffered the most from heavy taxation (up to 75% of their income)
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17
Q

features of the social structure of the 18th century French society

A

problem: social inequality
- power and wealth were concentrated in a privileged minority (first & second estate)
- mmajority of the population suffered and did not have rights

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18
Q

Estates-General

A

the French parliament to discuss financial or political matters

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19
Q

the Estates-General had not been called for more than ____ before the revolution

A

170 years

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20
Q

what was the motion of the estates general meeting called by louis XVI?

A

Nobles and clergy should pay taxes to the government

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21
Q

How did the estates general meeting end?

A

The third estate thought the one-estate-one-vote system was unfair, because the first and second estates would always vote against the Third estate. They withdrew from the meeting.

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22
Q

what was the purpose of the national assembly

A
  • represent the people
  • protect people’s rights
  • participate in law-making process
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23
Q

purpose of a constitution

A
  • limit the power of the ruler
  • ensure the basic natural rights of people
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24
Q

who set up the national assembly

A

members of the third estate

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25
the tennis court oath
members of the third estate were forced to gather in a tennis court and they swore that they would not give up until they had drawn up a constitution for france
26
what is the significance of the tennis court oath
It showed the determination of the people to create a constitutional government for France
27
The bastille
symbol of tyranny
28
why was the bastille a symbol of tyranny
because it was believed that political prisoners were kept there
29
the fall of the bastille marked ____________
the outbreak of the french revolution
30
14th july
french national day
31
french national day
14th july
32
storming of the bastille
when the Parisians heard that louic XVI planned to send in troops to dissolve the National Assembly, they searched for weapons in the town and marched on to the bastille
33
when did the french revolution end
when napoleon bonaparte ended the directory and set up the consulate
34
what does the three colours of the french national flag represent?
blue: liberty white: equality red: fraternity
35
two internal causes for the rise of napoleon
- the directory was corrupt, inefficient and incapable - The french people were tired of the chaos since the outbreak of the french revolution. They longed for a strong leader who could bring law and order to the country
36
why was the directory corrupt, inefficient and incapable? give one example
it failed to solve the problems the people faced e.g. poverty continued
37
example of internal rebellions during the rule of the directory
royalist upbringing in 1795
38
external causes for the rise of napoleon
napoleon defeated the first Coalition and brought glory to france and was regarded as a national hero
39
examples of napoloen's victories
- italian campaign (defeated austria) - egyptian campaign (won all land battles but got defeated by the british at sea
40
what was the purpose of the continental system and how did it end?
to harm britain's economy - caused no fear of starvation in britain, only harmed the economy of europe - prevented others from trading with britain
41
why was napoleon called the master of europe?
- the territories of france were larger than before - spain, italian and german states became dependent states of france - other european countries except britain, portugal and sweden became french allies out of fear of napoleon - He dissolved the Holy Roman Empire and turned it into many german dependent states - He built a huge empire, and became the master of europe after defeating the third and fourth coalitions
42
why didn't napoleon attack britain?
- there was the english channel separating france and britain. --> chances of winning the war was slim - britain had a powerful navy --> napoleon was defeated in all sea battles against britain, eg egyptian campaign - financially, britain had a strong economy. Her production of food was self- sufficient
43
reforms introduced by napoleon
- introduced a fair tax system - fair chances for everyone to be recruited in the government and the army - promoted free trade, industry, agriculture and education - improve transportation by building roads, bridges and canals - introduced the napoleonic code (code napoleon)
44
purpose of the napoleonic code (code napoleon)
- protect personal property - abolish class divisions and feudal privileges - give everyone the freedom to choose their religion and job
45
how did the reforms benefit people's life and napoleon? introduced a fair tax system
improving the economic status of the people
46
how did the reforms benefit people's life and napoleon? fair chances for everyone to be recruited in the government and the army
improving social status of the people + improving the performance of the government
47
how did the reforms benefit people's life and napoleon? - promoted free trade, industry, agriculture and education - improve transportation by building roads, bridges and canals
improving the economy --> provided more protection and rights for the french people --> improved their living status
48
how did the reforms benefit people's life and napoleon? introduced the napoleonic code (code napoleon)
laws protecting the rights of people
49
the downfall of napoleon: battles
- peninsular war - the russian campaign - the battle of nations - the battle of waterloo
50
cause and result of the peninsular war
in 1808, the spanish people rose against french rule. napoleon put down the revolts and punished portugal for acting against the continental system --> napoleon was defeated
51
why was napoleon defeated in the peninsular war
britain helped spain and portugal with its royal navy
52
cause and result of the russian campaign
in 1812, napoleon wanted to punish russia for trading with britain --> napoleon was forced to retreat. France faced heavy casualties. Many french soldiers died of the cold, hunger & russia's attacks on their way home
53
why was napoleon defeated in the russian campaign
napoleon took moscow. But before his arrival the russians had employed the scorched-earth policy, burning down the whole city, leaving no food supply for the french army
54
Cause of the Battle of Nations
After napoleon lost the russian campaign, european countries joined together in a coalition (the 6th coalition) to fight against france
55
result and significance of the battle of nations
napoleon was defeated and was forced to give up his throne. He was then exiled to the Island of Elba --> Louis XVIII was restored
56
cause of the battle of waterloo
napoleon escaped back to france a year after being exiled. He ruled france again for about 100 days. European rulers, who were in the middle of the congress of vienna dealing with the problems left by napoleon, soon heard the news of his return. European countries formed another coalition (7th coalition) to fight him
57
result and significance of the battle of waterloo
The british and the prussian armies defeated napoleon. Napoleon was then exiled to the island or st. helena. He died 6 years later
58
meaning of nationalism
- The idea that people of the same race, culture, language and religion should be unified and should be politically independent - people should be loyal to the nation, not the king. if a king is a bad one, they have the right to overthrow him
59
significance of nationalism
encouraged independence and unification movements in europe in the 19th century
60
ideologies formed after the french revolution and the napoleonic era
- nationalism - liberalism
61
examples of unification movements in the 19th century
- greece and belgium gained independence --> braking awayy from foreign rulers
62
meaning of liberalism
the ideas of liberty and equality
63
significance of liberalism
- people asked for liberal constitution and political rights for the people - it encouraged the outbreak of autocratic governments in the 19th century
64
examples of autocratic governmnets in the 19th century
austria, france

History (6 decks)

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