U6 L6 French Revolution: Old Regime Flashcards
When did the French Revolution begin?
Louis XVI calling Estates-General for money
When did the French Revolution end?
Napoleon Bonaparte becoming first consul of France
Between which years did the French Revolution last? How long was it?
1789 and 1799, 10 years
Which revolutions was France inspired by?
England and America
Did the Revolution make France a democracy?
no, made it limited monarchy
What is absolutism?
govt were ruler has unrestricted power
What is aristocracy?
upper/privileged class
During the reigns of who did the people of France become more dissatisfied?
Louis XV and XVI
What was Louis XV’s attitude towards the French people?
lazy and indifferent
What were the 3 classes/estates the French were divided into?
- clergy
- nobles
- everyone else (middle class and peasants)
What is an estate?
social class of France
Which estate did most of the work and paid most of the taxes?
middle class and peasants (3rd/last estate)
What is lettres de cachet?
sealed letters with French royal orders for imprisoning a person
What was the difference between France and how America and England gave rights?
- Am constitution defended rights, Fr not exist
- no free speech and preference of worship in Fr
- Eng King George III appointed judges
- lettres de cachet without trial
Out of the English and American Revolution, which one was France most influenced by?
American Revolution
Who were famous French writers who attacked traditions and beliefs of France’s Old Regime?
- Voltaire
- Rousseau
- Montesquieu
What did Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu specifically target in their works against the Old Regime?
- French monarch’s absolute rule
- unfair taxes
- nobility having special privileges
- Roman Catholic Church bc of land, wealth, education
What were the main reasons that led to the French Revolution?
- debt
- influenced by Am and Eng revolution
Which estate did French laws mostly/only tax?
middle and lower class, peasants
What Louis XV would not do, his grandson and successor ()
Louis XVI could not do
At what age did Louis XVI become king?
19