Unit 1- French Revolution and its effects Flashcards
Estates-general meeting
a meeting between representatives for all three estates. However, they were always biased because the 1st/2nd estate would always be able to outvote the 3rd, despite them having more people. Was held for the first time in 175 yrs to approve a new tax by Louis XIV
National Assembly
The third assembly banded together to give the third estate more say in gov. stuff and to reform it.
first estate
Made up of clergy. 1% of population
second estate
Made up of nobles. 2% of population
third estate
Regular people; took up most of the population, were the poorest, and still paid the most taxes.
storming of bastille
the bastille was a prison many of the third estate had been trapped in previously. It was a symbol of fear and during the beginning of the FR, peasants stormed it and got away with guns and the lives of many guards. It was a turning point in the rev. as it was the first violent show of resistance from the revolutionaries.
the great panic
when rebellion spread from Paris to the country, and rumors said that the nobles were hiring people to terrorize peasants. Food was low, fear was high, so the atmosphere was very tense and violent.
the declaration of rights of man and citizen
Created by Marquis de Lafayette (during the moderate phase), and approved by the national assembly. Outlined the natural rights everyone had (ex. liberty, fraternity, equality)
congress of vienna
a series of meetings in vienna between european powers to try and restore the old powers after the napoleonic wars. They were led by Klemens von Metternich & this is sometimes known as the Age of Metternich/Age of Reaction. The overall goal was peace for Europe.
Napoleon
Leader of France/dictator after the directory, put in place a lot of good laws such as Napoleonic code and tried to take over Europe, but failed. Was banished at the end but made a lot of changes and caused the congress of Vienna.
John Locke
Philosopher: natural rights (life, liberty, property)
Baron de Montesquieu
Philosopher: separation of powers (judicial, executive, legislative)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Philosopher: human freedom and equality for all
Effects of the congress of vienna
Many of the legitimate rulers who had lost the throne got it back; France was weakened, and surrounded by strong powers. Prussia/Britain’s power increased. Democracy was seen as the best way to ensure equality. There were lots of revolts against these changes, and nationalism increased in germany/italy/greece. The HOLY ALLIANCE was created (Russia, Austria, Prussia)
Louis XIV
last absolute king of France
Louis XVI
last king of France, was not very good at his job and was eventually beheaded during the radical part of the revolution.
The reign of terror
a very radical time during the revolution, Robespierre was leading, thousands of executions happened, and was overall very violent
Maximilien Robespierre
important leader during the reign of terror, oversaw the beheading of the royals and helped radicalize the revolution. Ran the committee of public safety until he was beheaded himself.
klemens von metternich
played a large part in the CONGRESS OF VIENNA. wanted to prevent future aggression from France, balance out power between countries and restore old rulers. also created the concert of Europe, which was a web of alliances to prevent revolutions.
battle of waterloo
the battle that was a turning point for napoleon; he knew he couldn’t take over the rest of Europe
committee of public safety
a governmental system during the French revolution; led to the reign of terror
tennis court oath
when the third estate found themselves locked out of the estates-general meeting, they broke into a nearby tennis court and pledged to stay there until a new constitution was written, which it was.
bourgeoisie
the middle class who were educated but still part of the third estate.
directory
a committee of rulers after Robespierre, but they were weak and allowed napoleon to take over easily.
Jacobin club
a radical organization of revolutionaries; where Robespierre came from
scorched earth policy
Russians would burn crops or murder livestock when the enemy came through so they would have nothing to eat.
coup d’état
a sudden change in political power of a nation
continential system
Napoleon tried to prevent trade between Britain and the mainland using blockades to ruin their economy
peninsular war
a war that drove napoleon out of Spain (he was against Spanish rebels and the British)
