French Revolution
Louis XVI
He was the king of France at the start of the revolution; he was weak and indecisive
Austria
Hoping to spread their revolutionary ideas, France voted to declare war on this country
Fall of the Bastille
Hundreds of hungry people stormed the prison in search of gunpowder to save Paris and the National Assembly; this was the symbolic start of the revolution
Republic of Virtue
Robespierre's attempt to erase all traces of the monarchy, nobility and the Catholic Church
Marie Antoinette
She was the queen of France at the start of the reevolution; she was from Austria and spent too much money on herself
Reign of Terror
The excessively violent period of time during the French Revolution under the rule of Robespierre
Estates-General
The legislative branch of the French government prior to the French Revolution; it could meet only with permission from the king (May 5th, 1789)
Robespierre
The radical leader during the French Revolution responsible for the Reign of Terror; he wanted to create a Republic of Virtue
Estates
The social classes in France
Second Estate
They consisted of the Nobles; they received special privileges and paid no direct taxes to the king
First Estate
They consisted of the Roman Catholic Clergy; they received special privileges and paid no direct taxes
Third Estate
They consisted of the bourgeoisie, the san-culottes and the peasants; they paid high taxes and had no special privileges
Peasants
They were the rural poor; they were the farmers who paid about half of their income in taxes to the nobles, the church and other agents of the king
Bourgeoisie
They were the urban middle-class; they were the merchants/artisans and were well-educated and often wealthy
San-Culottes
They were the urban poor; they were the cooks/servants who were paid low wages and were often out of work
Revolution
A major change
Old Regime
A combination of the absolute monarchy and feudalism in France; it included the three estates
Committe of Public Safety
A group of 12 men who decided who was an enemy of the state; those who were, were executed
Directory
A group of 5 men who were given control of France following the Reign of Terror; Napoleon was one of the 5 men
Guillotine
A machine used to behead people; it was suppose to make death quick and painless
French Revolution
A major change in government that began in 1789; it brought an end to the absolute monarchy and a start to a representative government
Bastille
A medieval fort and prison in Paris used to store gun powder
Versailles
A palace built by Louis XIV outside of Paris; it was home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
Tennis Court Oath
A promise made by the members of the National Assembly to stay together until they had written a constitution for France; this was the first deliberate act of the revolution (treason)
Danton, George
A radical supporter and close ally of Robespierre who was eventually declared a traitor; he was executed the guillotine
Marat, Jean-Paul
A radical supporter of the French Revolution who used his newspaper to demand more blood; he was eventually murdered
Moderates
This group could live with or without the king, wanted some additional changes and supported violence only if it was justified
Radicals
This group hated the king, wanted drastic and sweeping changes and advocated the use of violence in the name of the revolution
Conservatives
This group liked the king, wanted no more changes and was opposed to violence
July 14th, 1789
This is the date that represents the symbolic start of the French Revolution; Parisians stormed the Bastille
May 5th, 1789
This is the date that the Estates-General was called to order; the 1st and 2nd estate expected to dominate the Estates-General
June 17th, 1789
This is the date that the Third Estate voted to leave the Estates-General and form a new body of government for the people of France
August 4th, 1789
This is the date the National Assembly ended the Old Regime, feudalism, church tithes and the special privileges of the First/Second Estates
National Assembly
This was legislative branch of the government; it proclaimed an end to the absolute monarchy and the start of a representative government
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
This was the document written by the National Assembly that identified the natural rights of the French citizens as well as their other liberties
National Convention
This was the legislative branch of government that deposed the king of his title, declared France a republic and publically executed the king and queen
Legislative Assembly
This was the legislative branch of government that was elected in to power and voted to start a war with Austria; it was forced to step down from power
National Assembly
This was the legislative branch of the government; it ended feudalism, serfdom, taxes to the church and the special privileges of the 1st and 2nd estates
Liberty, Fraternity, Equality
This was the slogan (battlecry) of the French Revolution
Vote by Order
When each estate received one vote; this was favored by the First and Second Estates
Vote by Head
When each representative received one vote; this was favored by the Third Estate