French Revolutuion

Robespierre

An influential politician that was part of the Jacobin Club. He was in the Public Safety Committee and one of the most influential figures during the Reign of Terror

What three major mistakes led to Napoleon's downfall?

- Three major mistakes that led to Napoleons downfall include his war with GB, his attempt to stop all European trade with GB, and his obsession with expansion and winning.

Reign of Terror

A period of violence during the French Revolution where rival political factions fought and executed thousands of "enemies of the revolution." Origin of the famous guillotine

Holy Alliance

A coalition created by the monarchist powers of Russia, Prussia and Austria to instill the divine right of Kings in the political mind of Europe. Against democracy, revolution and secularism

3 Estates

A pre revolutionary social division that included the Clergy, Nobility and 3rd estate. A majority of taxation was imposed on the 3rd estate

What are the effects of the French Revolution?

After the French Revolution, France was ruled by a constitutional monarchy, Germany was unified, the ideas of freedom of speech, equality before law and sovereignty of the people took hold throughout Europe and the terms left and right were created to describe liberal and conservative views

Concordat

An agreement between Napoleon and Pope Pius VII which made the church a department of the state, removing it's authority

Metternich

Austrian representative at the Congress of Vienna that planned the containment of France, a balance of power throughout Europe and restoring monarchs through Europe

Bastille

Bastille (medieval fortress) which was a symbol of the King out of panic,peasants killed it's guards and stole weapons to defend themselves

Napoleonic Code

Civil code established under Napoleon which forbade privileges based on birth, allowed freedom of religion and specified government jobs should go to the most qualified

3 Goals of the Congress of Vienna

Containment of France, Balance of Power and Legitimacy

Alexander I

Czar of Russia

Economic troubles

France had much pre existing debt from past kings but also had an inefficient tax system where they only taxed the poorest citizens, the only ones that couldn't afford it. The result of a greedy Clergy and Nobility was great economic distress for the 3rd estate which was a main contributor to the start of the revolution.

How did the French Revolution contribute to the idea of the "political spectrum" and how are these terms used today?

In the Legislative Assembly, the different internal factions would separate themselves in the courtroom on the left or right sides depending on how conservative or liberal they were. This is known today as the political spectrum. The term left is now used to describe a liberal perspective and right a conservative perspective

Danton

Leader of the early stages of the French Revolution. He was the first president of the Committee of Public Safety. He was guillotined by Jacobins

Jacobins

Left winged radicals in the Legislative assembly. Created the reign of Terror and fell apart after the death of Robespierre

Mistakes of Louis XVI

Louis lived and spent too lavishly and was not a good role model for France. He was indecisive and did not establish his rule and was eventually not recognized as a leader. He took bad advice from his wife Mary Antoinette and brought much debt through France's involvement in war in America

Rise of Napoleon

Napoleon Bonaparte was commissioned a second lieutenant in an artillery regiment at the age of 16. He later was elected into the directory and from there entered the Consulate that took its place. He was Emperor in 1804

Accomplishments and shortcomings of Napoleon

Napoleon created a well functioning country out of the chaos and anarchy that took place during the French Revolution. He conquered many lands and gave pride to the French people. He created the Napoleonic code which served as a model for civil codes across Europe.

Did Napoleon do more good or bad overall? (Not just in France)

Napoleon did more bad that good overall. He only accounted for his victories and not for the deaths of his loyal soldiers. He stabilized the French economy and brought pride to the country but in doing so he created many enemies and was irresponsible in letting so many of his brave soldiers die because of his sometimes foolish decisions such as the invasion of Russia and the Peninsula War.

What were the pros and cons of Napoleon's rule in France?

Napoleon introduced many reforms in education (lycees) and the Napoleonic code which was adopted by many countries as their civil codes. Although he did many good things such as those named before and bringing order to France, he was sexist and had a very large ego that was paid for by the lives lost in his many foolish battles.

Causes

Poor economy, high prices and tax on 3rd estate, terrible king (Louis XVI), unequal social classes

Sans-Culottes

Radical left wingers of the lower class. They are named by their signature knee silk pants. Their ideas included popular democracy, social and economic equality and affordable food

What reactionary/conservative efforts were made after the exile of Napoleon and how successful were they in turning Europe back to the old order?

The Congress of Vienna was an act to re-establish internal European boundaries and to restore a balance of power. Without the Congress of Vienna, Europe today would be very different. The Napoleonic boundaries would never had surely been altered and modern day countries would have developed very differently.

How was the French Revolution more socially radical than the American Revolution?

The French Revolution was more socially radical than the American Revolution because civility in the rebellion in France was non-existent. They were different types of revolutions too, the French being more socially radical because it was the complete upheaval of society and the upper class; in contrast the American revolution required less radicalism because it was the extermination of British power in a certain territory

Why were the French people willing to accept a dictator/Emperor after overthrowing their king?

The French people were willing to accept an Emperor after the overthrow of their king because they loved the fact that he did not lead by divine right but because he earned it and was basically a normal person. He represented the idea that anyone could achieve greatness; he was also a fantastic leader.

What was the Terror, what was it trying to do, did it succeed?

The Great Terror was a period of the French Revolution where the Jacobins and the Girondins fought for political control and thousands of "enemies of the revolution" were slaughtered and executed. It was an attempt to exterminate the opposition of the revolution; it did succeed.

Was the Revolution the fault of Louis XVI or the Nobility?

The Revolution definitely could have been avoided if a strong leader had solved the taxation issue by charging more on the Nobility. As a king, he was supposed to have supreme power but his weak personality let others undermine his authority. It was the Kings fault.

What was the establishment of the bourgeoisie important

The establishment of the Bourgeoisie was important because it was the bourgeoisie that took control of France at the start of the Revolution.

What was the central goal of the Congress of Vienna? Did they succeed?

The goal of the Congress of Vienna was to restore Europe with a balance of power disrupted by Napoleon. They did succeed. They also made it so that one country could not become too powerful.

What were the major causes of the French Revolution?

The major causes of the French Revolution were economic troubles and social inequality. Economic troubles made life hard for the vast majority of the population as they were taxed unfairly and charged much for basic food items. Starvation and fear of death became the reality for many of the lower class citizens. Social inequality was also a cause because why would some people be forced to pay taxes and others not? Living at the bottom of society and being treated unequally is definitely not fair when you work hard.

Coup détat

The sudden overthrow of the government that led to the French Revolution

Great Fear

a period of panic and riot by peasants who were afraid of a rumor that the Nobility were stockpiling grain in cooperation with the king to starve and to overthrow the 3rd estate.

Old Regime

the pre revolutionary political system of France where the Clergy and Nobility dominated the 3rd estate

Tennis court Oath

was an pledge sworn by the members of third estate who were locked out of the meeting of the estates general to create a constitution.