Unit 7 - The French Revolution

National Assembly

3rd estate (bourgeoisie) 's new name

Directory

5 man group led by Robespierre, foe unity

What was the tension between liberty and equality during the Revolution in France?

Both liberty and equality were being fought for instead of just the king. People wanted a fair and equal society.

What factors led to the calling of the Estates General in 1789? Who called it?

King Louis XVI called the Estates General in order to assert his authority after their grievances were posted and pave way for the future. He locked out the 3rd Estate, causing the formation of the National Assembly. France faced violent uprising as peasants stole from nobles and there were more bread shortages.

What was the nature of the Old Regime? Who was responsible for building that system?

King Louis XVI ruled and was crowned at a young age. He ruled with "divine right." He upheld an absolute monarchy. He made distinct social classes. Nobility - wealthy, no taxes, special court, no draft, political influence, clergy/public office. Bourgeoisie - middle class, professionals, land, business. Peasants - largest group, workers, payed many taxes, poor conditions, manual labor, unskilled, poor, servants.

The Reign of Terror

Law of Suspects, Girondists, Corday assassinated Marat, dechristianization, guillotine

What were the dominant social/political groups in France during the revolutionary era?

National Constituent Assembly 1 - moderates, believed revolution was over, pro constitutional monarchy 2 - conservative nobility and clergy, wanted to rewind the revolution, king retains authority, clergy/nobility privileges renounced 3 - radical patriot deputies, more/equal political and legal rights for all, no argument for ending monarchy

What sort of special rights did members of the nobility possess during the Old Regime?

Nobility had limited taxes, peasants payed taxes to them, exempt from military draft, crimes were tried in a special court.

Which people were pressing for revolution to get more radical in the fall of 1792?

People pressed for the revolution to become increasingly radical in the fall of 1792 as the National Convention first met and abolished monarchy, declared a republic, democracy, and ended up guillotining the king.

What was the Reign of Terror?

The Terror began when the government was fighting both a civil and international war and were in deep financial troubles and had food prices skyrocketing and stockage shortening. The National Convention decided to create the Committee of Public Safety, a group of 12 led by Robespierre, to guide the government. The CPS instead created a totalitarian state using terror and fear. They claimed use of liberty. The Law of the Maximum set a max food price. The Law of the Suspects eliminates treasonous people and limited judicial protection. Thousands were tried and executed via guillotine. The Christian calendar was abandoned and began dechristianization. The church no longer had education responsibilities. Births, deaths, and marriages were registered in City Hall instead of the Church. The Terror ended as France finally was successful on the civil field and battlefield wars ended. Robespierre began a campaign for "civil" and "virtue" for justice, heroism and modesty

Why did the Revolution lead to military campaigns against France's neighbors?

The revolution led to military campaigns against France's neighbors because they were disgusted with Robespierre's actions and wanted to reinstate the King to power.

The Republic

abolished monarchy, the mountain - 12 man board led by Robespierre, faction of the Convention

What types of government had control throughout the revolution?

absolute monarchy, constitutional monarchy

tithe

church collection of taxes

Estates General

clergy, nobility, bourgeoisie

What were the 3 Estates? What were their grievances during the 1780's?

clergy, nobility, bourgeoisie. wanted the end of tithes, equality in voting and taxation, limit to nobility privilege

bread riots

grain prices rose during the revolution causing riots

Committee of Public Safety

group of 12 led by Robespierre to guide government

Great Fear

hunger and grain shortage leading to desperation and violence among the people along with rumors of possible attack on peasants, peasants revolt against the tax system, peasants spread rumors that nobility were hoarding grain, thought British governments were planning French riots, National Constituent Assembly had many problems after integrating the estates, king losing power

Louis XVI

king of France

Storming of the Bastille

largest storage of gunpowder in Paris that peasants ransacked in order to protect themselves from the military/mercenaries who bordered Paris

Marat

leader of Montagnards faction and assassinated by Girondist Corday

Robespierre

leader of the convention, kinda dictator of France

Law of the Maximum

maximum food prices set to stop skyrocketing bread prices

bourgeoisie

middle class professionals/owners/merchants

constitutional monarchy

monarchs are head of state but cannot pass laws without parliamentary approval

Old Regime

name given to the system of rule in France before 1789

Tennis Court Oath

oath the 3rd estate took to become the National Assembly and band together until a new constitution was made

Women's March on Versailles

peasant women storm Versailles to find rumored grain that Marie Antoinette was hoarding during the Great Fear

Danton

president of committee of public safety

Jacobins

pro revolutionary club

National Convention

replaced the Assembly

Legislative Assembly

replacement of national constituent assembly

Marie Antoinette

wife of King Louis XVI

sans-culottes

working class protesters