Vocabulary
Coup d'état
A sudden overthrow of the government, often by a small group or military force
What were the three estates and what were their roles in society?
What year is considered to be the start of the French Revolution?
1789
What is liberalism?
An ideology that emerged during and after the Enlightenment, emphasizing individual freedoms, democracy, and economic freedoms.
What was the Napoleanic Code?
set of laws established under Napoleon Bonaparte’s rule. It aimed to unify and modernize the French legal system by consolidating existing laws and simplifying legal practices. The code is significant for its emphasis on clearly written and accessible law, reflecting Enlightenment principles of equality before the law, individual rights, and the protection of private property.
Monarchy
A form of government led by a king or queen
what was King Louis XVI’s view on the structure of French society?
King Louis XVI’s statement that “each estate respects its place” reflects his belief in the traditional structure of the Ancien Régime, where social hierarchy and privilege were maintained. This perspective underscores the monarchy’s reliance on a stratified society, ensuring that power and influence remained concentrated among the First and Second Estates, with the Third Estate relegated to an inferior position.
Who was Maximilien Robespierre?
The primary leader during the Reign of Terror (1793–1794). Robespierre played a key role in instituting policies aimed at rooting out counter-revolutionaries and consolidating power through measures that included mass executions by guillotine.
What is absolutism?
A system of government where the monarch holds total power and authority, often justified by divine right.
What were the names of the two islands Napoleon was sent to during exile?
Elba and St. Helena
Sovereignty
The concept of supreme authority or power, particularly regarding the people's right to self-governance. During the French Revolution, this idea was fundamental in shifting power from the monarchy to the people and their representatives.
What are divine rights?
the political and religious doctrine that asserts that a monarch’s authority to rule comes directly from God, rather than from any earthly source or the consent of the governed. This belief held that the king was chosen by God and was thus above any human authority, making the monarch answerable only to God and not to their subjects or any institution
Describe how the French Revolution reflected Enlightenment ideas, particularly regarding equality and rights.
Abolition of Feudal Privileges, Secularization of Society (church less important in government), Legal Reforms, Resistance to Tyranny, end of absolutism
Name 3 liberal philosophers (that we studied in class)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Montesquieu, Voltaire, John Locke
How did Napoleon lose his power?
Invasion of Russia (1812), Defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, Abdication and Exile (twice)
Separation of powers
A principle proposed by Enlightenment thinker Montesquieu, advocating for the division of government into distinct branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) to prevent abuses of power.
What was the Estates-General?
The assembly that represented the three estates of France—the clergy, the nobility, and the common people (the Third Estate). It was convened by King Louis XVI in 1789 to address the financial crisis, but it ultimately became a catalyst for the Revolution as the Third Estate broke away to form the National Assembly.
What is the difference between an absolute monarchy and a constitutional monarchy?
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which the monarch’s powers are limited by a constitution or legislative body, ensuring that they share authority with elected representatives. In contrast, an absolute monarchy grants the monarch full and unchecked power, ruling without legal or political limitations.
What was the coup called where Napoleon rose to power as first consul?
Coup of 18 Brumaire
Enlightenment
An intellectual and philosophical movement of the 18th century that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional doctrines. Enlightenment ideas inspired many of the democratic and republican principles that fueled the French Revolution.
What are manorial rights?
The privileges and obligations that landlords and noblemen held over peasants in pre-revolutionary France, including taxes and labor duties
What is census suffrage?
form of voting system in which the right to vote is limited to individuals who meet certain property or wealth qualifications, often determined by a census or assessment of their financial status.
THIS IS THE FINAL QUESTION
What is the difference between the Napoleonic Code and the Bill of Rights?
the Napoleonic Code is a civil code focused on legal equality, property rights, and comprehensive civil law, while the Bill of Rights is a set of amendments that explicitly protects individual liberties from government infringement (human rights)
what key principle did the Napoleonic Code establish?
The Napoleonic Code holds the principle that “Men are born free and equal in rights” and established the uniform application of laws, abolishing privileges based on birth and securing property rights. This legal framework represented a significant shift from the inequities of the Ancien Régime and reinforced Enlightenment ideals of equality and rational justice.