The People Have Power
pamphlet that advocated for immediate independence from Great Britain and to convince colonists to support the creation of a democratic, republican government
Common Sense (Thomas Paine)
a radical leader of the French Revolution and the primary architect of the Reign of Terror
Maximillian Robespierre
violent phase of the French Revolution marked by mass executions, political purges, and repression
The Reign of Terror
divided society into three rigid legal and social classes before the French Revolution
Estates System
final major battle of the American Revolutionary War, where combined American and French forces defeated the British and secured independence
Yorktown (1781)
authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people
Popular Sovereignty
last absolute monarch of France before the collapse during the French Revolution, culminating in his trial and execution by guillotine
Louis XVI
a sudden, illegal, and often violent overthrow of an existing government by a small group, such as military officers or political insiders
Coup d’état
held in Philadelphia, meeting that replaced the failing Articles of Confederation with a durable framework of federal law, separation of powers, and representative government
Constitutional Convention
officially ended the American Revolutionary War and established Great Britain's formal recognition of the United States as an independent nation
1783 Treaty of Paris
the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution that protect individual liberties and limit federal power
Bill of Rights
last Queen of France whose lavish lifestyle and political interference led to her execution by guillotine during the Reign of Terror
Marie Antoinette
radical political sect during the French Revolution that pushed for democracy, overthrew the French monarchy, and led the Reign of Terror
Jacobin Club
created a loose "league of friendship" among 13 sovereign and independent states, leaving most governing power with the state governments rather than a strong central authority
Articles of Confederation
legislative body composed of representatives of France that replaced the estates system
National Assembly
adopted by France's National Assembly, it states that all people are born free and equal in rights, and that the goal of any political association is to preserve natural and inalienable human rights
Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
Secretary of State that directed British global strategy, leading Britain to major victories over France in North America
William Pitt
fundamental set of rules, principles, or laws that establishes how the United States is governed, defines the powers of government, and protects the rights of its citizens
Constitution
competition between Great Britain and France over control of the colonies and expansion into North America, Britain goes into great debt to win
French and Indian War
social class of people who own the means of production (such as factories, businesses, and land) or represent the wealthy and commercial middle class
Bourgeoise