The French Revolution and Napoleon 1790-1815

History

The political system in France from the Late Middle Ages until the French Revolution

Ancien regime

The political system in France from the Late Middle Ages until the French Revolution ancien rgime. The ancien rgime was the period when France was ruled by kings, with a rigid social structure and powerful nobility.

A finance minister for Louis XVI and a French statesman

Jacques Necker

A finance minister for Louis XVI and a French statesman. Jacques Necker. He was a key financial advisor before the French Revolution, trying to reform the monarchy's finances.

The orders of social hierarchy used in Christian Europe

Estate

The orders of social hierarchy used in Christian Europe estate. An estate is a division of society into classes, like the clergy, nobility, and commoners, during medieval Europe.

A legislative and consultative assembly of the different classes of French subjects

Estates-General

A legislative and consultative assembly of the different classes of French subjects. Estates-General. The Estates-General was a meeting of representatives from France's three social classes to discuss national issues.

A social class of people who own the means of production

Bourgeoisie

A social class of people who own the means of production. Bourgeoisie. In history, the bourgeoisie refers to the middle and upper-class people who controlled business and industry, often influencing society and politics.

The lists of grievances drawn up by each of the three Estates in France

Cahiers

The lists of grievances drawn up by each of the three Estates in France. Cahiers. Cahiers were documents that listed the concerns and demands of the French people before the Revolution.

The amount by which spending exceeds revenue

Deficit spending

The amount by which spending exceeds revenue is called deficit spending. In history, deficit spending was famously used during the Great Depression to stimulate economic growth.

A pledge signed by members of France's Third Estate

Tennis Court Oath

A pledge signed by members of France's Third Estate. Tennis Court Oath. The Tennis Court Oath was a vow made in 1789 by members of the Third Estate to continue meeting until a new constitution for France was established.

The last king of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution

Louis XVI

The last king of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution. Louis XVI. He was the king executed during the French Revolution, marking the end of absolute monarchy in France.

A prison in Paris which was attacked by rebels from the third estate

Bastille

A prison in Paris which was attacked by rebels from the third estate. Bastille. The Bastille was a fortress-prison in Paris that became a symbol of the French Revolution after its storming by revolutionaries on July 14, 1789.

A group of people with common political purpose that differs from a larger entity

Faction

A group of people with common political purpose that differs from a larger entity. Faction. In history, a faction is a smaller group within a larger group, often in politics, that has different ideas or interests.

A person who has emigrated, usually as political or social self-exile

Emigre

A person who has emigrated, usually as political or social self-exile. Emigre. In history, an emigre is someone who leaves their country, often due to political reasons, like the French nobles who fled during the French Revolution.

A French aristocrat military officer and a key figure in the French Revolution

Marquis de Lafayette

A French aristocrat military officer and a key figure in the French Revolution. Marquis de Lafayette. Lafayette was a leader who helped France and the American colonies during their revolutions.

A French activist, feminist, playwright and political writer

Olympe de Gouges

A French activist, feminist, playwright and political writer. Olympe de Gouges. She was a revolutionary figure who advocated for women's rights during the French Revolution.

A form of government in which the country is considered a ‘public matter’

Republic

A form of government in which the country is considered a public matter. Republic. In a republic, the people elect leaders to make decisions on their behalf.

The last queen of France before the French Revolution

Marie Antoinette

The last queen of France before the French Revolution. Marie Antoinette. She was an Austrian princess who became known for her lavish lifestyle and was executed during the Revolution.

The most influential political club during the French Revolution

Jacobins

The most influential political club during the French Revolution Jacobins. The Jacobins were a radical group that played a key role in the French Revolution, advocating for democratic reforms and executing King Louis XVI.

The right to vote in public

Suffrage

The right to vote in public. suffrage. Suffrage is the right to vote in political elections.

A military leader and Emperor of the French

Napoleon

A military leader and Emperor of the French. Napoleon. He was a powerful figure who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and became famous for his role in expanding French territory across Europe.

One of the best-known leaders of the French Revolution

Robespierre

One of the best-known leaders of the French Revolution, Robespierre. He was a key figure in the Reign of Terror, advocating for radical changes and the execution of perceived enemies of the revolution.

An ideology that promotes the interests of a nation with the aim of gaining and maintaining sovereignty over its homeland

Nationalism

An ideology that promotes the interests of a nation with the aim of gaining and maintaining sovereignty over its homeland. Nationalism. In history, nationalism is the belief that people sharing a common culture and identity should have their own independent country.

A period of the French Revolution with a series of massacres and numerous public executions

Reign of Terror

A period of the French Revolution with a series of massacres and numerous public executions. Reign of Terror. The Reign of Terror was a time during the French Revolution when many people were executed for being perceived as enemies of the revolution.

The city which was a focal point of the French Revolution

Marseille

The city which was a focal point of the French Revolution. Marseille. Marseille is a major port city in southern France known for its historical significance and cultural influence.

An apparatus designed for carrying out executions by beheading

Guillotine

An apparatus designed for carrying out executions by beheading. Guillotine. It was a device used during the French Revolution for public executions.

A type of vote to change the constitution or government of a country

Plebiscite

A type of vote to change the constitution or government of a country. Plebiscite. A plebiscite is a direct vote by the people to decide on a specific political question or issue.

A military strategy to destroy anything that might be useful to the enemy

Scorched-earth policy

A military strategy to destroy anything that might be useful to the enemy. Scorched-earth policy is when a retreating army destroys resources like crops and buildings to prevent their enemy from using them.

The French civil code established under the French Consulate in 1804

Napoleonic Code

The French civil code established under the French Consulate in 1804. Napoleonic Code. The Napoleonic Code is a set of laws that laid the foundation for modern legal systems in many countries by emphasizing clear, accessible laws and individual rights over privileges.

The act of resigning monarchical authority

Abdicate

The act of resigning monarchical authority. abdicate. In History, abdicate means a king or queen gives up their throne.

The forceful takeover of one state's territory by another

Annexation

The forceful takeover of one state's territory by another. annexation. Annexation is when a country takes over another area's land and makes it part of its own territory.

A conference of ambassadors of the major powers of Europe (1814-1815)

Congress of Vienna

A conference of ambassadors of the major powers of Europe 1814-1815. Congress of Vienna. It was a meeting to restore order and balance in Europe after the defeat of Napoleon.

The foreign policy of Napoleon against the United Kingdom

Continental System

The foreign policy of Napoleon against the United Kingdom. Continental System. The Continental System was a blockade aimed at damaging Britain's economy by prohibiting European trade with them.

The right and acceptance of an authority

Legitimacy

The right and acceptance of an authority. Legitimacy. In history, legitimacy is the acceptance and recognition of a ruler or government's right to govern by the people.

A small groups of civilian combatants who attacks a regular army

Guerrilla warfare

A small groups of civilian combatants who attacks a regular army. Guerrilla warfare is a tactic used by smaller groups using surprise attacks and ambushes to fight larger traditional military forces.

Represented the European balance of power in two phases

Concert of Europe

Represented the European balance of power in two phases. Concert of Europe. The Concert of Europe was an agreement among major European powers in the 19th century to maintain peace and stability through cooperation and diplomacy.