Terms+to+Know

French Revolution: Terms to Know

Divine Right- belief that you obtained power from the gods for the right to rule Limited monarch- monarch whose power is limited by a constitutional monarchy Decrees of August 4- tried to improve peasants life, actually improved certain aspects of France: abolished medieval rights given to Nobles, attempted to create social equality (in theory) National Assembly-revolutionary assembly formed by revolutionaries in the third estates general Liberty, Equality, Fraternity- national motto of french revolutionaries Bastille- famous prison in france, fell in 1789 to the revolutionaries, used for guns (armory), symbol of kings's power July 14, 1789- The Fall of the Bastille Legislative Assembly- legislature of france from oct. 1791 to Sept, 1792 during the French Revolution April 1792-france declares war on Prussia and Austria August 1792-king had no more authority, one of bloodiest days of revolution, fall of the monarchy Estates-General- representation system in France, very controversial and fake, divided into 3 branches (Nobility, Clergies, Common people (Everyone else)), the two upper classes always voted together and only 2/3 of a vote was needed for laws, lower class never got any laws to their benefit, had no say in governement Girondists September Massacres- mass killing of prisoners, began "Reign of Terror" Versailles- beautiful palace near Paris, built by Loius XIV because Tuileries was too "small", Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette lived there before their house arrest Marie Antoinette- Queen of France while married to Loius XVI, originally from Austria, daughter of Maria Thersea, incredibly upset about the loveless marriage so she bought a lot and lived a glamorous lifestyle, blinded to the outside world of the poor Loius XVI- The 16th king of France, originally his brother was supposed to rule but he died before his coronation, Louis wasn't prepared to be king, had no experience or training, ruled for 18 years, considered a "pathetic slob", ignored the outside world like his wife did, despised by the lower classes Guillotine- new invention during the French Revolution, considered a more humane way of execution January 21, 1793- Loius XVI executed Jacobins- new political party during French Revolution, very left of the spectrum (radicals) Reign of Terror- (1793-1794) Robespierre kills tens of thousands of people who sympathize at all the nobles, France thrown back into chaos, Committee of Public Safety created, Robespierre kills Danton, rumored he killed Marat (his two Jacobins friends), ended with the execution of Robespierre Absolute Monarchy- ruler had complete control Napoleon Bonaparte-asked to restore order in france, young military general and a war hero Parlements'- supreme court in French government 'Emigres'- French nobles who fled France and returned, wanted things to go back to the way they were Rousseau- (1712-1778) Believed that the Gov. is necessary, but sometimes needs to be changed or be reformed, we need it although it can be evil/negative Seven Years War-war comprised of two struggles: Britain VS France and Spain, Prussia VS Austria, France, Russia, Sweden The Directory-consisted of 5 directors, the gov. of France during the penultimate time of the revolution Robespierre- member of the Jacobin political party, vehemently against noble class/king, began the Reign of terror, created the Committee of Public Safety, murdered thousands of people who he believed sympathized with the nobility at all, eventually driven to a cold, chaotic rage, used power unfairly and unjustly