estates
order of social hierarchy in France until the French Revolution
tithes
tax for support of chruch and clergy
the grand tour
trip around major european capitals to complete an aristocratic son's education
patrician
aristocrat or nobleman
bourgeoisie
middle class
cahiers de doleances
lists of grievances drawn up by the 3 estates
abbe steyes
French clergyman and political writer
national assembly
revolutionary assembly formed by representatives of the Third Estate
Tennis Court Oath
The national assembly agreement to remain united and create their own constitution
the Bastille
fortress and prison stormed by revolutionaries in protest, was symbol of tyranny
National guard
French militia tasked with policing and as a military reserve
The Great Fear
general panic that took place at the beginning of the French Revolution
Declaration of the Rights and Man and citizen
political document that preceded the country's first republican constitution
assignat
paper money issued by the French National Assembly
Civil Constitution of the clergy
passed to make the church subordinate to the French government
Legislative Assembly
legislature of France during French Revolution
active citizens
males who elected legislators, passed tax qualifications
Jacobins
members of a revolutionary political movement
Declaration of Pillnitz
issued by Frederick William II of Prussia, expressing concern over developments in France
the Marseillaise
national anthem of France, adopted during the revolution
Paris commune
radical socialist and revolutionary government that ruled shortly after the defeat of Napoleon III
Sans-culottes
lower class Parisian Republicans in the French Revolution
Georges Danton
First president of the committee of public saftey
National Convention
First French government organized as a republic
Girondins
political faction within legislative assembly and National Convention
Mountain
political group who had members in highest position, led by Robespierre
Committee of Public Safety
formed executive government of France during the reign of terror
Maximillien Robespierre
French lawyer and politician, associated with reign of terror
nation in arms
650,000 troops mobilized, people's war fought by people
total war
full devotion of resources of a country towards war , all targets are fair game
Reign of terror
period after establishment of First French Republic
de-Christianization
various policies that secularized France from 1789-1801
Touissant L'Overture
Leader of Haitian Revolution
Thermidorean Reaction
the beheading and arrest of Robespierre and his associates
Constitution of 1795
prepared by Thermidorean convention, much more conservative than previous constitution
directory
group of 5 men who held the executive power in France; chosen by legislature
Napoleon Bonaparte
Emperor of France from 1804 until 1814, rose through military ranks
Josaphine de Beaharnais
first wife of Napoleon and first Empress of France
coup d'etat
violent, sudden and illegal seizure of governmental power
concordat
an agreement or treaty, especially between the vatican and a secular government
Code Napoleon, civil code
French civil code established under Napoleon in 1804; drafted by a commission of four eminent jurists
prefects
new official that replaced elected assemblies
conscription
compulsory enlistment for state service
Germaine de Stael
French woman of letter of Swiss origin
army
Napoleon's grand army of 600k that invaded Russia in 1812
Continental System
Blockade against Great Britain by Napoleon, attempt to weaken British economy
nationalism
patriotic feelings principles or efforts