reason
Enlightened thinkers believed truth could be discovered through reason or logical thinking
Declaration of Independence
a document firmly based on the ideas of John Locke, and Enlightenment reflected ideals in its eloquent argument for natural rights; written by Thomas Jefferson
checks and balances
branches of government with each branch checking the actions of the other two
federal system
a system in which power was divided between national and state governments
Bill of Rights
10 amendments that protected such basic rights as freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion
Old Regime
the social and political system. Under this system, the people of France were divided into 3 large social classes or estates
estate
1st estate- clergy of Roman Catholic Church, provide education and relief to poor, contributed 2% of income to government, scorned Enlightenment ideas because it threatened their social status2nd estate- rich nobles, paid almost no taxes, scorned Enlightenment ideas because it threatened their social status3rd estate- urban workers, received low pay, frequently out of work, often went hungry, 80% were peasants
Estates General
an assembly of representatives from all 3 estates
National Assembly
3rd estate delegates that pass laws and reforms in the name of the French people. This proclaimed the end of absolute monarchy and the beginning of representative government.
Tennis Court Oath
a pledge made to stay on the tennis court until a new constitution was drawn up
Great Fear
a wave of senseless panic about a rumor stating that nobles were hiring outlaws to terrorize the peasants
Legislative Assembly
a new legislative body that had the power to create laws and to approve or reject declarations of war
émigrés
nobles and other who fled France and hoped to undo the Revolution and restore the Old Regime
Reign of Terror
The Committee of Public Safety tried people in the morning and guillotined them in the afternoon. Robespierre justifies his use of terror by suggesting that it enables French citizens to remain true to the ideals of the Revolution.
coup d'etat
blow to the state. Britain, Austria, and Russia joined forces to drive Napoleon from power. After returning from Egypt, Napoleon quickly got the title of first consul and assumed the power of dictator.
concordat
agreement. Napoleon signed one with Pope Pius VII to establish a relationship between the Church and the state. The government realized the influence of the Church, but rejected the Church control in national affairs. The concordat gained Napoleon the support of the organized Church as well as the majority of the French people.
Napoleonic Code
Napoleon's comprehensive system of laws. This gave the country a uniform set of laws and eliminated many injustices. It limited liberty and promoted order and authority over individual rights. Freedom of speech and press were restricted under this code. The code also restored slavery in the French colonies of the Caribbean.
Concert of Europe
a series of alliances devised by the Metternich ensured that nations would help one another if any revolutions broke out
What was the Enlightenment?
The Enlightenment was a new intellectual movement that stressed reason and thought and the power of individuals to solve problems.
What were three long term effects of the Enlightenment that helped shape Western civilization?
The three long term effects were belief in progress, a more secular outlook, and the importance of the individual.
How did the Constitution and the Bill of Rights reflect Enlightenment ideas?
Both documents put Enlightenment ideas into practice. They expressed an optimistic view that reason and reform could prevails and that progress was inevitable.
How did Enlightenment ideas contribute to the revolutionary mood in France?
Members of the 3rd estate were inspired by the success of the American Revolution. They began questioning the long-standing notions about the structure of society. They began to demand equality, liberty, and democracy.
What effects did the September Massacres have on the government?
The Legislative Assembly set aside the Constitution of 1791. It declared the king deposed, dissolved the assembly, and called for the election of a new legislature. This new governing body (the National Convention) took office on September 21. It quickly abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic. Adult male citizens were granted the right to vote and hold office.
Explain Napoleon's coup d'etat to gain power in France.
When Napoleon returned from Egypt, his friend urged him to seize political power. Troops surrounded and drove out most of the national legislature. Those that remained established a new group of 3 consuls, one of whom was Napoleon. Napoleon quickly took the title of first consul and assumed the powers of a dictator.
Describe the three steps, initiated by Klemens von Matternich, that the Congress of Vienna took to restore order in Europe.
First, he wanted to prevent future French aggression by surrounding France with strong countries. Second, he wanted to restore a balance of power, so that no country would be a threat to the others. Third, he wanted to restore Europe's royal families to the throne they held before Napoleon's conquests.
believed that people should hand over their rights to a ruler in exchange for law and order; known as the social contract
Thomas Hobbes
believed that people had the natural ability to govern their own affairs and to look after the welfare of society; favored the idea of self-government
John Locke
fought for tolerance, reason, freedom of religious belief, and freedom of speech
Voltaire
proposed the separation of powers, so no group or individual could gain total control of the government
Montesquieu
believed good government was one freely formed by the people; all people are equal; titles of nobility should be abolished
Rousseau
believed laws existed to preserve social order; person accused should receive a speedy trial; torture should never be used; degree of punishment based on seriousness of crime; capital punishment should be abolished
Beccaria
argued that women need education to become virtuous and useful; urged women to enter the male-dominated fields of medicine and politics
Mary Wollstonecraft
political leader who wrote the Declaration of Independence; supported free speech, religious freedom, and other civil liberties, but was also a slave owner; was a statesman, inventor, and architect
Thomas Jefferson
the King of France before the French Revolution, he put France into heavy debt, and was an ineffective leader
Louis XVI
the Queen of France before the French Revolution, she ofter gave Louis XVI bad advice, and helped put France into debt
Marie Antoinette
His rule in France became known as the Reign of Terror because he sent many of his enemies to the guillotine
Robespierre
the foreign minister of Austria, who was the most influential representative of the Congress of Vienna
Klemens von Matternich