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A level History > French History > Flashcards

French History Flashcards

(43 cards)

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1
Q

Define:
Ancien Regime
Absolutism
Constitutional monarchy
Republic

A

Ancien Regime- “the old regime”, the social and political landscape of pre-revolutionary France

Absolutism- where the sovereign/monarch is in total control

Constitutional monarchy- power is shared between the monarch and an elected government

Republic- a country with no monarch but a government

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2
Q

Why is the French revolution important (4)

A

stirs passionate feelings and discussions to this day/ stayed relevant
ideas and attitudes can be linked/ compared to today
influenced other revolutions
shows the union of people for a cause to benefit them all

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3
Q

What were the short term effects of the revolution (6)

A

brief euphoria and unity of French people
Enlightenment
showed that immediate change was possible and people have power
collapse of status quo
fear across EU leaders
de-Christianisation

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4
Q

What were the long term effects of the revolution (3)

A

influenced other revolutions
secularisation
Enlightenment

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5
Q

What was the name for the outdated and unfair system of rule in pre-Revolutionary France?

A

Ancien Regime

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6
Q

Who was the French king that ruled during the time of the French Revolution?

A

Louis XVI

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7
Q

Louis XVI is best described as what type of ruler?

A

An absolute ruler

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8
Q

Who was the wife of Louis XVI

A

Marie Antoinette

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9
Q

What was the name of the royal dynasty that ruled France from 1589 to 1793 and from 1814 to 1830?

A

Bourbon dynasty

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10
Q

What happened on 14 July 1789?

A

Storming of the Bastille and the popular date for the start of the revolution

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11
Q

What was the slogan used during the French Revolution?

A

Liberté, equalité, fraternité

Liberty, equality, fraternity

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12
Q

Who is a counter-revolutionary

A

Someone who actively criticises the revolution and wants to return to the status quo

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13
Q

What were the positives of Robespierre (5)

A

Campaigned for the rights of women and the workers
Temporarily abolishes slavery
Left-wing in an absolutist time
A very vocal orator (an eloquent of skilled public speaker)
(Ironically) he was against capital punishment

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14
Q

What were the negatives of Robespierre (3)

A

He governed by terror
He was a dictator
He created the cult of the Supreme being

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15
Q

Why was Robespierre significant

A

He was a radical revolutionist who held a lot of power following the execution of King Louis XVI

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16
Q

What was the population of France in the late 18th century compared to Britian

A

28-29 million (Br had 8.5 million)

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17
Q

What was the population of Paris in the late 18th century compared to London

A

600K - 650K (1 mil lived in London)

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18
Q

What % of France’s population were peasants

19
Q

What was a peasant

Study These Flashcards
A

Typically farmers who lived on land owned by nobles and had to pay taxes. They were typically controlled by a landlord

20
Q

What was the average life expectancy in France

21
Q

Why was the life expectancy so low?

Study These Flashcards
A

Labour
Limited space due to too many people
Diseases
Too heavy reliance on the agrarian/agricultural economy (which relies on good weather)
illeterate nation where kids would have to work

22
Q

How was society divided in the late 1700s (2)

Study These Flashcards
A

3 estates, the 1st and 2nd exploited the 3rd
pre-rev France was a patriarchy

23
Q

How was the 3rd estate spilt (4)

Study These Flashcards
A

top- bourgeoisie and middle class (business people)

middle- skilled and unskilled urban workers (skilled were artisans)

bottom- rural workers, peasants

bottom, bottom- vagabonds, homeless and unemployed

24
Q

How likely was social mobility

Study These Flashcards
A

Social mobility was was likely for the top of the third estate due to venal offices

25
What were venal offices
An office sold by the state to raise money. These offices, were mostly in areas of the judicial system,
26
Where were women included in the estate system
They were outside of it
27
Was society based on wealth or status and how do we know that
Society was based on status and the priviliges granted as a result of that (eg, the 1st and 2nd estates payed fewer taxes despite earning more). We know this as nobility was often hereditary and wealthy people still belonged to the third estate
28
What was the literary ability in France and in Paris
France: 50% Paris: 60%
29
What was described as literary ability and how was this gained (generally)
Literary ability was the ability to write your own name, this was generally taught by the church
30
What was the public sphere
A public sphere was a social place where public opinion was formed and spread
31
How important was religion in society, what stats prove this How were people of a different religion treated
It was integral as 97% were catholic, 2% Protestant and 1% Jew Huguenots and Jews were prosecuted, excommunicated and outside of the estate system
32
What were the causes and results (2) of a bad agricultural economy
Cause: bad weather resulting in bad harvests Consequences: high criminality (prostitution, smuggling salt), high poverty rates, starvation due to a lack of bread (a staple)
33
What was salt taxation called and why was salt so important
Gabelle was the salt taxation implemented as people would smuggle salt to use it for food preservation
34
How did censorship and propaganda change during the 18th century and what was the result of this
Initially, there were only 3 newspapers that were all managed by the government Overtime, press increased and by 1785, there were over 80 newspapers Ideas challenging the king were being spread
35
What happened in masonic lodges
20,000 people joined secret societies, donated money to charities and debated new ideas
36
How was the population of the estates reflected in the population
The clergy (1st estate) made up 1% of the population The nobility (2nd estate) made up 2% of the population The commoners (3rd estate) made up 97% of the population
37
Give points to prove the French Revolution was inevitable (4)
Explosion of means of communication so ideas began to spread over the years (masonic lodges, public spheres and newspapers) Tensions grew between and within the estates (2nd estates disapproved of venal offices) The middle classes became more educated and politicised The working class and peasantry became disgruntled
38
Give points to prove the French Revolution was not inevitable (5)
Religion kept the population loyal to the king (DRoK) Taxes were used to develop a strong army loyal to the king Those in power who benefitted from the Ancien regime would wish to prevent revolution A majority accepted the status quo (deeply religious) and the Ancien Regime existed for many centuries Working classes were preoccupied worrying about food pre 1780s revolutionary mood was only felt by a few
39
Who were the main starters of the revolution and why? Who also agreed with the revolution?
The bougeoisie (3rd estate) started the revolution as they payed a lot of taxes but could not vote on how the country was run The second estate (esp those who gained their position from venal offices) also had liberal views and supported the revolution
40
What is the difference between absolutism and despotism
In absolutism, the monarch has unlimited power but has to maintain the respect and reverence of the people. A despot has unlimited powers but uses fear, intimidation and terror to rule
41
What were the key features of Louis XVI's absolutism? > Where did he stand in the estate system > How was his power and responsibility shared > Who did he consult with on policies and out of these who was the most important > How was France separated and how did this benefit the king
He was the highest nobleman; top of the estate system and was only answerable to God He did not share his power with any representative assembly and was personally responsible for the French government He consulted with chief ministers and and royal councils on the formation of policies. His most important minister was the finance minister/ controller General - he had 12 altogether France was separated in 33 generalities each with and Intendant (government official) who served as the King's local servant (collected taxes and informing the King of what's going on).
42
Who was the Duke of Orleans and why is he relevant
The Duke of Orleans would tell the people of Paris what happens in Versailles (eg. the Queen's hamlet)
43
What are the three pillars of absolutism
Inherited sovereignty Support of his subjects Religion and sovereignty due to the DRok and GCoB

A level History (2 decks)

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