The French Revolution Flashcards

1
Q

how long did The French Revolution last?

A

Lasted 25 years - between 2789 and 1814

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2
Q

what were the 3 main reasons for the outbreak of revolution in France?

A

Constitutional Crisis
financial crisis
Role of the Bourgeoises

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3
Q

reasons for outbreak: constitutional crisis

A

The french constitution, which was in an absolutist style of monarchy - faced many challenges

-failures in governance
-ministerial instability
-military defeats
all contributed to the idea that the system was no longer effective

new enlightenment ideas further eroded the authority of despotic monarchs

ideas of ‘nation’, ‘public opinion’ and ‘citizen’ gained more popularity

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4
Q

Absolutism

A

a political system in which a single monarchy holds complete power over country

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5
Q

The estates general

A

a Three chambered assembly of the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners - summoned by King Louis XVI to deal with crisis

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6
Q

The National assembly

A

The Third estate of the estates general split from the Royal Authority and formed national assembly

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7
Q

Reason for outbreak: financial crisis

A

several wars that France was involved with (7 years war and american war of independence) created and added to financial distress (debt) on French crown

a rapidly growing population outpaced food production leading to famine and widespread starvation in rural areas

rising prices in Paris triggered bread riots, highlighting the economic distress of citizens

financial crisis triggered political crisis

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8
Q

reason for outbreak: role of the Bourgeoisie

A

the Bourgeoisie - a rising social order with new found wealth and influence, played a critical role.

Highly critical of the current regime and sought for change

their exact impact is debated, however their desire for a voice in administration and their dissatisfaction with the existing system contributed to the revolutionary climate

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9
Q

The beginning of the Revolution

A

June 1789: 3rd estate walks out and declared as ‘representing the people’ and demand a constitution

July 1789: storming of the Bastile

August 1789: abolition of Absolutism

National Assembly also issues the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

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10
Q

Storming of the Bastille

A

Revolutionary insurgents attempted to storm and seize control of the Bastille

significant as the Bastille represented royal authority in heart of Paris. Symbolised the monarchy’s abuse of power

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11
Q

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

A

a fundamental document that granted rights to some commoners.

included:

-sovereignty of the Nation
-equality of citizens
-rule of law - end of arbitrary measures
-protection of private property

the declaration influenced the idea of individual freedoms and universal equality. it inspired the French Revolution

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12
Q

Radicalization and the terror: background

A

The national Assembly aimed to establish a constitutional monarchy

1791: King Louis XVI attempts to flee paris

It was discovered that the Royal family had correspondence with foreign monarchs to restore control over France which fueled radicalization

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13
Q

Radicalization

A
  • new French constitution passed in october 1791

-france became a constitutional monarchy

-the new constitution has abolished the monarchy and made France into a republic with universal manhood suffrage

-a war was declared on Austria by the national assembly due to fear of foreign invasion

january 1793: louis XVI was executed as a traitor to the republic

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14
Q

the reign of Terror

A

in response to building military pressures the government created a dictatorial emergency committee called: The committee for public safety led by Maximillen Robespierre

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15
Q

Maximillien Robespierre

A

the radical jacobin leader of the Committee of Public safety

called ‘incorruptible’ for his single minded focus on seeing the revolution succeed

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16
Q

the reign of terror: the role of the committee of public safety

A

they attempted to reorganize and ‘rationalise’ french society as a whole

-in wielding dictatorial power, repression, trials and persecution became normal

they also:

-creation of of new calendar#
-‘de-christianisation’ of the nation

  • suspected traitors of the revolution were arrested, interrogated and confronted with possibility of imprisonment or execution

-estimates vary, however somewhere between 35,000 and 55,000 accused enemies were executed or died in prison during the terror

17
Q

Pro-Jacobin interpretation of the Terror

A

Blood shed was regrettable but necessary to defend revolution from anti-revolutionary forces, war and economic crisis

necessary to make a clean break with the past and carry the revolution to its fullest outcome

18
Q

The Directory Stage

A

After the downfall of Robsepierre in 1794, the directory or Directorate was government of france between 1795 and 1799

19
Q

challenges facing the directory

A

-financial chaos and looming bankruptcy

-political challenges from left and right

-continuation of war with Austria, Prussia and Britain

20
Q

challenges facing the directory: Financial chaos and looming bankruptcy

A
  • rampant inflation
    -the collapse of the paper currency, March 1796
21
Q

challenges facing the directory: political challenges from left and right

A

-fear of the jacobins: conspiracies and rumors
- anti-revolutionary activities of exiles
- peasant revolts in the west

22
Q

challenges facing the directory: continuation of war with Austria, Prussia and Britain

A

-from defensive to offensive war
-rise of artillery general Buonaparte
-napoleons coup of 18 Brumaire

23
Q

Napoloens coup d’etat (18 Brumaire)

A

-deployed troops around Paris
-convinced members of directorate to resign
-appointed new compliant commission to draft new constitution

-napoleon emerged as first Consul of France, setting stage for his eventual dictatorship as emperor

24
Q

Napoleon’s Rule

A

He centralised the government, instituted reform in areas such as banking and education, supported science and the arts and sought to improve relations between his regime and the pope

25
Q

Did Napoleon complete or kill the Revolution?

A
  • re-establishment of the catholic church as main religion in 1802
  • reintroduction of slavery in 1802 - reversing the abolition of 1794
  • reversing womans right with civil code of 1804
  • abolition of any meaningful parliamentarism or political participation
  • ending republicanism and reintroducing dynastic rule
  • napoleon’s brothers and brothers in law as kings across Europe
26
Q

Visions for the future: Jacobins

A

-breaking with monarchy, introducing republicanism

-strengthening the state and centralisation of power to ensure ‘equality’, consistency and rationality for all citizens across regional differences

-ruling in the name of abstract notion of ‘the people’ or the ‘the nation’

-breaking with Catholicism and Christianity, introducing the ‘cult of the supreme being’

27
Q

the long term consequences of the French Revolution: Social revolution

A
  • destruction of old nobility –> but new napoloenic nobility

rise of bourgeois (notables) –> wealthy and educated upper middle class as dominant group

gradual marginalisation of the upper catholic clergy and old nobility

28
Q

the long term consequences of the French Revolution: a cultural revolution

A

a new vocab for a new political culture

secularation as a revolutionary goal

a new culture of ‘rationality’: metric system, new calendar

29
Q

Long term impacts of French Revolution: Towards democracy: inclusion and exclusion

A
  • napoleon introducing universal malehood suffrage

over time universal malehood suffrage was restricted again to those with wealth but it was reintroduced in the 3rd republic.

votes for women was introduced in 1944

30
Q

Long term impacts of French Revolution: long term impact on religion

A

de-Christianity: secularisation and seperation of church ans state

freedom of religion and citizenship rights for Jews and Protestants

31
Q

The catholic Church as one of the main casualties of the French Revolution

A

abolition of religious order

requirement of clergy to swear an oath of allegiance to constitution

expropriation of land and valuables to the catholic church

32
Q

why did the French Revolution resonate with people all over Europe: sympathetic assessments

A

shared intellectual references to enlightenment philosophy

universalism: Europeans flocked to Paris to become part of the Revolution

many early supporters became critics when the Revolution radicalised in 1792

33
Q

what inspiration did European observers take from the French Revolution

A

abolition of absolutism: some form of power - shared with a constitutional king or queen

rule by the people –> constitutionalism –> parliamentarism –> democracy

legitimacy based on nation instead of god

criticism of the social order based on states