unit 3: french rev and napoleon Flashcards
(116 cards)
1
Q
What was the political system in France before the French Revolution?
A
Absolute monarchy with no limits on the power of the king
2
Q
Who was the king of France during the French Revolution?
A
Louis XVI of the Bourbon dynasty
3
Q
Who was Marie Antoinette?
A
The extravagant wife of Louis XVI and a member of the Habsburg dynasty
4
Q
What was the Estates General?
A
An assembly representing the three social classes of France
5
Q
List the three estates in France.
A
- First Estate: Catholic Church
- Second Estate: Nobility
- Third Estate: Commoners
6
Q
What was the role of the First Estate?
A
The Catholic Church, which held significant power and wealth
7
Q
What characterized the Second Estate?
A
Nobility who owned land and did not pay taxes
8
Q
Who comprised the Third Estate?
A
Commoners, including poor peasants and middle-class individuals
9
Q
True or False: The Third Estate had significant political power.
A
False
10
Q
What was a major factor leading to the discontent of the Third Estate?
A
Lack of political voice and representation
11
Q
What philosophical movement influenced the French Revolution?
A
The Enlightenment
12
Q
Who were key Enlightenment thinkers mentioned in relation to the French Revolution?
A
- Voltaire
- Rousseau
- John Locke
13
Q
What economic crisis contributed to the French Revolution?
A
Bankruptcy of the French government due to wars and mismanagement
14
Q
What wars contributed to France’s economic problems?
A
- Seven Years War
- American Revolution
15
Q
What was the impact of Louis XVI’s and Marie Antoinette’s spending?
A
Increased national debt and public discontent
16
Q
What was Jacques Necker’s role?
A
Finance minister who advised raising taxes on the nobility
17
Q
What did Louis XVI do instead of taxing the nobility?
A
He imposed taxes on common goods like flour and bread
18
Q
What event marked the start of the French Revolution?
A
The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789
19
Q
What was the significance of the Bastille?
A
A symbol of royal authority and oppression
20
Q
What did the members of the Third Estate form in 1789?
A
The National Assembly
21
Q
What was the Tennis Court Oath?
A
A pledge by the National Assembly to create a new constitution
22
Q
What was the goal of the National Assembly?
A
To create a better government and economic future for France
23
Q
What type of government did the National Assembly initially seek?
A
A constitutional monarchy
24
Q
What document did the National Assembly create reflecting Enlightenment ideals?
A
A declaration of rights
25
Fill in the blank: The Third Estate was approximately _____ of the French population.
97%
26
What was the public response to rising bread prices?
Bread riots and violence against bakers
27
What was Marie Antoinette's reputation among the common people?
She was disliked for her lavish lifestyle and perceived indifference
28
What did Louis XVI prefer to do instead of governing?
Hobbies like hunting and tinkering with locks
29
What type of government did the National Assembly aim to establish in France?
A constitutional monarchy.
30
Who were the Enlightenment thinkers that influenced the Declaration of Rights in France?
Voltaire, Rousseau, and John Locke.
31
What is the French equivalent of the Bill of Rights in the United States?
The Declaration of the Rights of Man.
32
What key rights were declared in the Declaration of the Rights of Man?
* Free speech
* Equality before the law
* Freedom of religion
* Separation of church and state
* No more nobility or tax exemptions.
33
What event indicated the king's lack of support for the people's reform ideas?
His attempt to flee to Belgium.
34
What happened to the king and queen after being captured?
They were brought back to Paris as traitors.
35
What major political faction took control of the National Assembly during the revolution?
The Jacobins.
36
Who were prominent leaders of the Jacobins?
* Maximilien Robespierre
* Georges Danton
* Jean-Paul Marat.
37
What happened to King Louis XVI in 1793?
He was beheaded by guillotine.
38
What was the guillotine considered during the French Revolution?
A humane method of execution.
39
What was the Reign of Terror?
A period of extreme violence and mass executions led by the Jacobins.
40
What was the name of the governing body created to protect the republic during the Reign of Terror?
The Committee of Public Safety.
41
True or False: The Reign of Terror targeted only the king and queen.
False.
42
What was a common reason for execution during the Reign of Terror?
Being accused of treason or disloyalty.
43
What kind of trials were held during the Reign of Terror?
Very brief trials, often lasting five minutes.
44
What was the fate of Robespierre at the end of the Reign of Terror?
He was executed by guillotine.
45
What government replaced the radical Jacobins after Robespierre's fall?
The Directory.
46
What was one significant change the Directory implemented compared to the Jacobins?
They stopped the mass executions.
47
Who was appointed commander of the armed forces under the Directory?
Napoleon Bonaparte.
48
What was the primary goal of Napoleon as he rose to power?
To make France a great empire and power in Europe.
49
Fill in the blank: The guillotine was invented by _______.
Joseph Guillotin.
50
What was one of the significant economic policies reinstated by the Directory?
Re-establishment of slavery in French colonies.
51
What did Robespierre attempt to rename during his radical reforms?
The months of the year and the calendar.
52
What was the outcome of the foreign intervention led by Britain, Austria, and Prussia?
The French revolutionaries, aided by Napoleon, successfully defended against foreign armies.
53
What title does Napoleon adopt instead of king?
First consul
## Footnote
This title reflects his ambition to lead France without claiming the title of king.
54
What was Napoleon's main goal for France?
To make France a great empire and a powerful nation in Europe again
## Footnote
This included regaining colonial holdings and expanding military power.
55
What significant action did Napoleon take regarding Haiti?
He sent an army to regain control of Haiti
## Footnote
Haiti had rebelled during the French Revolution, and Napoleon aimed to restore the slave plantation system.
56
Where was Napoleon born?
Corsica
## Footnote
Corsica was purchased from the Republic of Genoa the year before his birth in 1768.
57
What describes the cultural heritage of Napoleon's family?
Half Italian, half French
## Footnote
This hybrid culture influenced Napoleon's identity and experiences.
58
What was Napoleon's performance in military school?
Graduated near the bottom of his class
## Footnote
Despite poor academic performance, he excelled in artillery and leadership skills.
59
What was Napoleon's first significant military contribution during the French Revolution?
He used artillery to disperse a royalist mob threatening the National Assembly
## Footnote
This event showcased his value to the French Republic.
60
What foreign armies threatened France during Napoleon's rise?
Prussians and Austrians from the north; British from the south
## Footnote
Napoleon successfully defended France against these threats.
61
What was the name of the government that took power after Robespierre?
The Directory
## Footnote
This oligarchy aimed to restore stability after the Reign of Terror.
62
What important battle did Napoleon win in 1796?
The Battle of Marengo
## Footnote
This victory against the Austrians allowed France to annex much of Northern Italy.
63
What was Napoleon's expedition to Egypt aimed at?
To disrupt British interests and control the economy of Egypt
## Footnote
Egypt was seen as a strategic location for British routes to India.
64
What significant archaeological find occurred during Napoleon's campaign in Egypt?
The Rosetta Stone
## Footnote
This stone enabled the translation of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.
65
Why did Napoleon withdraw from Egypt?
The British navy under Admiral Nelson sank his supply ships
## Footnote
British naval strength made it impossible for him to maintain his position.
66
What title did Napoleon proclaim in 1799?
First consul
## Footnote
This marked his rise to power as the leader of France.
67
Who did Napoleon marry in 1799?
Josephine de Beauharnais
## Footnote
She was a French aristocrat and his long-time mistress.
68
What was Napoleon's approach to governance after marrying Josephine?
He focused on domestic stability and peace
## Footnote
He aimed to restore order in France after the chaos of the Revolution.
69
What two main enemies did Napoleon make peace with?
Austria and Britain
## Footnote
This peace was more about ceasing hostilities than full reconciliation.
70
What political advantage did Napoleon gain from his relationship with Josephine?
He gained important political clout due to her wealthy background in Paris.
71
What major peace treaties did Napoleon establish to focus on domestic issues?
Peace treaties with Austria and Britain.
72
What is the Code Napoleon?
A new law code that updated the Justinian code and serves as the basis for much of French law today.
73
What institution did Napoleon establish to control inflation and the economy?
A national bank.
74
What educational initiative did Napoleon implement?
He built public schools to better educate the French population.
75
What administrative change did Napoleon make to the French provinces?
He reorganized them into smaller, more governable departments.
76
In what year did Napoleon proclaim himself emperor of France?
1804.
77
What significant act did Napoleon perform during his coronation?
He took the crown from the pope and placed it on his own head.
78
What was the significance of Napoleon crowning himself?
It symbolized his assertion of power over the church.
79
What was Napoleon's goal regarding Haiti?
To restore slavery and regain control of the valuable sugar colony.
80
What ultimately happened to Napoleon's attempt to regain Haiti?
His troops suffered from yellow fever, leading to a failed campaign.
81
What major land acquisition did Napoleon make in 1803?
The Louisiana Purchase.
82
What was the impact of the Louisiana Purchase on the United States?
It doubled the size of the U.S. and set it on the path to becoming a great power.
83
What was the name of Napoleon's reorganized army?
The Grand Army.
84
What significant naval defeat did Napoleon face in 1805?
The Battle of Trafalgar.
85
Who was the British admiral that defeated Napoleon at Trafalgar?
Admiral Horatio Nelson.
86
What was the outcome of the Battle of Trafalgar for Napoleon?
It ensured he could never invade Britain.
87
What was the Great Coalition?
An alliance formed by Britain, Austria, Prussia, Sweden, and Russia to stop Napoleon.
88
What was Napoleon's greatest victory against the coalition forces?
The Battle of Austerlitz.
89
What major political change did Napoleon make in Spain?
He placed his brother Joseph on the throne.
90
What was one of the major mistakes Napoleon made in his campaigns?
The Continental System.
91
What was the purpose of the Continental System?
To boycott British goods and harm the British economy.
92
What was the result of Napoleon's occupation of Spain?
It led to widespread rebellion and resistance from the Spanish people.
93
What did Napoleon underestimate during his invasion of Russia?
The harsh winter climate and the vastness of the country.
94
What was the outcome of Napoleon's invasion of Russia?
It destroyed his army and marked a significant turning point in his downfall.
95
What was the War of 1812 in French history?
The invasion of Russia by Napoleon.
96
What happened to Napoleon's army during the winter in Russia?
They faced severe cold, lack of supplies, and suffered heavy losses.
97
What strategy did Russian troops use against Napoleon's army?
They retreated into the interior of Russia and waited for winter.
98
What were the conditions faced by the French troops in Russia?
They had no shelter, no food, and wore summer uniforms.
99
What significant event occurred by November during Napoleon's campaign in Russia?
The Russians burned supplies and buildings around Moscow.
100
How many French troops survived the Russian campaign?
Only about 25,000 troops.
101
What battle marked Napoleon's defeat in 1814?
The Battle of Leipzig.
102
What was the fate of Napoleon after his defeat in 1814?
He was exiled to the island of Elba.
103
What is referred to as Napoleon's 'hundred days'?
His final bid for power after escaping from Elba.
104
Where did Napoleon face his final defeat?
At the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
105
What was Napoleon's final place of exile?
Saint Helena.
106
What major conference followed Napoleon's final defeat?
The Congress of Vienna.
107
What was the primary goal of the Congress of Vienna?
To restore Europe to the status quo before the Napoleonic Wars.
108
Which monarchies were restored after the Congress of Vienna?
* Bourbon family in France
* Bourbon family in Spain
* Portuguese monarchy
109
What significant political movements increased after the Congress of Vienna?
Nationalism in Germany and Italy.
110
What was a major consequence of the Napoleonic Wars in Latin America?
Many countries gained independence from Spanish rule.
111
Who were the key leaders in South America fighting for independence?
* Simón Bolívar
* José de San Martín
112
What year did Brazil declare independence from Portugal?
1822.
113
What was the impact of the Napoleonic Wars on the Spanish Empire by 1825?
It had lost most of its colonies, retaining only Puerto Rico and Cuba.
114
What did President Monroe proclaim regarding new countries in Latin America?
The Monroe Doctrine, stating the U.S. would defend them.
115
Fill in the blank: The Congress of Vienna aimed for a conservative restoration of _______.
monarchies.
116
True or False: The Napoleonic Wars led to the emergence of many new countries in Latin America.
True.
