Unit 5: Upheaval in France (1789–1815)

Ancien Régime

The social structure of France before the revolution, divided into three estates.

The Three Estates

The division of French society into the First Estate (Clergy), Second Estate (Nobility), and Third Estate (commoners).

Bourgeoisie

The educated middle class within the Third Estate, wealthy but lacking political power.

Liberal Phase

The initial phase of the French Revolution (1789–1792) focused on constitutional monarchy and reforms.

The National Assembly

The assembly formed by the Third Estate after being locked out of the Estates General, claiming to represent the people.

Storming of the Bastille

The attack on the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, marking the start of the revolution.

August 4th Decrees

Laws passed by the National Assembly that abolished feudalism and noble privileges.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

A fundamental document of the French Revolution that established individual rights and equality.

Constitution of 1791

Established a constitutional monarchy in France, with power held by the Legislative Assembly.

Radical Phase

The period of the revolution (1792–1799) characterized by extreme measures and the establishment of the Republic.

September Massacres

The killings of prisoners in Paris driven by fear of foreign invasion and internal conspiracy.

National Convention

The elected body that abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic.

Execution of Louis XVI

The guillotining of King Louis XVI in 1793 for treason, shocking Europe.

The Mountain (Jacobins)

Radicals in the National Convention led by Robespierre, advocating for extreme measures.

The Girondins

Moderates in the National Convention who feared mob violence and were more conservative.

Sans-culottes

The laboring poor of Paris who demanded radical economic reforms during the revolution.

Reign of Terror

A period from 1793 to 1794 where thousands were executed to quell counter-revolution.

Committee of Public Safety

The governing body during the Reign of Terror that sought to protect the revolution.

Maximilien Robespierre

The leading figure of the Reign of Terror who believed in using terror for political justice.

Thermidorian Reaction

The period following the execution of Robespierre when the revolution swung back to moderation.

Directory

The government established in 1795 that was weak and corrupt, leading to reliance on military power.

Coup of 18 Brumaire

Napoleon's 1799 overthrow of the Directory, establishing the Consulate.

Napoleonic Code

The civil code established by Napoleon, which guaranteed legal equality for men but limited women’s rights.

Continental System

Napoleon's economic blockade aimed at crippling Britain by forbidding trade with Europe.

Battle of Waterloo

Napoleon's final defeat in 1815 by the coalition forces led by the Duke of Wellington.

Congress of Vienna

The meeting of conservative powers after Napoleon's defeat to restore balance in Europe.

Burke's Reflections on the Revolution in France

A work predicting that the French Revolution would lead to military dictatorship.

Memory Aid: L.R.D.N.

A mnemonic to remember the phases of the French Revolution: Liberal, Radical, Directory, Napoleon.