European Political Changes: Absolutism to Revolution

A system of government where a single ruler, usually a king or queen, holds absolute power with no checks or balances.

The belief that a ruler's right to rule comes directly from God, justifying absolute power.

The idea that people have inherent rights to life, liberty and property, which cannot be taken away by the government.

Enlightenment thinkers who questioned traditional authority and advocated for reason, progress and individual liberty.

A system of social hierarchy based on birth and privilege, dividing society into three estates: clergy, nobility, and commoners.

The wealthy middle class, including merchants, lawyers, and educated individuals, who were influenced by Enlightenment ideas and played a key role in the French Revolution.

The assembly of representatives from the three estates, called to address France's financial crisis. It led to the emergence of the national assembly and the French Revolution.

A pledge taken by the National Assembly to remain united until a new constitution was established, marking a pivotal moment in the French Revolution.

The system where land was communal and shared, allowing for small farmers to utilize the land for their living. However, during the Enclosure Movement, the wealthy bought this communal land and made it private, forcing many people to seek work in cities.

A revolutionary leader who led the Haitian Revolution, a crucial moment in the fight for slave liberation. He used his military brilliance and strategic thinking to organize and mobilize the Haitian people against the French colonial power.

A system of farming that involves rotating crops to keep the soil fertile, leading to improved yields and overall food production. For example, planting corn one year, wheat the next, barley the following year, and basil to add nitrogen to the soil.

A system of economic and social organization where individuals own and control the means of production, operate for profit, and have limited to no government intervention in the market.

The first major industry to undergo industrialization, marked by the shift from handmade production to large-scale, machine-based manufacturing of textile goods like cloth and clothing. This created new jobs, increased production volume, and lowered prices.

A system of production where work is organized in factories, using machines and specialized labor for mass production. This resulted in lower prices but often involved poor working conditions and a decline in the quality of goods.

A system of economic and social organization where the government owns and controls all means of production, eliminates all private property, and abolishes currency.

A system of economic and social organization where the government has a significant role in regulating the economy and providing social services, aiming to redistribute wealth and ensure social equality.

The storming of the Bastille, a French prison, on July 14, 1789, marked the start of the French Revolution. It symbolized the overthrow of the absolute monarchy and the start of a new era of freedom and equality.

The Women's March on Versailles in October 1789 was a pivotal event, showing the power of popular uprisings during the revolution. Fueled by hunger and anger over bread prices, women forced King Louis XVI and the National Assembly to return to Paris, demonstrating their power and forcing government change.

Known as the "Flight to Varennes" in June 1791, King Louis XVI's attempt to escape Paris with his family was a major turning point in the French Revolution. It confirmed suspicions of royal disloyalty and strengthened the revolutionary movement.

The Reign of Terror during the French Revolution (1793-1794) was a period of violence and political repression led by the Jacobins. They used the guillotine, which they initially saw as a humane form of execution, to eliminate their political opponents.

Maximilien Robespierre, a prominent leader of the Jacobins, played a key role in the Reign of Terror. He was eventually executed by the very same guillotine he used to control the revolution, marking the end of this violent period in French history.

Napoleon Bonaparte's coup d'état in 1799 effectively ended the French Revolution. He seized power by force, ushering in a period of stability and order. Napoleon later crowned himself Emperor of France.

Napoleon's Continental System aimed to destroy Great Britain's economy by preventing trade with European countries. While Napoleon aimed for a decisive blow, it ultimately backfired and led to the downfall of his empire.

Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812 was a costly mistake. Despite initial success, the harsh Russian winter, scorched earth strategy, and the size of Russia ultimately resulted in Napoleon's retreat and defeat.