French Revolution Key Terms and Causes

French Revolution - Key Terms

• Estate: One of the three social classes in pre-revolutionary France.
• Bourgeoisie: The middle class in France.
• Sans-culottes: Working-class Parisians who supported radical change during the French Revolution.
• Taille: The chief tax in pre-revolutionary France, levied on the Third Estate. Neither the clergy nor the nobility were subject to it.

French Revolution - Causes

• Second Estate: Composed of the nobility (approximately 350,000 people), owning 25-30% of French land. They held significant political and social power, holding positions in government, military, court, and church. Exempt from the taille.
• Third Estate: The largest estate, divided by occupation, education, and wealth. Peasants (85-90%), who owned 35-40% of the land, and the middle class made up the Third Estate. Nearly half of French peasants had little or no land. Faced significant feudal duties to nobles, remnants of the medieval feudal system.
• Economic Collapse: Bad harvests, manufacturing slowdown, and high debt from the American Revolution led to a collapsing French economy and widespread food shortages. The monarchy continued extravagant spending despite the struggles of the common people.
• Enlightenment Ideas: Ideas from the Enlightenment contributed to revolutionary thought and ideals, but the immediate cause of the revolution was the economic crisis.

French Revolution - Events

• Loss of Royal Authority: Louis XVI's advisors advised against using force against protestors, leading to a collapse of royal authority.
• Spread of Revolt: The revolt spread from Paris to surrounding areas, weakening the old order.
• Foreign Intervention: Fear of the revolution spreading led neighboring European powers, particularly Prussia and Austria, to threaten intervention.
• Preemptive Attack: France launched a pre-emptive attack on Austria, which led to initial defeats and internal crisis.

The Paris Commune (1792)

• Food Shortages and War: Widespread anger in France due to food shortages and the failing war effort.
• Worker-Run City Council: Paris radicals created a worker-run city council (Commune).
• Attacks on Royal Palace and Assembly: Commune members attacked the Royal Palace and National Assembly.
• Suspension of Monarchy: The Paris Commune forced the suspension of the monarchy, dismantling existing institutions.
• Radical Reforms: The Commune called for radical reforms leading to a national convention.
• Sans-culottes: The "sans-culottes" were members of the Paris Commune, who wore long pants (unlike the knee-length breeches of the nobility).

The National Convention (1792)

• New Constitution: Elected to draft a new constitution and serve as the new French government.
• Dominance of Upper-Middle Class: Made up mainly of lawyers, professionals, and property owners.
• Abolition of Monarchy: Executed the King to prevent opposing factions and consolidate revolutionary power.
• Factions: Two factions emerged: Girondins (more moderate, representing areas outside Paris) and the Mountain (Paris radicals, from the Jacobin Club, favoring the king's execution).

The Reign of Terror (1793-1794)

• Executions: 40,000 French citizens were executed, mostly in areas that opposed the convention. (Opponents of the National Convention were targeted)
• Revolutionary Armies: Revolutionary armies put down opposition to the committee.
• Example of Lyon: Lyon, a city that opposed the committee, became a demonstration city, with 1,800 citizens executed for treason.
• Social Composition of Victims: Victims were predominantly from the Third Estate, not exclusively nobles or clergy, although a small percentage of nobles and clergy were involved.

The Reign of Terror - Specific Measures

• "Republic of Virtue": The committee aimed to create a democratic republic of "good citizens".
• Primary Education: Primary education mandated.
• Abolition of Slavery: Slavery abolished in overseas colonies.
• Price Controls: Food, fuel, and clothing price controls failed due to lack of enforcement.
• Secularization: The church lost power, and efforts were made to establish "the temple of reason."

The Directory (1795-1799)

• Moderate Rule: Moderate, middle-class leaders took control.
• End of Reign of Terror: The Reign of Terror ended.
• Curbing of Committee: The Committee of Public Safety was curbed.
• New Constitution: The 1791 constitution was abandoned, and a new constitution (1795) dictated the following.
• Legislative Houses: Created two legislative houses: the Council of 500 (made laws) and the Council of Elders (approved/rejected laws).

The Directory - Timeline and Role

• Four-Year Duration: The Directory lasted from 1795 to 1799.

Test your knowledge on key terms and causes surrounding the French Revolution. This quiz covers essential vocabulary and the socio-economic factors that led to one of history's pivotal events. Perfect for history enthusiasts or students studying this crucial period.