French Revolution Quotes Flashcards

Quotes about American War of Independence

• Financial ruin from war was a critical catalyst for the French Revolution (Rudé).
• The initial act of gunfire was predicted to lead the state towards bankruptcy (Turgot).

Quotes about friction between monarchy and parlements

• The parlement positioned itself as the defender of the law against monarchy's recklessness (Jones).
• Current public sentiments were echoed in the decisions of the parlement of Paris (Malesherbes).
• Sovereign power was claimed solely by the king (Minister for justice).

Quotes about noble and privilege

• Wealth and nobility were interconnected, with the rich often gaining noble status over time (Doyle).

Quotes about peasant grievances

• Peasants initially prepared for threats from brigands and subsequently directed their frustrations towards landlords (Townson).

Quotes about economic change

• The events of 1789 emerged from prolonged financial and political crises (Aston).
• Ongoing borrowing and inadequate taxation were unsustainable solutions (Calonne).

Quote about the calling of the Estates General

• Anticipation for restored order after turmoil was expressed by the king (Decree).

Quotes about the regulation of the Estates General

• Unity among the Third Estate was fueled by shared contempt for aristocracy (Furet).
• The monarchy’s image was tarnished after losing public favor during conflicts with judicial powers (Schama).

Quotes about cahiers de doléances

• The cahiers fueled expectations that would lead to revolutionary outbursts (Schama).
• Peasants exhibited the most radical sentiments in contrast to noble complacency (Markoff).

Quotes about decisions of Louis XVI

• The dismissal of Necker ignited popular uprisings in Paris (Rudé).
• Resistance to reform stemmed more from the king’s nature than the parlements (Townson).

Quotes about political pamphlets

• The period following 1788 saw an unprecedented surge in printed literature (Mcphee).
• Enlightenment thinkers’ ideas circulated widely, garnering public interest (Rudé).

Quotes about harvest crisis and food shortages

• Poor harvests significantly influenced the timing of the 1789 Revolution (Lewis).
• Food scarcity heightened the anxieties surrounding governmental actions (Mcphee).

Quotes about the dismissal of Necker

• Necker's removal was significant in triggering Parisian uprisings (Rudé).
• An urgent call to arms encapsulated the public’s defiance (Desmoulins).

Quotes about enlightenment

• Dissenting vocabulary was shaped by Enlightenment thought (Fenwick & Anderson).
• Revolutionary philosophies were ingrained in 1789's revolutionary mindset (Patrick).
• Laws not endorsed by the populace were deemed illegitimate (Rousseau).

Quote about the revolt of the notables

• The parlement adeptly portrayed itself as a lawful entity while the monarchy appeared unreasonable (Jones).

Quotes about critique of privilege

• The wealthiest classes bore the lightest tax burdens, undermining societal stability (Calonne).

Quotes about attacks on feudalism

• Calls to renounce privilege reflected the struggle against historical injustices (Marat).
• Citizens embraced their newfound identities, eschewing past constraints (Schama).

Quotes about claims to popular sovereignty

• The Bastille's storming symbolized popular will in the revolution (Rudé).
• The urgency for revolutionary action was emphasized, equating bullets with ballots (Lewis).
• The Tennis Court Oath represented a collective commitment to constitutional governance.

Quotes about claims to equality

• Celebratory acts symbolized the burning of oppressive feudal records (Furet).
• Universal access to professions and honors was a radical demand (Cahiers de doléance).

Quotes about Louis XVI

• Louis XVI's decisions directly precipitated insurrections in Paris (Rudé).
• The nature of the king was the obstacle to effective reform (Townson).

Quotes about Marie Antoinette

• Public opinion shifted from viewing her as a queen to a despised foreigner (Schama).
• Her perceived moral failings intertwined with political corruption (Hunt).

Quotes about Duc D'Orléans

• The nobility utilized scandalous tactics to undermine opponents' credibility (Schama).
• Slogans and public gatherings highlighted discontent with the monarchy (Rudé).

Quotes about Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès

• Sieyès asserted the vital role of the Third Estate in society (Sieyès).
• He criticized the exclusivity of privilege held by nobility and clergy (Doyle).

Quotes about Comte de Mirabeau

• Mirabeau positioned himself as a defender of the populace during the revolution (Schama).
• His adept communication resonated with his fellow deputies’ sentiments (Doyle).

Quotes about Marquis de Lafayette

• Leadership in Paris eluded both Lafayette and Bailly despite their efforts (Lefebvre).
• His proactive stance emphasized a need for control amidst chaos (Lafayette).

Quote about Camille Desmoulins

• Desmoulins passionately urged the populace to resist subjugation (Desmoulins).

Quotes about the Révellion Riots

• The riots signaled the brewing revolutionary sentiment among the populace (Schama).
• The economic crisis drew attention to the increasing cost of essentials like bread (Rudé).

Quotes about the storming of the Bastille

• The Bastille's fall represented a pivotal shift in political power dynamics (Mcphee).
• This event underscored the lethal potential of revolutionary movements (Lewis).

Quotes about the Great Fear

• The king’s capitulation to public demand shattered existing limitations (Doyle).
• The August decrees were more reactive than genuinely reformative (Soboul).

Quotes about the October Days

• A blend of hunger and discontent drove events beginning October 5th (Schama).
• Similarities with earlier revolutionary moments were glaring (Doyle).

Quotes about the power of the church

• The revolution’s path inevitably clashed with church interests (Ford).
• The civil constitution of the clergy marked a significant miscalculation (McManners).

Quotes about nobility

• The expectation of a nation rebirth without resistance was naive (Doyle).
• Nobility continuously presented a challenge to the revolution's objectives (Rudé).

Quotes about hostility of foreign powers

• The Brunswick Manifesto heightened tensions and fears among citizens (Mcphee).
• This declaration threatened severe repercussions against Paris’s populace.

Quotes about papacy

• Revolutionaries coerced citizens into public allegiance to new governance (Doyle).
• The Pope condemned revolutionary thinkers for their actions against the church (Pope Pius).

Quotes about the scale of proposed reforms

• Public sentiment suggested limitless possibilities for societal change (Darnton).
• The material worth of the revolution remained questionable for many French citizens (Doyle).

Quotes about economic challenges

• The 1794 harvest was one of the worst recorded, further straining resources (Mcphee).
• The unyielding demand for affordable bread fueled many insurrections (Rudé).

Quotes about war

• Initial military defeats sparked intense blame within Paris (Doyle).
• The revolution aimed to provoke widespread conflict across Europe (Brissot).

Quotes about internal divisions

• Different factions within the revolution revealed underlying tensions (Mcphee).
• A division existed between legal reformists and radical popular movements (Adcock).

Quotes about the abolition of the monarchy and privileged corps

• Louis XVI’s actions significantly influenced the conflict leading to his downfall (Lefebvre).
• A petition declared the king’s authority null unless he opposed the revolution (Petition of cordeliers club).

Quotes about popular sovereignty and representative government

• The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen emphasized law as a collective expression (DORMAC).
• Hypocrisy in equality highlighted the deputies’ selective application of citizenship (Schama).

Quotes about changes to laws and taxes

• Revolutionary leaders overhauled institutional and public life fundamentally (Mcphee).
• For many, the revolution’s tangible benefits were minimal or absent (Doyle).

Quotes about abolition of feudalism

• The August decrees dismantled feudal structures comprehensively (Furet).
• Complete eradication of feudal practices was not fully realized (Jones).

Quotes about abolition of slavery

• The revolution disrupted social balances among various groups in the colonies (Furet).
• The abolition of slavery was reluctantly enacted amid revolutionary changes (Doyle).

Quotes about the reform of the church

• The revolution and church interests were destined for conflict (Ford).
• Missteps in ecclesial reforms represented pivotal errors for the revolution (McManners).

Quotes about Louis XVI (INDIVIDUALS)

• Louis XVI's own actions catalyzed his eventual demise (Lefebvre).
• A petition declared the king’s abdication, redefining his role (Petition of the cordeliers club).

Quotes about Georges Danton

• Danton recognized internal threats and called for vigilance against traitors (Danton).
• The need for reform must balance the rights of innocents (Danton).

Quotes about Jean-Paul Marat

• Marat's martyrdom potentially increased his influence over Jacobin sentiments (Schama).
• His death transformed him into a revolutionary icon (Doyle).

Quotes about Robespierre

• Robespierre argued that a genuine revolution necessitates sacrifice (Robespierre).
• He was often seen as the embodiment of revolutionary ideals in a tumultuous time (Carlyle).

Quotes about Lafayette

• Lafayette struggled to gain leverage amid competing political dynamics (Furet).
• Political strife within the third estate contributed to his challenges (

Dive into key quotes surrounding the French Revolution through this engaging flashcard quiz. Explore insights regarding the impact of the American War of Independence and the tensions between the monarchy and parlements, adding depth to your understanding of this transformative period in history.