French Revolution Study Guide

The era characterized by a rigid social hierarchy, where a person's social status was determined by birth rather than achievement, and communities were built around religion.

The era marked by reason and logic as the foundation for institutions and all aspects of life, including laws. This era saw an increased flow of knowledge and a decrease in the importance of class.

The feudal pyramid was a system of social hierarchy in pre-revolutionary France, where society was divided into three estates: the clergy (1st), the aristocracy (2nd), and the peasants and bourgeoisie (3rd).

The first and second estates in France enjoyed significant privileges, including exemption from most taxes, while the third estate, which comprised the majority of the population, bore the heavy burden of taxation.

Montesquieu's central concept, advocating for the separation of powers into three branches: executive, judicial, and legislative. This aims to prevent tyranny by ensuring no single branch has absolute authority.

Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, expanded the French empire through wars and conquests. He was a strong and ambitious ruler, known for his lavish court at Versailles.

Louis XV, faced challenges during his reign, including wars such as the War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War.

Louis XVI, faced a tumultuous period, including the American Revolution and the early stages of the French Revolution. He was known for his indecisiveness and inability to address France's growing problems.

The French and the Iroquois fought over control of the valuable fur trade in the north, leading to conflict with other First Nations groups like the Huron and Algonquin who were already enemies.

The Treaty of Utrecht, which ended the War of Spanish Succession, resulted in Britain taking control of Acadia from the French. This region was later renamed Nova Scotia, and tensions arose when the British demanded loyalty oaths from French residents, which conflicted with their Catholic beliefs.

The French established Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island, giving them a strategic advantage over the British by controlling waterways. This move proved to be a major blunder for the British, who were vying for control of the region.

The War of Austrian Succession saw the British take control of Louisbourg from the French. This sparked concerns about Acadian loyalty to the British, as many Acadians still supported France.

The French preferred to focus on fur trade, which heavily relied on the expertise of First Nations people. Their knowledge of the land and hunting skills proved vital for this industry.

The English primarily focused on agriculture, an industry where First Nations knowledge was less crucial. This disparity in economic activities led to different relationships with Indigenous communities.

The French formed stronger alliances with First Nations people than the English. This difference can be attributed to the French reliance on fur trade, which required the specialized skills and knowledge of Indigenous communities.

As a result of European conflicts, New France shrunk considerably. Battles over territory led to France losing significant land to Britain.

Napoleon's strategy of targeting strong nations, believing that their defeat would lead to the submission of weaker nations.

Napoleon's approach to battle planning involved a mix of meticulous planning and a willingness to adapt to unexpected opportunities, even if it meant abandoning the original strategy.

Napoleon used these as a way to finance his campaigns, levied on conquered nations, often seen as a form of punishment.

Napoleon used official announcements and speeches to cultivate a strong bond with his troops, emphasizing patriotism and national glory.

Napoleon's rise to power involved a series of key events, including the Siege of Toulon, his marriage to Josephine, the creation of the Directory, the Vendemaire Uprising, and his early military successes, culminating in the Coup of Brumaire which made him First Consul.

Napoleon's rule as First Consul saw a number of significant changes, including the Concordat with the Catholic Church, the establishment of a secret police force, the implementation of public works projects, and the imposition of the Continental System.

The Consulate was the structure of government established by Napoleon, featuring key bodies like the Senate, Council of State, Tribunate, Legislature, and a National List of hand-picked officials.

Napoleon's conquests and wars, stretching from 1805 to 1815, aimed to build a vast French Empire, but ultimately led to his downfall, with defeats in key battles like Austerlitz, Jena, Friedland, and Waterloo.

The Concordat, signed by Napoleon and Pope Pius VII, aimed to reconcile France with the Catholic Church after the French Revolution, granting the Church freedom of worship but placing clergy under state control.

Napoleon's Continental System aimed to cripple the British economy by blocking trade with Continental Europe, but it ultimately backfired, creating resentment and contributing to his downfall.