French Revolution

• The different social classes in France prior to the French Revolution were the First estate (clergy), Second estate (nobility), and Third estate (commoners).
• The storming of the Bastille marked the beginning of the French Revolution.
• The causes of the French Revolution included rises in prices (especially bread), inspiration from philosophers, poor harvests, and the rule of Louie XVI.
• Radicals were people who wanted to end the Monarchy and kill the king, also known as Jacobins.
• Reactionaries were people who wanted to restore the monarchy.
• Moderates were people who wanted the King to have limited powers, also known as a Limited Monarchy.
• Under the Old Regime, the Third estate was taxed the most.
• The peasant’s demands for change were caused by excessive taxes.
• The financial crisis in France was caused by inflation and inequitable tax.
• The King called the Estates General meeting because France was in debt and people were hungry, angry, and dissatisfied with its current state.
• The Third estate wanted to vote at the meeting of the Estates General by head count.
• The first violent incident of the French Revolution was when rebels stormed the Bastille on July 14th, 1789.
• The Constitution of 1791 created a Limited Monarchy.
• King Louie XVI was the King at the beginning of the French Revolution in 1754-1793.
• The period of time in which Robespierre was in charge was called the Reign of Terror.
• Robespierre was executed by the National Convention on July 1794.
• The Napoleonic Code did not change the social structure of France.
• During the time of the 100 days, there was a series of battles between the French Army and Prussian armies.
• The order of the events during the French Revolution, American Revolution, The Enlightenment, and American Civil War is: French Revolution, American Revolution, The Enlightenment, American Civil War.
• Allied armies defeated Napoleon at Waterloo, Napoleon invades Russia, Napoleon exiled to Elba, Napoleon returns to France during the 100 days.
• Napoleon was first exiled to Elba Island off of Italy.
• The Jacobins were the radical group that led the reign of terror.
• Robespierre was a radical because he executed the king and was a Jacobin.
• Napoleon became head of the government through a coup d'état.
• The Directory was a five member committee that governed France.
• The final fate of Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI was execution by Robespierre.
• The bourgeoisie belonged to the Third estate.
• Vote by order means that each estate has one vote.
• The major factor in Napoleon’s failure to defeat Russia was the lack of winter clothing for his troops.
• The fall of the Bastille marked the start of the French Revolution and is celebrated as the day of French freedom.
• The Third Estate was always outvoted by the First and Second estates in the Estates General, causing it to form into the National Assembly as a demand for reform.
• The Continental System was a trade embargo against Britain and its allies imposed by Napoleon.
• In the estates system, the clergy, nobility, middle class, peasants, and workers belonged to the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth estates respectively.
• Napoleon did not seize power from the Directory.
• The Pope did not crown Napoleon emperor.
• Napoleon’s final defeat was at the Battle of Waterloo.
• Napoleon did not control Britain as part of the French Empire.
• Old Regime refers to the political and social system before the French Revolution.
• Bourgeoisie refers to the Third estate.
• National Assembly was the legislative body during the French Revolution.