The French Revolution

• Conservatism


  A more traditionalist view on life with the opposition to change
• Liberalism


  The philosophy involving individualism, equality, liberty, and the right to private property. A more progressive view.
• Napoleonic Wars


  Wars led by Napoleon against other European countries in an attempt to gain power. This attempt would fail and lead to Napoleon's decline in power.
• Napoleon


  A military leader who was put in power in France in order to secure political stability. He led to both major improvements of France, but also stripped many groups of their rights and undid a lot of progressive development within France.
• Nationalism


  The idea that “your people & way of life is better than everyone else's.” Notably an ideology of Nazis.
• Significant effects of the French Revolution

  • birthed the idea of nationalism
  • tore down the power of monarchies
  • increased the power of the middle and lower classes
• Reign of Terror

  The radical phase of the French Revolution, characterized by the spies, executions, and violence as the French Revolution fully descended into violent methods.
• Divine Right of Kings


  The idea that the royal family was given their right to rule directly from God.
• Limited monarchy


  A monarchy where their power is limited, typically by a document such as a Constitution.
• Absolutism


  Known as an absolute monarchy- where the monarchy has control over every affair in their country.
• Bastille


  A major French fortress that was attacked by the people during the French Revolution. This was a major turning point, and is marked as when the French began to resort to violence to make their point.
• Marie Antoinette

  The Austrian queen of France.
• Causes

  • revolt of the people against the monarchy
  • oppression of the third estate
  • agricultural and financial struggles of France
  • overall mistrust and disliking of the current monarchy (King Louis)