Key Terms

• Journée

  Used to describe days or periods of the French Revolution when the sans-culottes rose up in insurrection. They were often planned by the political clubs.
• Lit de Justice

  an edict over-ruling the parlements and demanding that a law was registered.
• Lettres de Cachet

  the right of arbitrary arrest and imprisonment where someone is detained without a trial.
• Dauphin

  The eldest son of the King of France.
• Parlements

  local law courts or councils.
• L’ancien regime

  The political and social system of France before the Revolution of 1789.
• La Gabelle

  a tax on salt levied prior to 1790 in France.
• Bourgeoisie

  The wealthier end of the Third estate. People such as lawyers and doctors.
• Intendant

  Those who were appointed to oversee the royal provinces, making sure that the king’s commands were being followed.
• Cahiers de dolances

  list of grievances by the French people.
• Sans-culottes

  Rioters and demonstrators of Paris. Wore a simpler style of trousers to the culottes worn by the wealthier bourgeoisie and nobility. Really means ‘without culottes’.
• Philosophes

  Enlightened thinkers of Paris who promoted the use of reason, logic, and evidence which opposed reliance on tradition, superstition and religion.
• Corvée

  Peasants would carry out duties on aristocratic estates. By the late 18th century these included repairing and maintaining roads.
• Don gratuit

  A gift that could be bought to buy exemption from paying taxes.
• Vive le roi

  Long live the king.
• Séance royale

  Royal session.
• Liberté égalité fraternité

  Liberty, equality, fraternity: these words are regarded as the most famous slogan of the French Revolution.
• Emigrés

  Some French nobility and clergy, fearing for their safety, began to flee France. Many sought refuge in the Austrian Netherlands.
• Assignats

  A paper bill issued in France as currency from 1789 -1796 during the French Revolution. Overprinting and inflation made them worthless.
• Enragés

  Also known as the Ultra-radicals. Known for defending the lower class and expressing the demands of the radical sans-culottes during the French Revolution.
• Féderes

  Refers to the troops who volunteered in the French National Guard in the summer of 1792 during the French Revolution.
• Compte Rendu

  A document published in February 1781 by Jacques Necker, finance minister to King Louis XVI which he presented the state of France’s finances.