French Revolution terms and events 1774-1797

A system of government where the ruler holds total power, typically by divine right, without any checks or balances.

The political and social system in France before the French Revolution, characterized by absolute monarchy and a rigid social hierarchy.

The buying and selling of public offices, a practice that exempted individuals from taxation and granted privileges.

A philosophical movement in the 18th century that emphasized reason, science, and individual rights, challenging traditional authority.

Payments or services owed by peasants to the local lords, often in the form of a portion of their harvest or labor.

A series of civil wars in France (1648-1653) that challenged the authority of the monarchy and highlighted tensions between the nobility and the crown.

Letters used by the French king to imprison individuals without trial, a symbol of arbitrary royal power.

The clergy in France, exempt from taxation and holding significant power and wealth before the Revolution.

The nobility in France, enjoying privileges and exemptions from taxes, dominating the military and judiciary.

The largest social class in France, comprising commoners, peasants, and the bourgeoisie, burdened with heavy taxation and limited rights.

A tax on the estimated value of annual possessions, traditionally paid by the Third Estate.

A tax theoretically payable by everyone, but the clergy paid the don gratuit instead, and the Second Estate payments varied based on rank, status, occupation, and property.

A direct tax of 5% on earnings from various sources, intended for all but with exemptions for the clergy and reduced rates for certain groups.

Salt tax collected by the ferme generale.

Tobacco tax collected by the ferme generale.

Consumption tax on goods like wine, liquor, and textiles, collected by the regie generale.

Taxes on Crown Lands, collected by the regie generale.

Custom duty on goods, collected by the regie generale.

Stamp tax on legal transactions, collected by the regie generale.

Customs tax on goods brought into towns.

Finance minister who believed in a free market to stimulate demand and create taxable wealth, dismissed in 1776.

Finance minister who raised loans to cover costs, published the compte rendu in 1781, dismissed in 1781.

Finance minister who proposed radical tax reforms, dismissed in 1787 due to financial collapse.

Finance minister who replaced Calonne, faced opposition from parlement, resigned in 1788.

Conflict inspiring liberation movements, leading France to join the war against Britain in 1778.

Consisted of 144 members including nobles, bishops, and princes, initially hostile towards Calonne's proposals, leading to his dismissal in April 1787.

Allows the King to override opinions or decisions with his own, used to force through the May Edicts in May 1788.

Lists of grievances created by provinces in 1789 to inform the Estates General meeting at Versailles.

The 7th of June 1788 event that led to the calling of the Estates General, showcasing the common people's impact on the French Revolution.

A January 1789 pamphlet advocating for political voice among the masses, questioning the Ancien Régime's structure.

Opened on the 5th of May 1789, predominantly represented by educated lawyers from the bourgeoisie, leading to the formation of the National Assembly on the 19th of June.

Formed on the 19th of June 1789 by the Third Estate, gaining legitimacy and becoming a political force during the early days of the revolution.

Taken on the 20th of June 1789 by the Third Estate deputies, declaring their resolve to continue discussions despite the closure of their meeting hall.

Offered reforms including no taxes without consent, abolishment of Lettres de Cachet, freedom of the press, and abolition of internal customs barriers.

A significant event on the 14th of July 1789, marking a turning point in the French Revolution. 99 people died.

Louis XVI used 40,000 foreign troops, such as the Swiss Guard and German mercenaries, to surround Paris, causing tensions and suspicions among the people and representatives.

A wave of riots in France in July/August 1789, sparked by rumors of hired mercenaries destroying crops, leading peasants to take up arms in defense.

Passed on 6th August 1789, abolished tithes, venality, and privileges, introduced equality of taxation and meritocracy, focusing on asserting legitimacy.

Passed in August 1789, influenced by Thomas Jefferson and the doctrine of natural rights, granted political rights to 4.3 million Frenchmen.

Approved on 12th July 1790, tied the Church to the state, abolished tithes and annates, and required clergy to take an oath to the Constitution.

Introduced in December 1789, were paper money bonds exchanged for church lands, aiming to stabilize the economy.

A failed attempt by the Royal Family to escape Paris on 20th June 1791, leading to their arrest in Varennes and sparking debates on the monarchy's abolition.

Occurred on 16th-17th July 1791, where Lafayette's National Guard shot 50 people during a peaceful protest, leading to Bailly's execution and tarnishing Lafayette's reputation.

Perceived as a threat to interfere with French internal affairs, justifying opposition to the monarchy but not truly a threat due to lack of support from other powers.

Granted the King limited powers like appointing ministers and military commanders, with restrictions on veto power and war declarations, subjecting the King to law and Assembly consent.

Confiscated property of refractory clergy and threatened emigres with property forfeiture and treason if not back by Jan 1st, 1792.

Demanded liberty for Louis XVI, threatened Paris with destruction, and blamed radicals for the revolution, leading to mockery by Parisians.

Wave of killings in Paris and other cities during the Revolution due to fear of royalist uprisings, resulting in summary executions of prisoners.

First French victory in the war, showcasing ideological motivations and leading to the abolishment of the monarchy and proclamation of a republic.

Louis XVI's trial and execution in January 1793, with Jacobins pushing for execution to prevent counter-revolution, intensifying the war.

Issued in February 1793, leading to the War of the First Coalition due to ideological conflicts and British interventions.

Committees formed in March and April 1793 to combat counter-revolutionaries, enact terror, and monitor executive authority.

Enacted on May 4, 1793, fixing grain prices to address economic issues during the Revolution.

Working-class radicals in the French Revolution who supported revolutionary actions against corrupt officials and demanded economic reforms.

Decree passed in September 1793 during the French Revolution, ordering the arrest of enemies and suspected enemies of the Revolution, leading to a significant weakening of individual freedoms.

Heightened fear and suspicion during the Reign of Terror in the French Revolution, leading to mass arrests and executions of perceived enemies of the Revolution.

Enacted in September 1793 during the French Revolution to set price limits on essential goods, aiming to regulate food supplies but causing negative economic impacts.

Passed on December 4, 1793, during the French Revolution to centralize authority under the revolutionary government and bring order to the Reign of Terror.

Followers of Danton and Desmoulins in the French Revolution who sought to relax the Terror and end the centralization imposed by the revolutionary government.

Event organized by Robespierre in June 1794 to establish a new religion, the Cult of the Supreme Being, in an attempt to unite the French people under a common belief system.

Enacted on June 10, 1794, during the French Revolution to expedite trials of political suspects, leading to a surge in arrests and executions in Paris.

Coup that took place on July 27, 1794 (9 Thermidor), resulting in the arrest and execution of Robespierre and his associates, marking the end of the Reign of Terror in the French Revolution.

An attack on ex-terrorists and Revolution beneficiaries, mainly in the north and west of France, by those who suffered under the Revolution, not necessarily royalists.

A royalist uprising in Brittany led by Jean Cottereau, opposing conscription and seeking English support, suppressed by General Hoche in 1796.

A failed uprising in May 1795 by Parisian workers demanding bread, leading to a severe repression by the Convention and marking the end of the sans-culottes as a political force.

Established on August 22, 1795, by the Thermidorians, allowing men over 21 who paid direct taxes to vote, separating the legislature from the executive, and introducing annual elections.

The executive branch under the Constitution of Year III, consisting of five directors chosen by the Council of Ancients, with limited powers but authority in diplomacy, military, and law enforcement.

A failed royalist attempt to seize power from the Convention in October 1795, crushed by General Bonaparte's artillery fire known as the 'Whiff of grapeshot'.

The new constitution ratified in November 1795, reflecting a desire for stability and moderation by the Thermidorians.

Led by Gracchus Babeuf in May 1796, aimed to establish a communist society by overthrowing the Directory through a coup, emphasizing communal property management and equality.

Revealed a growing shift towards monarchists, with the wealthy and northern populace supporting peace and stability, leading to the election of 180 monarchists out of 260 seats.

A coup in September 1797 against royalist deputies, where troops seized Paris strong points, arrested directors and deputies, cancelled elections in 49 departments, and deported key figures to Guiana, marking the end of parliamentary government.