AP European History Chapter 18 The French Revolution
Overview The shape of the modern world first became visible during ten years of upheaval in France, between the years 1789 and 1799. Radical ideas about society and government were developed during the 18th century in response to the success of the “Scientific” and “intellectual” revolutions of the preceding two centuries. Armed with new scientific knowledge of the physical universe, as well as a new view of human capacity to detect “truth,” social critics assailed the existing modes of thought governing political social, religious and economic life.
Thus the modern world that came of age in the 18th century was characterized by rapid, revolutionary changes, which paved the way for economic modernization and political centralization throughout Europe. The ideas and institutions created by the revolutionaries would be perpetuated and extended by Napoleon Bonaparte, who conquered and converted Europe.
Terms Marie Antoinette Civil Constitution of the Clergy Louis XVI Declaration of Pillnitz Abbe Sieyes Legislative Assembly Danton The Convention Maximilian Robespierre Jacobins Edmund Burke Enrages Estates General Sans-culottes Three Estates (characteristics) Committee of Public Safety The Bastille The Republic of Virtue Great Fear Thermidorian Reaction Declaration of the Rights of Man The Directory Declaration of the Rights of Woman Reign of Terror National Constituent Assembly Emigres Temple of Reason Levee En Masse Assignats Refractory priests Varennes Tennis Court Oath Girondist Constitution of 1791 September Massacres Cahiers de doleances Jacques Louis David Jean Paul Marat
Chapter 18 Review Questions:
1. How did the financial weakness of the French monarchy lay the foundations of the revolution of 1789? 2. Examining the reign of Louis XVI, if he had been a more able ruler could the French Revolution have been avoided? Would a constitutional monarchy have succeeded? 3. How was the Estates General transformed into the National Assembly? 4. How does the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen reflect the social and political values of the 18th century Enlightenment? 5. Why has the Civil Constitution of the Clergy been called the greatest mistake of the National Assembly? 6. What was the revolution of 1792 and why did it occur? 7. Why did France go to war with Austria in 1792? What were the benefits and drawbacks for France of fighting an external war while involved in a revolution at home? 8. How did the rest of Europe react to the French Revolution and the Terror? 9. The motto of the French Revolution was “equality, liberty and fraternity.” How did the revolution both support and violate this motto? 10. Did French women benefit from the revolution? Explain. Did French peasants benefit from the Revolution? Explain.
Reading Assignments/Homework/Due Dates
1. All Classes: All of Chapter 18 must be read by 1/4/16 (B) Day, 1/5/16 (A) Day 2. All Classes: Chapter 15 and 16 reading assignments:
Chapter 15 a. Major Features of Life in the Old Regime (446-449) b. The Land and Its Tillers (449-451) c. Family Structures and The Family Economy (451-455) d. The Industrial Revolution of the 18th Century (460-465) e. In Perspective (471-472)
Chapter 16 a. Periods of Overseas Empires, Mercantile Empires, The Spanish Colonial System (477-483) b. Mid-Eighteenth Century Wars (492-495) c. The American Revolution and Europe (495-501) d. In-Perspective (501)
3. Due Dates:
a. Terms and questions: 1/6/16 (B), 1/7/16 (A) b. Chapter 15*, 16*, 18 test: 1/11/16 (A), 1/12/16 (B)-Testing formats will be announced in class.
*Only reading sections assigned.