Question

World History

The French Revolution and Napoleon

Directions: Briefly describe the following terms and events

French Revolution

Fall of the Bastille

Tennis Court Oath

Estates General

5) Reign of Terror

Coup De Tat

Continental System

Battle of Trafalgar

Battle of Austerlitz

Battle of Waterloo

Answer 1

*French revolution occured in France, it started on July 14 ,1789 and lasted till 1799.

This revolution occured as a protest against French monarchy and economic policies of king Louis XVI in France.

The revolution mainly aimed at attaining Fraternity, liberty and equality.

Revolusionaries stormed prison called 'Bastille '

This revolution resulted in ending of feudal laws and practices.

Revolution ended when Napoleon took power in France.

*Fall of the Bastille.

Bastille was a prison on Paris and fall of it occured on 14 July ,1789.

French revolutionaries stormed Bastille because it stood up as a symbol for monarchy's dictatorial rule and everyone hated it.

Storming of Bastille considered as major act of violence in French revolution against the ruling of the king Louis XVI.

*Tennis Court Oath

Tennis Court Oath was taken by representatives of third estate against monarchy of king Louis XVI on 20 June 1789.

The third estate formed National Assembly in the Tennis Court .

The oath was "not to seperate and to reassemble wherever circumstances require ,until the Constitution of Kingdom is established ".

It led to the declaration of rights of citizens and storming of prison called 'Bastille '

*Estates General was the meeting of three estates in France.

Estate to which a person belongs determined one's status and rights.

First estate included members of Roman Catholic clergy.

Second estate included of French nobility and third estate consisted of 97 % of population in France which included merchants, lawyers and peasants etc.

*Reign of terror

It was a period in French revolution(5 Sep 1793-28 Jul 1794)  when the conflict between two rival political parties (Girondins and Jacobins) took place.

*Coup De Tat means 'Coup of 18 Brumaire' caused the overthrow of existing government and brought Napoleon as first consul of France.

The event resulted in the end of the French Revolution.

*Continental system is a blockade on trading designed by Napoleon  for the destruction of Great Britain.

It hurted British industries and stimulated manufacturing in France.

But later it backfired on Napoleon .

*Battle of Trafalgar

It took place on October 21,1805 and it was a naval engagement and established British Naval Supremacy.

In this battle Royal navy of Britain fought against French and Spanish Navies.

In this battle Admiral Lord Nelson defeated Napoleon and ensured that Napoleon would never invade Britain.

*Battle of Austerlitz

It is also known as battle of three emperors. It occurred on 2 December 1805. It was a part of war of Third Coalition.

In this war Napoleon's troops defeated Russians and Austrians. It was considered as the greatest victory of Napoleon.

It resulted in dissolution of Roman Empire and Confederation of the Rhine.

*Battle of Waterloo

It took place on Waterloo in Belgium on 18 June ,1815.

Battle of Waterloo ended the Napoleon's reign as he was defeated by British and Prussians.