Understanding Bourgeois Revolutions: Key Events & Figures
Bourgeois Revolutions
Bourgeois revolutions took place in the late 18th and 19th centuries and enabled the bourgeoisie to gain political power and social status, which had previously been exclusive to the nobility in the Ancien Régime. The most important examples are the American Revolution and the French Revolution.
The American Revolution
Also called the American War of Independence, it was the insurrection by the 13 colonies located on the Atlantic coast of North America to gain independence from Great Britain (1775-1783).
George Washington
He was Commander-in-chief of the colonial military forces during the American Revolution. He became the first President of the United States in 1789.
The Estates General
It was a general meeting representing the three estates of the realm: nobility, clergy, and the Third Estate. It was summoned by Louis XVI in 1789 to ask for financial help to deal with the country’s bankruptcy.
Tennis Court Oath
An oath carried out by the Third Estate representatives in the Estates General at the beginning of the French Revolution. They declared themselves the National Assembly and promised to never leave the meeting until France had a Constitution.
Constituent Assembly
This phase of the French Revolution started when King Louis XVI accepted that the National Assembly would write a Constitution (1791). It meant the end of absolute monarchy in France. The spread of popular revolt forced the Assembly to pass legal reforms (equality before taxes, etc.).
Girondins
A moderate political party during the French Revolution which represented and defended the wealthy bourgeoisie’s interests. They were in favor of the Constitutional Monarchy and male limited suffrage.
Jacobins
A radical political party during the French Revolution which represented the petite bourgeoisie. They wanted to abolish the monarchy, establish a republic, and introduce universal manhood suffrage. Their leader was Maximilian Robespierre.
Robespierre
Leader of the Jacobin party, called “the Incorruptible” due to his austerity and firm convictions. He established the Reign of Terror as a member of the Committee of Public Safety, guillotining thousands of citizens suspected of being counterrevolutionaries.
Sans-culottes
They were the common people of the lower classes in late 18th-century France, a great many of whom became radical and militant partisans of the French Revolution in response to their poor quality of life under the Ancien Régime. They were often involved in popular protests and riots. To identify themselves, they didn’t wear culottes, a typical clothing of the privileged (sans-culottes, without culottes).
Flight to Varennes
An attempt carried out by Louis XVI in June 1791 in order to run away from France and find support in Austria to fight against the French Revolution. After that, French people lost their confidence in their king as they felt betrayed.
The Directory
A stage of the French Revolution (1795-99) in which limited male suffrage was re-established and a new, more conservative form of government was created: The Directory (with 5 members). The army increased its power in this stage, and Napoleon’s military coup put an end to it.
The Consulate
A stage of the French Revolution from Napoleon’s military coup in 1799 until the start of the Empire in 1804. A new form of government was created: The Consulate with 3 consuls. They introduced reforms to end France’s political and economic instability. Bonaparte was gaining power, declaring himself First Consul, then First Consul for Life, gathering all the powers. Sieyès, Napoleon, and Ducos were the consuls.
Napoleon Bonaparte
A French statesman and military leader who ruled France and Europe for over 15 years as an Emperor. He spread the revolutionary principles of equality and liberty in the continent and consolidated the changes in France. He was defeated in the Battle of Waterloo (1815) and exiled to the island of St. Helena, where he died.
Civil Code or Napoleonic Code
A set of laws that applied equally to citizens. It introduced new concepts such as civil marriage, divorce, adoption, state education, and protection of private property. Nevertheless, the Code denied women all civil and political rights, making them dependent on men.