French Revolution, Napoleon & Latin American Independence Q&A

French Revolution Key Questions

• c. What did the Third Estate of the States General claim?

  It claimed voting by head (per individual) rather than by order (per estate), meaning each representative would have one vote.

• d. When was the National Assembly formed? What was its main goal?

  It was formed on June 17, 1789. Its main goal was established by the Tennis Court Oath: not to disband until a constitution for France was drafted.

• e. Who were the sans-culottes?

  The sans-culottes were the common people of the lower classes in late 18th-century France, many of whom became radical and militant partisans of the French Revolution. They were often associated with radical clubs like the Jacobins.

• f. Who were the Girondins and the Jacobins?

  The Girondins were a political faction, generally considered more moderate. The Jacobins were another influential political club, known for being more radical and centralizing, eventually dominating the Reign of Terror.

• g. What is the Reign of Terror in the French Revolution?

  The Reign of Terror refers to a period during the French Revolution characterized by mass executions of perceived enemies of the revolution.

Napoleonic Era and Spain Questions

• 1. How did Napoleon deal with his main rivals: the royalists and the Jacobins?

  He gained support from royalists by granting amnesty to exiled aristocrats, allowing them to return and recover some property. The Jacobins were marginalized and persecuted.

• 2. What was the Continental System?

  It was Napoleon's policy to blockade Great Britain by closing all continental European ports to British trade.

• 3. Why did the Spanish fleet collaborate with the French at the Battle of Trafalgar?

  Spain, allied with France, sought to challenge British naval power as part of Napoleon's broader strategy against Great Britain.

• 4. What is guerrilla warfare? Is it still used today?

  It involves small, mobile groups of combatants using tactics like ambushes and hit-and-run attacks against a larger traditional military. Yes, it is still used today, particularly in asymmetric conflicts.

Latin American Independence Factors

• 5. What factors influenced Latin American independence?
  • Discontent among the Creoles (people of Spanish descent born in the Americas) regarding political and economic restrictions.
  • The example set by the American Revolution (1776).
  • The influence of Enlightenment ideas and the French Revolution (1789), challenging traditional authority.

Napoleonic Constitution and Empire

• a. What were the basic principles of the French Constitution of 1799 (Year VIII)?

  It established the Consulate, concentrating power in the hands of Napoleon Bonaparte as First Consul, effectively creating a dictatorship.

• b. How, when, and where was Napoleon crowned Emperor?

  He crowned himself Emperor on December 2, 1804, at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

• c. When was the Peace of Tilsit signed?

  It was signed in July 1807, ending the War of the Fourth Coalition between France, Russia, and Prussia.

• d. What was the Grande Armée?

  It was the main army commanded by Napoleon Bonaparte during the Napoleonic Wars, renowned for its size and initial successes across Europe.

• e. How did the United Kingdom respond to France's Continental System?

  The UK responded with its own naval blockade (Orders in Council) against France and its allies, restricting neutral trade. British naval dominance, secured at Trafalgar (1805), hindered the effectiveness of Napoleon's system.

Latin American Independence Details

• a. How significant was the power vacuum in Spain following the abdication forced upon the Spanish monarchy (at Bayonne)?

  The forced abdication in 1808 created a significant power vacuum, weakening Spanish authority and providing an opportunity for the American colonies (*criollos*) to seek self-governance and independence.

• b. Were there American representatives at the Cortes of Cádiz? What did their presence signify?

  Yes, representatives from the American colonies participated. While their representation was unequal, their presence signified a demand for greater rights and autonomy, although it ultimately failed to prevent the independence movements.