The Old Regime, Enlightenment, and Revolution in Europe and America

OLD REGIME

It was a social and political system established in Western Europe from approximately the 15th century. The political system was authoritarian and had absolute monarchy, demography (old demographic regime), society (estates of realm), economy (agrarian subsistence economy), and religion.

ENLIGHTENMENT

It was an intellectual movement developed in the 18th century. It started in France and spread to Europe and America. It defended progress, education, nature, encyclopedias, and separation of powers.

REVOLUTION

A historical process that drives to a very deep change which can be political or economical. They are usually short.

AMERICAN REVOLUTION

The progress of independence of the USA (1775-1783). It was a colonial revolt against the British Empire between (1775-1783).

CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY

A new parliament created when the 3rd Estate abandoned the Estates-General.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Since that moment it started elaborating a constitution. RIGHT-people who don't want many changes/ LEFT-people who want more changes.

GIRONDIST CONVENTION

First period of the National Convention between 1792-1793.

RED TERROR

Was a period in the French Revolution which was very bloody and was a persecution of suspicious of counterrevolutions during the period Robespierre led. It finished in 1793-1794.

WHITE TERROR

The persecution of the Jacobins (radical bourgeoisie) by the moderate bourgeoisie in power. It was as violent as the RED TERROR.

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

A French military born in Corsica. He became a General at the age of 26. He was a member of the Directory but in 1799 he performed a coup and finished with the Revolution. After that, he was appointed as Consul.

CONSULATE

Was the period of the History of France immediately after the French Revolution, between 1799 (NAPOLEON COUP) and during this time France was ruled by 3 Consuls. It wasn't a democratic institution. In fact, it was a military dictatorship and the parliament just obeyed Napoleon.

CONGRESS OF VIENNA

Was a meeting celebrated in Vienna by the countries involved in the Napoleonic wars, the winners and the losers. It happened between the end of 1814 and beginning of 1815. During this time Napoleon left Elba and was defeated again. This congress had the following purpose: Restoring the old regime and redrawing the map of Europe, without considering the just emerged nations.

OTTO VON BISMARCK

Was the prime minister of Prussia and later since 1781 the chancellor of the 2nd German Empire.

AGE OF IMPERIALISM

Is the expansion of a nation's authority or rule over territories not currently under its control. This is accomplished through the direct acquisition of land or economic and political domination.

BERLIN CONFERENCE

Meeting celebrated in Berlin between 1884-1885. It was organized by Bismarck in order to avoid clashes between European powers during the colonization of Africa.