French Revolution Terms
Three Estates Type of social hierarchy that is divided into three "estates" or social classes.
The first estate was comprised of the clergy that made up 0.6% of the population. The first estate had a wide scope of powers and owned 10-15% of the land. Although the clergy possessed much land and power, they were tax exempt.
The second estate were the nobility who were also tax exempt. The nobles held the highest offices in the Church, government, and army.
The third estate consisted of the bourgeoisie, peasantry, and urban workers i.e everybody else. This was the bulk of the population with 25 million people. The Bourgeoisie had money but not status; they wanted to become land owners. The peasants were burdened with heavy taxes and the urban workers lived in poverty.
Active/Passive Citizen Active citizen: Male citizens whose annual taxes equalled the local wages paid for three days of labor. These men held a stake in the government. Passive: Those who had no property rights or voting rights. Although entitled to protection by law in relation to their belongings and liberty, passive citizens had no say in the making of government bodies. All women were considered passive citizens.
Assembly of Notables A group of notables (expanded version of King's council) invited by the King of France to consul on matters of state. These notables were selected by the king for their zeal, devotion, etc to the sovereign (included princes, archbishops, and peers).
August Decrees Nineteen decrees made in August 1789 by the National Constituent Assembly during the French Revolution. Some of the decrees were the abolishment of the feudal system, the selling of judicial and municipal offices was abolished, and that fiscal privileges in the payment of taxes were abolished (everyone paid taxes).
The August Decrees were created with the intent of calming the people and encouraging them towards civility. The Decrees also paved the way for the Assembly to
The first estate was comprised of the clergy that made up 0.6% of the population. The first estate had a wide scope of powers and owned 10-15% of the land. Although the clergy possessed much land and power, they were tax exempt.
The second estate were the nobility who were also tax exempt. The nobles held the highest offices in the Church, government, and army.
The third estate consisted of the bourgeoisie, peasantry, and urban workers i.e everybody else. This was the bulk of the population with 25 million people. The Bourgeoisie had money but not status; they wanted to become land owners. The peasants were burdened with heavy taxes and the urban workers lived in poverty.
Active/Passive Citizen Active citizen: Male citizens whose annual taxes equalled the local wages paid for three days of labor. These men held a stake in the government. Passive: Those who had no property rights or voting rights. Although entitled to protection by law in relation to their belongings and liberty, passive citizens had no say in the making of government bodies. All women were considered passive citizens.
Assembly of Notables A group of notables (expanded version of King's council) invited by the King of France to consul on matters of state. These notables were selected by the king for their zeal, devotion, etc to the sovereign (included princes, archbishops, and peers).
August Decrees Nineteen decrees made in August 1789 by the National Constituent Assembly during the French Revolution. Some of the decrees were the abolishment of the feudal system, the selling of judicial and municipal offices was abolished, and that fiscal privileges in the payment of taxes were abolished (everyone paid taxes).
The August Decrees were created with the intent of calming the people and encouraging them towards civility. The Decrees also paved the way for the Assembly to