WC O4 French Revolution Vocab

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Revolution

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A sudden overthrow or change, especially in favor of a new government or social order

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Bourgeoisie

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One of the parts of the Third Estate, this one was the middle class [which consisted of bankers, factory owners, artisans, merchants, and professionals]

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Estates General

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An assembly of representatives from all three of the estates, or social classes, in France.

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Republic

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A form of government in which power is in the hands of representatives, and leaders are elected by citizens

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Nationalism

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The belief that people should be loyal mainly to their nation (—that is, to the people with whom they share a culture and history—rather than to a king or empire.)

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Abdicate

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Give up one's throne; retire or resign the throne

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Exile

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Being thrown out of a country and outlawed from ever returning

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Balance of power

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A political situation in which no one nation is powerful enough to pose a threat to others.

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Legitimacy

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The hereditary right of a monarch to rule.