French Revolution Vocabulary

Old Order

• political/social system in place before the French Revolution

• overthrow of a government by force

• extreme views; looking for quick change

• a device used for beheadings

Radical

• political/social system in place before the French Revolution

• overthrow of a government by force

• extreme views; looking for quick change

• a device used for beheadings

Coup d’etat

• political/social system in place before the French Revolution

• overthrow of a government by force

• extreme views; looking for quick change

• a device used for beheadings

Guillotine

• political/social system in place before the French Revolution

• overthrow of a government by force

• extreme views; looking for quick change

• a device used for beheadings

Bourgeoisie

• a vote of the people

• traditionalist who is against change

• class consisting of the clergy in pre-revolution France

• middle class; professionals, merchants and manufacturers

Plebiscite

• a vote of the people

• traditionalist who is against change

• class consisting of the clergy in pre-revolution France

• middle class; professionals, merchants and manufacturers

Reactionary

• a vote of the people

• traditionalist who is against change

• class consisting of the clergy in pre-revolution France

• middle class; professionals, merchants and manufacturers

1​st​ Estate

• a vote of the people

• traditionalist who is against change

• class consisting of the clergy in pre-revolution France

• middle class; professionals, merchants and manufacturers

2nd Estate

• class consisting of nobles in pre-revolution France

• traditionalist who is against change

• class consisting of the clergy in pre-revolution France

• middle class; professionals, merchants and manufacturers

3rd Estate

• class consisting of nobles in pre-revolution France

• traditionalist who is against change

• class consisting of the clergy in pre-revolution France

• 97% of the population in pre-Revolution France