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french revolution
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Guillotine | a machine for cutting off a person's head by means of a heavy blade sliding in two upright grooved posts. |
| Estates-General | This assembly was composed of three estates – the clergy, nobility and commoners – who had the power to decide on the levying of new taxes and to undertake reforms in the country. |
| First Estate | the clergy, who were people, including priests, who ran both the Catholic church and some aspects of the country. |
| Second Estate | consisted of the nobility of France, including members of the royal family, except for the King. |
| Third Estate | made up of everyone else, from peasant farmers to the bourgeoisie – the wealthy business class |
| National Assembly | an assembly composed of the representatives of a nation and usually constituting a legislative body or a constituent assembly |
| Tennis Court Oath | The Oath signified for the first time that French citizens formally stood in opposition to Louis XVI |