1789
French Revolution began
1789 functions as shorthand for the French Revolution, which began that year with the storming of the Bastille.
The number evokes revolutionary ideals of liberty, equality, and the overthrow of monarchy: The spirit of 1789 still haunts European politics.
In American contexts, 1789 marks the year the U.S.
Constitution took effect and George Washington became president.
Paris fortress-prison
- guillotineVertical beheading apparatus
- RobespierreRevolutionary who devoured himself
- sans-culottesRevolutionary French working-class radicals
- JacobinsFrench revolutionary faction
Marat · Reign of Terror · National Assembly · Estates-General · Montagnards · Thermidor · Constitution · uprising
- Ancien RégimePre-1789 French system
- VersaillesFrench royal palace complex
- BourbonFrench ruling family
- absolutismUnrestricted governmental authority
Marie Antoinette · Feudalism · Nobility · clergy · aristocracy · court · throne · crown
Governing principles document
- WashingtonU.S. seat of government
- inaugurationFormal beginning ceremony
- presidencyChief executive's office
- CongressU.S. lawmaking body
federalism · Bill of Rights · Philadelphia · republic · ratification · Hamilton · Madison · Jay
Era prioritizing reason over dogma
- rightsJustified claims to freedoms
- citizenshipStatus as state member
- democracyRule by the people
- republicState with elected leaders
popular sovereignty · social contract · Voltaire · Rousseau · Montesquieu · natural rights · reason · reform
Bastille
Paris fortress-prison
- guillotineVertical beheading apparatus
- RobespierreRevolutionary who devoured himself
- sans-culottesRevolutionary French working-class radicals
Jacobins · Marat · Reign of Terror · National Assembly · Estates-General · Montagnards · Thermidor · Constitution · uprising · insurrection
Louis XVI
- Ancien RégimePre-1789 French system
- VersaillesFrench royal palace complex
- BourbonFrench ruling family
Marie Antoinette · absolutism · Feudalism · Nobility · clergy · aristocracy · court · throne · crown · royal
Constitution
Governing principles document
- WashingtonU.S. seat of government
- inaugurationFormal beginning ceremony
- presidencyChief executive's office
Congress · federalism · Bill of Rights · Philadelphia · republic · ratification · Hamilton · Madison · Jay · executive
Enlightenment
Era prioritizing reason over dogma
- rightsJustified claims to freedoms
- citizenshipStatus as state member
- democracyRule by the people
republic · popular sovereignty · social contract · Voltaire · Rousseau · Montesquieu · natural rights · reason · reform · constitution
tumult
Noisy, chaotic disturbance
- turmoilViolent disturbance or confusion
- unrestState of public disturbance
- chaosComplete disorder and confusion
ferment · convulsion · agitation · rebellion · riot · strife · conflict · disruption · disorder · anarchy
- French RevolutionBastille, guillotine, Robespierre, French Revolution, Marie Antoinette
- Bastille DayBastille Day, July 14th, Bastille, French Revolution, storming