The term Ancien Régime refers to the political and social system in France before the French Revolution of 1789. Under the Ancien Régime, French society was divided into three main classes or estates (états).

1. **The First Estate (Le Premier État):** This was composed of the clergy. The Catholic Church played a significant role in the governance and societal structure of France.
2. **The Second Estate (Le Deuxième État):** This included the nobility. Nobles held significant privileges, including exemptions from many forms of taxation.
3. **The Third Estate (Le Troisième État):** This was made up of commoners, including peasants, artisans, and the bourgeoisie. The Third Estate represented the vast majority of the population but had the least power.

The financial crises and social inequalities of the Ancien Régime led to increasing unrest among the Third Estate, setting the stage for the French Revolution.

The French Revolution and the Birth of the Republic

The French Revolution (Révolution française) was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France from 1789 to 1799. It led to the establishment of the First French Republic and the end of the monarchy.

1. **The Estates-General (Les États-Généraux):** This was a general assembly representing the three estates of the realm. It was convened in 1789 for the first time since 1614 to address the financial crisis.
2. **The National Assembly (L’Assemblée nationale):** Formed by representatives of the Third Estate, it declared itself the true representative body of the people.
3. **The Tennis Court Oath (Le Serment du Jeu de Paume):** This was a pivotal event where members of the National Assembly vowed not to disband until they had drafted a new constitution.
4. **The Storming of the Bastille (La Prise de la Bastille):** On July 14, 1789, revolutionaries stormed the Bastille prison, a symbol of royal tyranny. This event is celebrated annually as Bastille Day.
5. **The Reign of Terror (La Terreur):** A period from 1793 to 1794 marked by mass executions of “enemies of the revolution.” Key figures like Maximilien Robespierre led this phase.

The Revolution ultimately led to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and the establishment of the Napoleonic Empire.

The Napoleonic Era

Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise to power marked the end of the First Republic and the beginning of the First French Empire.

1. **The Consulate (Le Consulat):** After a coup in 1799, Napoleon established the Consulate, effectively becoming the ruler of France.
2. **The Napoleonic Code (Le Code Napoléon):** A comprehensive set of civil laws established under Napoleon in 1804, it influenced many legal systems worldwide.
3. **The Continental System (Le Blocus continental):** An economic blockade against the United Kingdom aimed at weakening its economy.
4. **The Hundred Days (Les Cent-Jours):** Refers to the period in 1815 when Napoleon returned from exile, briefly regained power, and was finally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo.

Napoleon’s defeat led to the restoration of the monarchy and the establishment of the Bourbon Restoration.

The Bourbon Restoration and the July Monarchy

The period following Napoleon’s defeat saw the return of the Bourbon monarchy.

1. **The Bourbon Restoration (La Restauration):** The period from 1814 to 1830 when the Bourbon kings, Louis XVIII and Charles X, ruled France.
2. **The Charter of 1814 (La Charte de 1814):** A constitutional document that established a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislature.
3. **The July Revolution (La Révolution de Juillet):** In 1830, a revolution led to the abdication of Charles X and the rise of Louis-Philippe, the “Citizen King.”

Louis-Philippe’s reign, known as the July Monarchy, lasted until the Revolution of 1848.

The Second Republic and the Second Empire

The Revolution of 1848 led to the establishment of the Second Republic.

1. **The Provisional Government (Le Gouvernement provisoire):** Established in 1848, it laid the groundwork for the Second Republic.
2. **Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte:** Elected President of the Second Republic, he later declared himself Emperor Napoleon III, establishing the Second Empire in 1852.
3. **The Coup d’État of 1851 (Le Coup d’État de 1851):** Louis-Napoleon’s seizure of power, which ended the Second Republic.
4. **The Franco-Prussian War (La Guerre franco-prussienne):** A conflict between France and Prussia (1870-1871) that led to the downfall of Napoleon III and the end of the Second Empire.

The defeat in the Franco-Prussian War led to the establishment of the Third Republic.

The Third Republic

The Third Republic was the longest-lasting regime in France from 1870 to 1940.

1. **The Paris Commune (La Commune de Paris):** A radical socialist government that briefly ruled Paris in 1871.
2. **The Dreyfus Affair (L’Affaire Dreyfus):** A political scandal that divided France from the 1890s to the early 1900s, centering on the wrongful conviction of Jewish army officer Alfred Dreyfus for treason.
3. **World War I (La Première Guerre mondiale):** France played a major role in the Allied victory, but the war had a devastating impact on the nation.
4. **The Popular Front (Le Front populaire):** A left-wing coalition government in the 1930s that enacted significant social reforms.

The Third Republic came to an end with the German invasion of France in 1940.

World War II and the Vichy Regime

World War II had a profound impact on France, leading to the occupation and the establishment of the Vichy Regime.

1. **The Fall of France (La Débâcle):** The rapid defeat of French forces by Germany in 1940.
2. **The Vichy Regime (Le Régime de Vichy):** A collaborationist government led by Marshal Philippe Pétain, which governed the unoccupied zone of France and collaborated with Nazi Germany.
3. **The French Resistance (La Résistance):** Various groups that fought against the German occupation and the Vichy government.
4. **The Liberation of Paris (La Libération de Paris):** In August 1944, Allied forces and French resistance fighters liberated Paris from German occupation.

After the war, France transitioned to the Fourth Republic.

The Fourth Republic

The Fourth Republic lasted from 1946 to 1958 and faced numerous challenges.

1. **The Constitution of 1946 (La Constitution de 1946):** Established a parliamentary system with a strong legislature and a weak executive.
2. **Decolonization (La Décolonisation):** France faced numerous conflicts as it decolonized its empire, including the Indochina War and the Algerian War.
3. **The Algerian War (La Guerre d’Algérie):** A war for independence by Algeria, which was a particularly contentious and violent conflict.

The instability and ineffectiveness of the Fourth Republic led to its collapse and the establishment of the Fifth Republic.

The Fifth Republic

The Fifth Republic, established in 1958, is the current political system in France.

1. **Charles de Gaulle:** The architect of the Fifth Republic and its first President. He implemented a new constitution that strengthened the executive branch.
2. **The Constitution of 1958 (La Constitution de 1958):** Established a semi-presidential system with a strong President and a Prime Minister.
3. **May 1968 (Mai 1968):** A period of civil unrest marked by massive protests and strikes by students and workers.
4. **The Cohabitation (La Cohabitation):** A situation where the President and the Prime Minister come from opposing political parties, requiring cooperation between them.

The Fifth Republic has provided political stability and continues to evolve in response to changing societal needs.

Modern French Political Landscape

Understanding contemporary French politics requires familiarity with current institutions and political terms.

1. **The National Assembly (L’Assemblée nationale):** The lower house of the French Parliament, composed of deputies elected by popular vote.
2. **The Senate (Le Sénat):** The upper house of the French Parliament, representing territorial collectivities and elected by an electoral college.
3. **The Constitutional Council (Le Conseil constitutionnel):** Ensures that the laws passed by Parliament comply with the Constitution.
4. **The Élysée Palace (Le Palais de l’Élysée):** The official residence of the President of France.

Political parties play a significant role in shaping French politics.

Political Parties

1. **La République En Marche (LREM):** Founded by Emmanuel Macron, it is a centrist and pro-European party.
2. **Les Républicains (LR):** A center-right party, successor to the Union for a Popular Movement.
3. **Parti Socialiste (PS):** A center-left party with a long history in French politics.
4. **Rassemblement National (RN):** A far-right party, formerly known as the Front National, led by Marine Le Pen.

Conclusion

The vocabulary of French political history is rich and complex, reflecting the dynamic and often tumultuous evolution of the country’s political landscape. From the Ancien Régime to the Fifth Republic, each era has contributed unique terms and concepts that are essential for understanding France’s political heritage. For language learners, mastering this vocabulary not only enhances comprehension of historical texts but also provides deeper insights into the cultural and political fabric of France.