What do you call individuals who leave their home country for political reasons, particularly during the French Revolution?

Individuals who leave their home country for political reasons are referred to as emigrés, particularly during significant political upheavals like the French Revolution. Emigrés often fled their homeland due to the threat of persecution or persecution itself, especially when revolutionary governments came to power. In the context of the French Revolution, many members of the aristocracy and other groups, who were opposed to the radical changes and the potential violence of the revolution, sought refuge in other countries to escape the political climate of their homeland.

Using the term "emigré" captures the essence of these individuals' motivations and experiences; they left in search of safety and stability. The other terms listed, while relevant in the broader context of political movements, do not specifically denote those fleeing for political reasons. Revolutionaries actively sought change, conservatives aimed to preserve traditional structures, and patriots typically support their country in times of conflict rather than flee. Thus, the term emigrés is both historically appropriate and contextually accurate for those who left France during this tumultuous period.