UNIT 6 WH

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Questions and Answers

What was a significant consequence of the economic crisis in France leading up to the Revolution?

The rise of the monarchy's popularity

A reduction in tax burdens for the nobility

Increased unity among the three estates

Declining agricultural production due to crop failures (correct)

Which social class in France did not pay taxes and owned most of the land?

First Estate

Third Estate

Bourgeoisie

Second Estate (correct)

Who was King Louis XVI's wife and what was she known for?

Elizabeth of Austria; known for her charitable work

Marie Antoinette; known for her lavish lifestyle (correct)

Catherine de Medici; known for her political alliances

Anne of Brittany; known for her military strategies

What was the main demand of the Third Estate during the Estates-General?

To create a more representative government Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect contributed to France's power before 1763?

High production and mercantilist policies Signup and view all the answers

What did the National Assembly promise in the Tennis Court Oath?

To remain until a new constitution was established Signup and view all the answers

Which event is widely considered to mark the beginning of the French Revolution?

The capture of the Bastille Signup and view all the answers

What did the Great Fear primarily result from?

Fear of starvation among peasants Signup and view all the answers

How did the National Assembly address the privileges of the 1st and 2nd Estates?

They dissolved their privileges Signup and view all the answers

What group attacked Louis XVI’s palace during the September Massacres?

Sans-culottes Signup and view all the answers

Who led the National Convention after the monarchy was abolished?

Maximillian Robespierre Signup and view all the answers

What was one major outcome of Louis XVI's execution in 1793?

The start of the Reign of Terror Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of the Committee of Public Safety during the Reign of Terror?

To punish supposed traitors to the Republic Signup and view all the answers

What was Robespierre's vision for France during the Reign of Terror?

A secular and de-Christianized society Signup and view all the answers

Which faction wanted to return France to the pre-Revolutionary state?

Emigres Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary aim of the Congress of Vienna concerning France?

To prevent France from becoming too powerful Signup and view all the answers

Who was the most influential figure at the Congress of Vienna?

Klemens von Metternich Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a long-term consequence of the Congress of Vienna?

Strengthening of Prussia and Britain Signup and view all the answers

What was a reactionary movement that the Congress of Vienna supported?

The restoration of monarchies Signup and view all the answers

What was the concept introduced to prevent any one power from becoming too strong?

Balance of Power Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant reason for Napoleon's rise to power in France?

His military genius and successful campaigns Signup and view all the answers

What major change did Napoleon implement after the coup d’etat?

He proclaimed himself as the First Consul and ruled dictatorially Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Continental System created by Napoleon?

To weaken Britain by imposing a massive embargo Signup and view all the answers

Which event marked the beginning of the decline of Napoleon's power in Europe?

The Russian campaign Signup and view all the answers

How did Napoleon demonstrate his authority during his coronation as emperor?

He crowned himself instead of allowing the Pope to do so Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Battle of Austerlitz?

France defeated Austria and destroyed the Holy Roman Empire Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the rebellion in Spain against Napoleon's rule?

Concerns over the weakening of the Church Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately led to Napoleon's first exile to Elba?

The combined efforts of the Coalition forces Signup and view all the answers

What key tactic did Russia employ during Napoleon's invasion?

Using scorched-earth tactics to deny resources Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

French Revolution Background

France was most powerful from 1453 to 1763
The Seven Years' War ended French dominance
Success was due to centralization, absolute monarchy, high population, high production, exports, and mercantilism
Louis XIV, the Sun King, famously declared "L'Etat c'est moi" (the state is me)

Social classes had remained the same since the Middle Ages
"Those who pray, those who fight, those who work"
First Estate: Clergy
Second Estate: Nobility
Third Estate: Everyone else (Bourgeoisie, urban poor, and peasants)
The Third Estate comprised 97% of the population and was pro-Enlightenment
The First and Second Estates were anti-Enlightenment and did not pay taxes. The Second Estate owned most of the land.

King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

King Louis XVI was deemed less capable than his predecessors
He often took bad advice and was well-intentioned
Marie Antoinette, from the Austrian Habsburg family, lived a lavish lifestyle that was unpopular with the French people

Economic Crisis

High taxation to fund wars (Seven Years' War, American Revolution)
Crop failures led to food shortages
Marie Antoinette's extravagant spending worsened the economic situation
King Louis XVI was forced to call the Estates-General into session to address the crisis

Estates-General

An assembly made up of representatives from the three estates (representing clergy, nobility and general population)
The Third Estate sought a representative government
All estates had an equal amount of votes, but the Third Estate wanted to change this.

National Assembly

The Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly
They claimed to represent all of France
This move was a significant step towards revolution

Tennis Court Oath

The King locked out the National Assembly
The delegates met in a nearby tennis court
They pledged to stay until a new constitution had been drafted

Storming of the Bastille

Parisians suspected King Louis would use force to disband the Assembly
People wanted guns and ammunition
They stormed the Bastille, a prison, to obtain them
This event is considered the start of the French Revolution (1789)

The Great Fear

Paris revolted; then the surrounding countryside
Peasants already faced starvation and feared nobles were trying to starve them
Peasant revolts erupted across France
Thousands of women marched on Versailles demanding bread

French Revolution Declaration

The National Assembly created a declaration of the rights of Man and the Citizen
It included ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity
Members of the clergy and nobility joined the National Assembly
The First and Second Estates' privileges were dissolved

Church-State Relations

Church lands were seized to pay off France's debts
Priests were now answerable to the state
This was due to Enlightenment beliefs and angered French peasants.

Divisions Emerge

Divisions arose amongst three major groups
Those who sat on the left wanted radical reforms and no monarchy
Those who sat on the right wanted a limited monarchy
Those in the middle wanted change, but not as much as the left

Factions Outside the Assembly

Sans-culottes: Urban working class who supported the Leftists
Emigres: Nobles who fled France seeking to return to the pre-Revolutionary state

War and Violence

European powers did not want the revolution to spread
They tried to reinstate Louis' power
Prussia and Austria formed an alliance and invaded France
Parisians reacted by storming the palace and massacring royalist supporters
The Legislative Assembly responded to violence and invasion, deciding to abolish the monarchy and elect a new government (National Convention)
France officially became a republic
France was now dominated by a radical faction called the Jacobins

Reign of Terror

Maximillian Robespierre, leader of the Jacobin party and the Committee of Public Safety, had total authority to punish suspected traitors to the Republic
During this period, approximately 40,000 people were executed, mostly regular citizens.
Radicals wanted a secular society, removing all traces of old France
Priests were executed, calendars changed, and Christianity replaced with atheistic, civic cults (the Cult of Reason).
Internal opposition emerged, caused by the king's death, anti-religious laws, and the draft of 300,000 French citizens. A war in the Vendée broke out because of the draft and anti-Catholicism. The Republic engaged in total war in the Vendée, leading to the massacre of tens of thousands of peasants, including women, children, and priests.

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Description

Explore the key events and social structures that shaped the French Revolution. This quiz examines the political climate of France from the reign of Louis XIV through the issues surrounding King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Understand the role of social classes and Enlightenment thought in this pivotal period of history.