French Revolution Overview Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary issue that caused conflict between the representatives of the 1st and 2nd estates and the 3rd estate during the Estates General?

Frequency of meetings

The method of voting representation (correct)

Disagreement over taxation policy

Demands for freedom of press

What significant event led to the formation of the National Assembly?

The signing of a new constitution

The storming of the Bastille

The Tennis Court Oath (correct)

The Great Fear

During the storming of the Bastille, what was the primary goal of the crowd?

To overthrow King Louis

To gain weapons and gunpowder (correct)

To demand a fairer tax system

To rescue political prisoners

Which phase of the French Revolution is characterized by extreme political turmoil and violence?

Reign of Terror Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of their income did people spend on bread, indicating the economic strain during this period?

80% Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of France's population was part of the Third Estate?

98% Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary cause of the financial crisis in France by the late 1780s?

Lavish spending by Louis XIV Signup and view all the answers

Why was raising taxes seen as necessary by the French government?

To cover interest on national debt Signup and view all the answers

What was one result of the Enlightenment ideas during this period?

People started questioning the ancient regime Signup and view all the answers

What prompted the call for the Estates General after 175 years?

The wealthy classes demanding representation Signup and view all the answers

How did urban workers react to the economic situation in France?

They rioted due to high taxes and low wages Signup and view all the answers

What was one factor that contributed to the discontent of the Third Estate?

Best jobs were reserved for nobles Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of France's budget was allocated to pay for the king's lifestyle and court at Versailles?

6% Signup and view all the answers

What phrase did Louis XIV famously declare to express his belief in absolute monarchy?

L’etat c’est moi Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Louis XIV is true?

He began ruling at age 23. Signup and view all the answers

What was one consequence of Louis XV's reign?

Indifference to national issues led to loss of territories. Signup and view all the answers

What significant action did Louis XVI take that had not occurred since 1614?

Called for the Estates-General Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Louis XVII during the French Revolution?

He died at a young age in prison. Signup and view all the answers

What was the stance of Louis XVIII towards the revolutionaries after he returned to power?

He was indifferent and desired peace. Signup and view all the answers

Which estate was known for not paying taxes and owning a significant portion of land?

First Estate Signup and view all the answers

What was a characteristic of the Second Estate during the pre-revolutionary period?

Many of them opposed the absolute monarchy. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary role of the National Guard during the French Revolution?

To organize protests and protect the rights of citizens Signup and view all the answers

Which document was influenced by the Declaration of Independence?

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen Signup and view all the answers

What significant change did the Civil Constitution of the Clergy bring about?

It made bishops and priests state officials. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key feature of the Constitution of 1791?

It created a limited monarchy with elected lawmakers. Signup and view all the answers

What slogan encapsulated the goals of the French Revolution?

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity Signup and view all the answers

What was one major consequence of the royal family's attempted flight to Austria?

It was viewed as an act of treason. Signup and view all the answers

Which group was known for its radical approach to abolishing the monarchy?

Jacobins Signup and view all the answers

What did widespread fear among European rulers regarding the French Revolution lead to?

Stricter border controls and patrols. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of Napoleon's strategies to weaken Britain economically?

Implementing the Continental System Signup and view all the answers

What was a key consequence of Napoleon's Continental System?

Increased prices and scarcity of goods in Europe Signup and view all the answers

Which battle is noted as a significant naval victory for Britain against Napoleon?

Battle of Trafalgar Signup and view all the answers

What change did Napoleon make regarding European thrones?

He appointed friends and family members to thrones Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about Napoleon's marital strategy is true?

He divorced Josephine to marry into the Austrian royal family Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Louis XIV

Louis XIV (1643-1715) ruled for 72 years
Considered the most powerful of the Bourbon monarchs
Known as "The Sun King"
Ruled as an absolute monarch (believed in divine right of kings)
Famous quote: "L’etat c’est moi" (I am the state)
Built the Palace of Versailles, a massive symbol of royal power and wealth (lots of gold)
Led France into numerous wars (mostly unsuccessful) which resulted in debt
Outlived his son and grandson

Louis XV

Great-grandson of Louis XIV
Ruled during a time of economic and political difficulties
Became king at age 5
Ignored the problems of France
Famous quote: "After me the deluge"

Louis XVI

King during the French Revolution
Indecisive and easily persuaded
Married to Marie Antoinette of Austria
Called for the meeting of the Estates General
Beheaded on January 21, 1793, for treason

Marie Antoinette

Queen of France during the revolution, married to Louis XVI
Popularly known as the "Austrian Princess"
Beheaded on October 16, 1793

Louis XVII

Given the title, but never became king
Son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
Imprisoned at age 7 with his parents
Died in prison from tuberculosis at age 10

Louis XVIII

Younger brother of Louis XVI
Became king after the defeat of Napoleon
Lived in exile in England during the French Revolution
Lazy and didn't want revenge against the people who killed his brother

The French Class Structure

The First Estate: Catholic Church
- Owned 10% of land
- Collected tithes (tax on income) but didn’t pay taxes
- Provided social services (schools, hospitals, orphanages)
- Condemned by Enlightenment thinkers
The Second Estate: Nobility
- Owned land but had little money
- Many hated the absolute monarchy and feared losing traditional privileges (ex. Not paying taxes)
The Third Estate: Majority of the Population
- 98% of the population
- Divided into:
  - Bourgeoisie - Middle Class (bankers, manufacturers, lawyers, merchants, journalists)
  - Rural Peasants - 9/10 people (landworkers, day laborers)
  - City Workers (construction workers, industrial workers, apprentices, street merchants)

Financial Crisis

Louis XIV left France with a huge debt
Causes of France's Debt:
- Wars
- Lavish court life (The Palace of Versailles)
- Government borrowed money (deficit spending)
The king's proposals for raising taxes and reducing spending were rejected by the First and Second Estates

A Crumbling Economy

Bad harvest in the late 1780s led to higher food prices
Peasants, burdened by high food prices and heavy taxes, started to riot

Failure or Reform

Louis XVI hired Jacques Necker to solve the crisis
Necker's solutions angered the First and Second Estates, and he was fired
The wealthy and powerful classes demanded the king to call for a meeting of the Estates General (it hadn't been called since 1614)

Estates General

Each estate listed its grievances:
- Fairer Taxes
- Freedom of the press
- Regular meetings of the Estates General
The First and Second Estates wanted each estate to have 1 vote (to outvote the Third Estate)
The Third Estate wanted the votes to be based on the number of representatives from each estate
The Third Estate left in protest and formed the National Assembly

The National Court Oath

The National Assembly wanted to write a constitution
They were locked out of their meeting place by the king
They took an oath in a nearby tennis court
Several members of the clergy and nobility joined the National Assembly

The Storming of the Bastille

People feared the National Assembly would be dissolved by the king
800 people stormed the Bastille (a prison and armory) to get weapons and gunpowder
The commander of the Bastille refused to open the gates and fired on the crowd

Creating A New France

The French Revolution continued through four phases
- National Assembly (1789)
- Reign of Terror (1792-1794)
- Directory (1795-1799)
- Age of Napoleon (1799-1815)

Great Fear

Rumor of marauders attacking villages, taking property, and burning records
Peasants began to attack the homes of nobles, steal grain, and burn their records

Paris in Arms

Marquis de Lafayette and the National Guard
- Fought with George Washington in the American Revolution
- Headed the National Guard (middle class militia)
The National Guard used the tricolor flag

Paris Commune

Replaced the royalist government in Paris
Mobilized neighborhoods for protests and violent actions
Newspapers and political clubs demanded an end to the monarchy

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

The slogan of the French Revolution

The Declaration of the Rights of Man

Written by the National Assembly in August 1789
Modeled after the American Declaration of Independence
Government exists to protect the natural rights of its people
If the government doesn't uphold the rights, the people have the right to overthrow it

Reorganizing the Church

France sold church land to pay off the national debt
Catholic Church became under state control
Bishops and priests became salaried officials

The Constitution of 1791

Established a limited monarchy
New legislative assembly had the power to make laws, collect taxes, and decide on war and peace
Laws were selected by tax-paying male citizens
Replaced the old provinces with 83 departments
Abolished old provincial courts and reformed laws
Protected private property rights
Supported free trade
Gave nobles money for land seized during the revolution
Forbade city workers to organize labor unions

Widespread Fear

European rulers and nobles denounced the French Revolution
Border patrols were increased in other countries (fear of the "French Plague")
The emigres spread rumors of attacks on their privileges, property, and religion
France continued to face economic problems

From Right to Left

Right: Believed the revolution had gone too far
Left: Wanted to abolish the monarchy and pushed for further reforms

Napoleon Bonaparte

Rose to prominence during the French Revolution
Seized power after the Directory and became Emperor of France in 1804
Known for his military genius, ambitious projects, and authoritarian rule
Built a vast empire, conquering and controlling much of Europe
Abolished the Holy Roman Empire
Forced alliances and treaties on European powers
Put friends and family on the thrones of Europe
Divorced Josephine and married Marie Antoinette’s niece

France vs. Britain

Britain was a major naval power
Battle of Trafalgar (1805): British victory lead by Admiral Nelson
Continental System: Attempt to destroy Britain by restricting trade
- The British responded by blocking European ports
Failures of the Continental System
- The blockade didn’t work because Britain continued trading
- European merchants ignored the ban and smuggled goods
- Restrictions hurt Europe, creating scarcity and rising prices
Successes of the Continental System
- Increased French nationalism

The End of an Era

Napoleon was defeated by a coalition of European powers
Resigned in 1814 and was exiled to the island of Elba
Briefly returned to power in 1815 (Hundred Days) but was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo
Exiled to the island of Saint Helena, where he died in 1821
The French Revolution marked the end of the old order and the beginning of a new era of modern European history

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Description

Test your knowledge about key events and issues from the French Revolution. This quiz covers important topics such as the Estates General, the formation of the National Assembly, and the storming of the Bastille. Challenge yourself and discover how economic factors influenced this historic period.