French Revolution Political Factions

Questions and Answers

What is the best description of the Conservatives?

They favored a republic.

They were the left-wingers.

They wanted the king executed.

They wanted few changes. (correct)

The National Convention benefited the people and the state by:

Passing laws prohibiting anyone from becoming too wealthy.

Forcing wage increases and heavily taxing business owners.

Seizing all church property and giving it to the people and state. (correct)

Allowing women to vote and serve in the National Convention.

Which two factions disagreed on the revolution's path?

Jacobin and the Conservatives. (correct)

The Liberals and Jacobins.

The Liberals and the Conservatives.

Jacobin and the Third Estate.

An old problem the National Assembly still faced was:

Rising debt and poverty. Signup and view all the answers

After winning power, the National Assembly:

Could not agree on its goals. Signup and view all the answers

Although the National Assembly was made up of the Third Estate:

Many members still wanted to keep the king involved in government. Signup and view all the answers

After winning power, the Jacobins sought strong leadership to face overwhelming challenges by:

Deciding to form the Committee of Public Safety. Signup and view all the answers

Why was King Louis XVI tried for treason?

He wanted France to lose its war against Austria and have his power restored. Signup and view all the answers

For how many years did the Reign of Terror last?

One Signup and view all the answers

What happened after the Committee of Public Safety began to fall apart?

Power shifted back to the National Convention. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Conservative Views

Conservatives aimed for minimal changes within the existing political framework.
Their stance included a preference for maintaining the monarchy rather than promoting radical transformations.

National Convention's Impact

The National Convention took significant actions such as seizing church properties, redistributing them to benefit the public and state.
While it did not grant women suffrage, the convention attempted reforms for economic improvement, including wage increases and business taxation.

Disputes Among Factions

The primary conflict arose between Jacobins and Conservatives regarding the direction of the revolution.
Liberals and Jacobins also held differing views, but the stark disagreement primarily existed with Conservatives.

Ongoing Challenges for National Assembly

The National Assembly struggled with severe financial issues, marked by rising debt and widespread poverty among the populace.
Other challenges included managing the demands posed by King Louis XVI and the need for liberty and equality.

National Assembly's Goals

Following the rise to power, the National Assembly struggled to unify on its objectives.
It did not immediately execute King Louis XVI, reassign property to the Church, or elect a single leader unanimously.

Stance on the Monarchy

Many members of the National Assembly were reluctant to completely sever ties with the monarchy, preferring the king to maintain some governmental role.
This reflects a tension between revolutionary ideals and those loyal to traditional governance.

Jacobins and Leadership Decisions

In response to significant challenges, the Jacobins formed the Committee of Public Safety for strong centralized leadership.
This development was crucial for addressing the turbulent political landscape during the revolution.

King Louis XVI's Treason Trial

Louis XVI was tried for treason due to his actions perceived as treacherous toward France, notably his desire for the country to lose wars to regain his authority.
His plans to flee with Queen Marie Antoinette heightened suspicions and contributed to his downfall.

Duration of the Reign of Terror

The Reign of Terror lasted for one year, during which radical measures were taken to eliminate perceived enemies of the revolution.

Aftermath of Committee of Public Safety

As the Committee of Public Safety weakened, control transitioned back to the National Convention.
This led to a re-establishment of more moderate governance following the radical phase of the revolution.

Description

This quiz explores the key political factions during the French Revolution, focusing on conservative views, the impact of the National Convention, and the disputes among various groups. Test your knowledge on the roles and challenges faced by the National Assembly in a time of upheaval.