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Questions and Answers
What was the approximate percentage of their earnings that peasants paid in taxes?
What was the approximate percentage of their earnings that peasants paid in taxes?
Which tax required families in France to buy a specified amount of salt annually?
Which tax required families in France to buy a specified amount of salt annually?
What was one of the reasons why the gabelle collectors, known as gabellous, were detested by the people?
What was one of the reasons why the gabelle collectors, known as gabellous, were detested by the people?
What does the term 'corvee' refer to in the context of feudal dues?
What does the term 'corvee' refer to in the context of feudal dues?
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Which of the following was NOT a tax that commoners had to pay?
Which of the following was NOT a tax that commoners had to pay?
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What was a significant indirect tax that the peasants faced?
What was a significant indirect tax that the peasants faced?
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What social class primarily bore the financial burden of taxes during this time?
What social class primarily bore the financial burden of taxes during this time?
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Which aspect of the societal conditions contributed to the discontent of the peasants?
Which aspect of the societal conditions contributed to the discontent of the peasants?
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What did Montesquieu believe was essential to prevent tyranny in government?
What did Montesquieu believe was essential to prevent tyranny in government?
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In Montesquieu's model, which three entities shared governmental power?
In Montesquieu's model, which three entities shared governmental power?
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How did Montesquieu think a government should manage the powers of its branches?
How did Montesquieu think a government should manage the powers of its branches?
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Which concept is Rousseau most famously associated with?
Which concept is Rousseau most famously associated with?
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What did Rousseau contribute to the political philosophy that influenced the French Revolution?
What did Rousseau contribute to the political philosophy that influenced the French Revolution?
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What does Montesquieu's concept of constitutionalism emphasize?
What does Montesquieu's concept of constitutionalism emphasize?
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Which statement reflects Rousseau's view on individual liberty?
Which statement reflects Rousseau's view on individual liberty?
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Why did Montesquieu detest the concentration of power?
Why did Montesquieu detest the concentration of power?
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What was Montesquieu's main concern regarding forms of government?
What was Montesquieu's main concern regarding forms of government?
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Which work of Montesquieu outlined his ideas on how government would best work?
Which work of Montesquieu outlined his ideas on how government would best work?
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Which aspect of Montesquieu's theory had a significant impact on the U.S. Constitution?
Which aspect of Montesquieu's theory had a significant impact on the U.S. Constitution?
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What event influenced Montesquieu during his lifetime to develop his theories on government?
What event influenced Montesquieu during his lifetime to develop his theories on government?
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What notable title did Montesquieu inherit from his uncle?
What notable title did Montesquieu inherit from his uncle?
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What criticism did Montesquieu express in his work 'Persian Letters'?
What criticism did Montesquieu express in his work 'Persian Letters'?
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What was a significant consequence of Montesquieu's ideas on government?
What was a significant consequence of Montesquieu's ideas on government?
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Which of the following best describes Montesquieu's background?
Which of the following best describes Montesquieu's background?
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What political stance did the Constitutionalists support?
What political stance did the Constitutionalists support?
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What was the primary role of the Girondins within the Legislative Assembly?
What was the primary role of the Girondins within the Legislative Assembly?
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Which group within the Republicans was known for adopting extreme measures?
Which group within the Republicans was known for adopting extreme measures?
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What did the law regarding émigrés require from French nobles who fled the country?
What did the law regarding émigrés require from French nobles who fled the country?
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How did Louis XVI respond to the laws concerning the clergy and émigrés?
How did Louis XVI respond to the laws concerning the clergy and émigrés?
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What was one consequence of the Girondins' actions toward the King?
What was one consequence of the Girondins' actions toward the King?
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What led to the inevitability of foreign intervention in France's internal affairs?
What led to the inevitability of foreign intervention in France's internal affairs?
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How did the dynamics between the Girondins and Jacobins evolve in the Legislative Assembly?
How did the dynamics between the Girondins and Jacobins evolve in the Legislative Assembly?
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What was a key principle advocated by the Physiocrats regarding government involvement in the economy?
What was a key principle advocated by the Physiocrats regarding government involvement in the economy?
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According to the Physiocrats, which group was deemed entirely unproductive?
According to the Physiocrats, which group was deemed entirely unproductive?
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Who was a central figure among the Physiocrats known for his work 'Tableau Economique'?
Who was a central figure among the Physiocrats known for his work 'Tableau Economique'?
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What was the Physiocrats' view on the source of wealth?
What was the Physiocrats' view on the source of wealth?
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What type of tax did the Physiocrats advocate?
What type of tax did the Physiocrats advocate?
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How did the Physiocrats perceive the relationship between farmers and landowners?
How did the Physiocrats perceive the relationship between farmers and landowners?
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What was the stance of the Physiocrats regarding special privileges?
What was the stance of the Physiocrats regarding special privileges?
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What was the impact of the Seven Years War on French finance according to the Physiocrats' context?
What was the impact of the Seven Years War on French finance according to the Physiocrats' context?
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Study Notes
French Revolution: Social & Economic Conditions
- The Third Estate (peasants, laborers, and middle class) bore the brunt of France's financial burden.
- Peasants paid roughly 55% of their income in taxes, including taxes to the state, tithes to the Church, and feudal dues to nobles.
- Peasants were burdened with tolls for using roads and bridges, forced to use noble-owned mills, ovens, and wine presses, and paid indirect taxes such as the gabelle (salt tax).
- The gabelle was particularly onerous and scandalous, with tax collectors (gabellous) conducting house searches and harassing people for hoarding salt.
- The commoners also faced excise duty, taille (property tax), and customs duties.
- Feudal dues included corvée (forced labor) of two or three days and contributions in kind.
- French peasants, plagued by oppression, were dissatisfied with their living conditions and felt their grievances were ignored.
- The Third Estate sought changes to the government, society, and economic conditions.
- The growing middle class, some members of the nobility, and members of the working class adopted the ideology of individual equality and freedom.
French Revolution: Economic Crisis
- France faced a significant financial crisis due to enormous debt, extravagant government spending, and an outdated tax system which brought little revenue.
French Revolution: Intellectual Influences
- Voltaire (1694-1778): Criticized the French government's social, religious, and political institutions. His writings inspired questioning of France's social and economic conditions.
- Montesquieu (1689-1755): He proposed a natural explanation for various forms of government and factors influencing their development and preservation from corruption.
- Separation of Powers: Montesquieu argued that a balance of power among legislative, executive, and judicial branches could prevent despotism. This theory significantly impacted liberal political theory, influencing the framing of the U.S. Constitution and inspiring the French people against their autocratic government.
- Rousseau (1712-1778): Considered the "Father" of the French Revolution, his work "The Social Contract" provided a strong intellectual foundation for the revolution.
- Physiocrats: A group of French economists who believed that the economy should be governed by natural laws, advocated for free trade, competition, and abolishing special privileges.
- Francois Quesnay (1694-1774): He emphasized the significance of agriculture as the primary source of wealth.
French Revolution: Political Landscape
-
Legislative Assembly (1791-1792): Faced challenges due to political rivalries.
- Constitutionalists: Favored a constitutional monarchy with limited powers for the king.
-
Republicans: Favored establishing a republic and were further subdivided into:
- Girondins: Moderates who supported republican government.
- Jacobins: Radical republicans who advocated for strong measures to ensure a republican system.
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Laws Against Clergy and Émigrés: The Legislative Assembly passed laws which:
- Required priests to adhere to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy.
- Called for French nobles who had fled the country (émigrés) to return or face confiscation of their property.
- King Louis XVI's Veto: Louis XVI vetoed both laws, further alienating him and the Girondins.
- Foreign Intervention: The French Revolutionaries sought to spread their ideals outside France, leading to foreign powers becoming increasingly involved in the internal affairs of France.
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Description
Explore the harsh realities faced by the Third Estate during the French Revolution. This quiz delves into the financial burdens, oppressive taxes, and living conditions that fueled dissatisfaction among the peasants, laborers, and middle class. Understand their struggle for reform and the impact it had on the revolution.