French Revolution: Social & Economic Conditions

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Questions and Answers

What was the approximate percentage of their earnings that peasants paid in taxes?

45%

35%

55% (correct)

65%

Which tax required families in France to buy a specified amount of salt annually?

Gabelle (correct)

Excise duty

Corvee

Taille

What was one of the reasons why the gabelle collectors, known as gabellous, were detested by the people?

They were responsible for collecting feudal dues.

They made house-to-house searches for hoarding salt. (correct)

They enforced property laws.

They taxed the wealthy excessively.

What does the term 'corvee' refer to in the context of feudal dues?

Forced labor for the nobles Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a tax that commoners had to pay?

Tariff Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant indirect tax that the peasants faced?

Salt tax Signup and view all the answers

What social class primarily bore the financial burden of taxes during this time?

Third estate Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of the societal conditions contributed to the discontent of the peasants?

Excessive feudal dues and taxes Signup and view all the answers

What did Montesquieu believe was essential to prevent tyranny in government?

Separation of powers among branches Signup and view all the answers

In Montesquieu's model, which three entities shared governmental power?

Parliament, the king, and judges Signup and view all the answers

How did Montesquieu think a government should manage the powers of its branches?

By enabling branches to limit each other's powers Signup and view all the answers

Which concept is Rousseau most famously associated with?

The Social Contract Signup and view all the answers

What did Rousseau contribute to the political philosophy that influenced the French Revolution?

Concept of social contract Signup and view all the answers

What does Montesquieu's concept of constitutionalism emphasize?

Civil liberties and balanced government Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects Rousseau's view on individual liberty?

It must not threaten orderly government. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Montesquieu detest the concentration of power?

It endangers liberty. Signup and view all the answers

What was Montesquieu's main concern regarding forms of government?

The prevention of despotism Signup and view all the answers

Which work of Montesquieu outlined his ideas on how government would best work?

On the Spirit of Laws Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of Montesquieu's theory had a significant impact on the U.S. Constitution?

The concept of separation of powers Signup and view all the answers

What event influenced Montesquieu during his lifetime to develop his theories on government?

The Enlightenment Signup and view all the answers

What notable title did Montesquieu inherit from his uncle?

Baron de Montesquieu Signup and view all the answers

What criticism did Montesquieu express in his work 'Persian Letters'?

The lifestyle and liberties of the wealthy French Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of Montesquieu's ideas on government?

The development of the theory of checks and balances Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Montesquieu's background?

He received a formal education in science and history. Signup and view all the answers

What political stance did the Constitutionalists support?

Support for a Constitutional Monarchy with limited powers for the King Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary role of the Girondins within the Legislative Assembly?

To establish a republican form of government Signup and view all the answers

Which group within the Republicans was known for adopting extreme measures?

The Jacobins Signup and view all the answers

What did the law regarding émigrés require from French nobles who fled the country?

To return to France by a specific date or face property confiscation Signup and view all the answers

How did Louis XVI respond to the laws concerning the clergy and émigrés?

He vetoed both laws Signup and view all the answers

What was one consequence of the Girondins' actions toward the King?

They sought to portray the King as a traitor Signup and view all the answers

What led to the inevitability of foreign intervention in France's internal affairs?

The desire of revolutionaries to spread their ideology beyond France Signup and view all the answers

How did the dynamics between the Girondins and Jacobins evolve in the Legislative Assembly?

The Jacobins' influence gradually increased over time Signup and view all the answers

What was a key principle advocated by the Physiocrats regarding government involvement in the economy?

Minimal government interference, favoring laissez-faire Signup and view all the answers

According to the Physiocrats, which group was deemed entirely unproductive?

Individuals associated with trade and industry Signup and view all the answers

Who was a central figure among the Physiocrats known for his work 'Tableau Economique'?

Francois Quesnay Signup and view all the answers

What was the Physiocrats' view on the source of wealth?

Natural resources and agricultural products Signup and view all the answers

What type of tax did the Physiocrats advocate?

A single tax on net income from land Signup and view all the answers

How did the Physiocrats perceive the relationship between farmers and landowners?

Farmers are fully productive, landowners are partially productive Signup and view all the answers

What was the stance of the Physiocrats regarding special privileges?

Abolition of all special privileges Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the Seven Years War on French finance according to the Physiocrats' context?

A poor state of French finances Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.
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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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.