French Society During Late 18th Century Quiz and Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What percentage of the population in French society in the eighteenth century were peasants?

10%

40%

90% (correct)

60%

Which estate in French society during the eighteenth century did not pay taxes?

First Estate (correct)

Second Estate

Third Estate

All estates paid taxes

What was a privilege enjoyed by members of the first two estates in the Old Regime of France?

Exemption from paying taxes (correct)

Exemption from military service

Access to free education

Ownership of land

What were some of the dues extracted from peasants by the nobles in French society during the eighteenth century?

Feudal dues Signup and view all the answers

What type of taxes were levied on articles like salt and tobacco in French society during the eighteenth century?

Indirect taxes Signup and view all the answers

Which term is commonly used to describe the society and institutions of France before 1789?

Old Regime Signup and view all the answers

What device was used for beheading people during the Reign of Terror?

Guillotine Signup and view all the answers

What term was used to refer to the bread that citizens were required to eat during Robespierre's government?

Equality bread Signup and view all the answers

What action did Robespierre take regarding the forms of speech and address in France during his rule?

Implemented gender-neutral language Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the churches in France during Robespierre's rule?

They were shut down and converted into other facilities Signup and view all the answers

What led to Robespierre's arrest and conviction in July 1794?

Demand for moderation by his followers Signup and view all the answers

What was the fate of Camille Desmoulins, as described in the text?

He was executed by guillotine Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main demands of the Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women?

Equal political rights for women and men Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of women's lives did the Constitution of 1791 disappoint them about?

Reduced them to passive citizens Signup and view all the answers

What change did the revolutionary government bring about in terms of marriage laws?

Marriage as an optional contract Signup and view all the answers

In terms of education, what law did the revolutionary government introduce to improve the lives of women?

Compulsory schooling for all girls Signup and view all the answers

What new opportunity did women have in terms of jobs and businesses after certain legal changes?

Train for jobs, become artists, or run small businesses Signup and view all the answers

Did the artist sympathize with or criticize the activities of the Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women in the image?

Sympathize with their activities Signup and view all the answers

What important legacy of the French Revolution is highlighted in the text?

Ideas of liberty and democratic rights Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Napoleon Bonaparte crown himself Emperor of France?

1804 Signup and view all the answers

What was Napoleon's view of his role in Europe?

Moderniser of Europe Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of the French Revolution did Napoleon emphasize through the protection of private property?

Liberty and democracy Signup and view all the answers

What concept did political philosophers like to write about lengthily that only a few educated people could read?

Ideas of liberty or justice Signup and view all the answers

What did the anonymous print from 1790 attempt to make tangible?

Justice and equality Signup and view all the answers

Why was the burden of financing state activities through taxes borne by the third estate alone?

The third estate was the largest social group and comprised different economic classes. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the rising population of France from 1715 to 1789?

The demand for foodgrains increased rapidly due to the population rise. Signup and view all the answers

What does the anonymous etching 'The Spider and the Fly' symbolize?

The exploitation of peasants by the nobility for their resources. Signup and view all the answers

How did the gap between the poor and the rich widen according to the text?

Wages did not keep pace with the rise in prices, causing wealth disparity. Signup and view all the answers

In what way did the taxation system impact different social estates in France?

Peasants and artisans were heavily burdened by taxes compared to other estates. Signup and view all the answers

What was the major consequence of wages not keeping pace with rising prices in France?

The gap between different economic groups widened further. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

French Society in the 18th Century

The French society was divided into three estates: the Clergy (1st estate), the Nobility (2nd estate), and the Commoners (3rd estate).
The third estate was further divided into two groups: the rich (big businessmen, merchants, court officials, lawyers) and the poor (peasants, artisans, and small peasants).

The Burden of Taxation

Only members of the third estate paid taxes, including a direct tax called "taille" and indirect taxes on everyday items like salt and tobacco.
The nobility and the clergy were exempt from paying taxes due to their birth privileges.

The Feudal System

The feudal system, which dated back to the Middle Ages, was characterized by a system of lords and vassals.
Peasants were obligated to provide services to the lord, including working in their house and fields, serving in the army, and building roads.
The Church also extracted taxes, known as "tithes", from the peasants.

Women's Rights

Women's clubs emerged in different French cities, with the most famous being the Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women.
The main demand of these women was to enjoy the same political rights as men, including the right to vote, hold office, and participate in the government.
Initially, the revolutionary government introduced laws that improved the lives of women, such as making schooling compulsory, allowing women to train for jobs, and legalizing divorce.

The Reign of Terror

During the Reign of Terror, people who were considered "guilty" were executed by the guillotine, a device invented by Dr. Guillotin.
The government issued laws that controlled wages, prices, and food distribution, and forced peasants to transport their grain to cities and sell it at fixed prices.

The Fall of Robespierre

Robespierre's government pursued policies that sought to establish equality, but his methods became increasingly radical.
He was eventually convicted by a court, arrested, and executed by the guillotine.

The Legacy of the French Revolution

The ideas of liberty and democratic rights spread from France to the rest of Europe during the 19th century.
Napoleon Bonaparte, who crowned himself Emperor of France, introduced laws that protected private property and established a uniform system of weights and measures.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the social structure of French society in the eighteenth century, including the three estates, taxation system, and the term Old Regime. Explore how peasants made up the majority of the population during that time.

French Society in the Eighteenth Century Quiz