Guided Reading Activity 18-1: The French Revolution

Questions and Answers

What two far-reaching international events took place in 1789?

Beginning of a new USA and the French Revolution.

How did the French Revolution compare to the American Revolution?

It was more complex, more violent, and far more radical.

Describe the Three Estates of French society before the revolution.

First was the clergy. Second was the nobility. Third was the commoners.

Give a definition of the term bourgeoisie.

This was the middle class of the third estate: merchants, bakers, industrialists as well as professional people. Signup and view all the answers

State the immediate cause of the French Revolution.

Near collapse of government finances was the immediate cause. Signup and view all the answers

How did most members of the third estate want to fix France's financial problems?

They wanted to set up a constitutional government to abolish tax exemptions of the clergy and nobility. Signup and view all the answers

What dramatic event took place on July 14, 1789, which saved the third estate from the king's forces?

A mob of Parisians stormed the Bastille, an army and prison in Paris, and dismantled it brick by brick. Signup and view all the answers

What did the National Assembly do in response to peasant revolts and fear of foreign troops?

They voted to abolish the rights of landlords as well as the financial privileges of nobles and clergy. Signup and view all the answers

What name did the National Assembly give to its charter of basic liberties?

The name they gave was Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Olympia de Gouges write a Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the female citizen?

She refused to accept an exclusion of women for political rights in France. Signup and view all the answers

The National Assembly took what action to control the Catholic Church?

They determined that bishops and priests would be elected by the people and paid by the state. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

French Revolution Overview

1789 marked the beginning of two significant events: the establishment of the United States and the French Revolution.
The French Revolution was more complex, violent, and radical in comparison to the American Revolution.

French society was divided into three estates before the revolution:
- First Estate: Clergy
- Second Estate: Nobility
- Third Estate: Commoners, which included the bourgeoisie (middle class), comprising merchants, bakers, industrialists, and professionals.

Causes of the French Revolution

The immediate trigger for the Revolution was the near collapse of government finances.
Members of the Third Estate sought to remedy the financial crisis by advocating for a constitutional government that would eliminate tax exemptions for the clergy and nobility.

Key Events

On July 14, 1789, Parisians stormed the Bastille, a fortress and prison, dismantling it brick by brick; this act was a pivotal moment that helped protect the Third Estate.
In response to peasant revolts and fears of foreign troops, the National Assembly abolished the rights of landlords and the financial privileges previously held by nobles and clergy.

Legislative Actions

The National Assembly adopted the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen," which served as a charter of basic liberties.
Olympia de Gouges wrote the "Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen" to challenge the exclusion of women from political rights in France.
To reform the Catholic Church, the National Assembly mandated that bishops and priests be elected by the people and paid by the state.

Description

Explore the key concepts surrounding the French Revolution through this guided reading activity. Understand the significant events of 1789 and how the French Revolution differed from the American Revolution. This quiz provides insight into the societal structure of France before the revolution.