Questions and Answers
What were the three social classes under the estates system?
Clergy, Nobility, and Commoners
Who are the Clergy?
People who work for the church like the Pope, bishops, and priests
Who are the Nobility?
Wealthy landowners and people with high status in society
Who are the Commoners?
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Which social class was taxed the most under the estates system?
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Which class was the largest portion of the population under the estates system?
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What was the social issue in pre-revolutionary France?
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What are five powers held by King Louis XVI?
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What did the kings of France spend money on that put the country into debt?
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If the king raised taxes in 1789, who would have to pay them?
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What did Louis XVI do as the financial problems in France escalated?
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What happened in the summer of 1788 and spring of 1789 that made the economic situation worse?
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Why was bread so important in France?
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What was the result of the rise in bread prices in 1788-1789?
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What were the economic issues facing pre-revolutionary France?
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How might these economic issues lead to a revolt?
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What are Political Revolutions?
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What are Non-Political Revolutions?
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What were the four stages of the French Revolution?
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What problems was France facing in the late 1700s?
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Which event marked the end of the old monarchy, and when did this event occur?
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Describe the French Revolution.
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Study Notes
Social Classes in France
- The estates system comprised three social classes: Clergy, Nobility, and Commoners.
- The Clergy included individuals working for the church such as Popes, bishops, and priests.
- Nobility represented wealthy landowners and individuals of high societal status.
- Commoners made up the largest portion of the population, consisting of peasants and city workers.
Taxation and Economic Burden
- Commoners were the most heavily taxed social class under the estates system.
- The unfair treatment of the third estate, who carried the burden of work and taxes, fostered resentment.
King Louis XVI's Powers
- Louis XVI appointed civil and military officers at his discretion.
- He had the authority to declare war or make peace.
- The king controlled tax levies and expenditures without accountability.
- Strict censorship regulated expression of thought and press.
- The king imprisoned individuals without trial indefinitely.
Financial Struggles
- French kings incurred significant debt from extravagant spending, including the Palace of Versailles and involvement in wars such as the Seven Years' War and American Revolution.
- Suggestions for tax increases in 1789 would fall primarily on the Commoners, further exacerbating their plight.
Economic Crisis Leading to Revolt
- In 1788 and 1789, a political crisis combined with severe food shortages aggravated France's financial situation.
- Bread, an essential staple, became increasingly important due to rising prices stemming from the food shortage.
- Economic issues included high taxes, mounting debt, and food scarcity, likely inciting revolt among the populace due to perceived injustices by the government and monarchy.
Types of Revolutions
- Political revolutions involve significant government changes, often violent, leading to new leaders or government systems (e.g., French, Haitian, Soviet, and Chinese Communist Revolutions).
- Non-political revolutions refer to shifts in technology or ideas that replace old technologies or innovations, typically non-violent (e.g., Renaissance, Scientific Revolution, Enlightenment).
Stages of the French Revolution
- The revolution unfolded through four stages:
- National Assembly (1789-1791)
- Radical Revolution (1792-1794)
- Directory (1795-1799)
- Age of Napoleon (1799-1815)
End of the Monarchy
- The storming of the Bastille Fortress on July 14, 1789, marked the end of the old monarchy.
Overview of the French Revolution
- Initiated in 1789, the French Revolution was influenced by Enlightenment ideas, prompting a challenge to the social hierarchy.
- The lower and middle classes sought to address political, social, and economic grievances and aimed to overthrow King Louis XVI for a more democratic governance.
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Description
This quiz focuses on the key concepts surrounding the French Revolution, including the three social classes under the estates system: Clergy, Nobility, and Commoners. It uses flashcards to help reinforce the definitions and roles of each class in society.