Lucarelli Honors World History

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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?

Peasants and city-workers Signup and view all the answers

Which social class was taxed the most under the estates system?

Commoners Signup and view all the answers

Which class was the largest portion of the population under the estates system?

Commoners Signup and view all the answers

What was the social issue in pre-revolutionary France?

The third estate is doing all the work for the benefit of the other classes (Unfair treatment) Signup and view all the answers

What are five powers held by King Louis XVI?

<ol> <li>Appointed all civil officers and military officers; 2. Could declare war or make peace; 3. Levied taxes and spent the people's money as he saw fit; 4. Controlled expression of thought (Strict censorship of speech and press); 5. Imprisoned anyone without trial for an indefinite period.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What did the kings of France spend money on that put the country into debt?

They spent money on the Palace of Versailles, Seven Years' War, American Revolution, and the extravagance of their lives. Signup and view all the answers

If the king raised taxes in 1789, who would have to pay them?

The Commoners Signup and view all the answers

What did Louis XVI do as the financial problems in France escalated?

He hired and fired a succession of Administrators, none of whom had any answers. Signup and view all the answers

What happened in the summer of 1788 and spring of 1789 that made the economic situation worse?

A political crisis and a very serious food shortage. Signup and view all the answers

Why was bread so important in France?

This was because of the food shortage. Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the rise in bread prices in 1788-1789?

This was because of the high demand due to the food shortage. Signup and view all the answers

What were the economic issues facing pre-revolutionary France?

Taxes, debt, and a food shortage. Signup and view all the answers

How might these economic issues lead to a revolt?

This is likely due to unfair treatment by both their government and monarchs. Signup and view all the answers

What are Political Revolutions?

A great change in government, usually including the overthrow of one government and replacement of old leaders with new leaders or a new system of government. Signup and view all the answers

What are Non-Political Revolutions?

A great change in technology or ideas, usually including the replacement of an old technology or innovation with a new technology or innovation. Signup and view all the answers

What were the four stages of the French Revolution?

<ol> <li>National Assembly (1789-1791); 2. Radical Revolution (1792-1794); 3. Directory (1795-1799); 4. Age of Napoleon (1799-1815).</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What problems was France facing in the late 1700s?

An economically split monarchy tried to increase taxes on the commoners, and riots began due to their resentment. Signup and view all the answers

Which event marked the end of the old monarchy, and when did this event occur?

The storming of Bastille Fortress on July 14, 1789. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the French Revolution.

The French Revolution, beginning in 1789, was a political revolution inspired by Enlightenment ideas. French people began to question, or challenge, the social hierarchy. During the French Revolution, the lower and middle classes in France were frustrated about political, social, and economic problems in the country such as taxes. They wanted to overthrow King Louis XVI's monarchy and to institute a more democratic form of government. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

Lucarelli Honors World History - French Revolution

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