Modern Day Mythology and Historical Events

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Questions and Answers

What was a major issue leading to poverty in France by 1789?

Rising birth rates

Absence of parliament

Lack of education

Poor harvest and famine (correct)

What was a characteristic of Louis XVI's personality?

He was quiet and a bookworm (correct)

He was very authoritarian

He was outgoing and loved partying

He was very interested in girls

What was one of the pressures the Royal couple faced?

Pressure to consummate their marriage and produce an heir (correct)

Pressure to reduce taxes on the clergy

Pressure to abolish the monarchy

Pressure to start a war with England

How did tax collectors take advantage of the peasants?

By taking extra money as their salary Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of the American Revolution for France?

It created war debts for France Signup and view all the answers

What was a characteristic of Marie Antoinette's personality?

She was spirited, vivacious, and loved partying Signup and view all the answers

What was a major issue with the French government in 1789?

It was an absolutist government Signup and view all the answers

What was Louis XVI's attitude towards serfdom?

He wanted to abolish it Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for Louis XVI's attempt to flee to Austria?

To seek financial aid to resolve the famine and financial crisis Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of Louis XVI's attempt to flee to Austria?

He was caught while trying to flee Signup and view all the answers

What was the main goal of the Declaration of Pillnitz?

To urge European nations to restore the French monarchy Signup and view all the answers

What was the main difference in the views of Edmund Burke and Thomas Paine?

Burke believed in a natural hierarchy while Paine advocated for equality Signup and view all the answers

What was the motivation behind Marie Antoinette's brother Leopold II's actions?

He wanted to restore the French monarchy Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the nobility fleeing France?

They took their wealth with them Signup and view all the answers

What event triggered the September Massacres in 1792?

The Austrian and Prussian successes in the war Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of the September Massacres in Paris?

The killing of 1200-1400 prisoners and a few priests Signup and view all the answers

Why did radicals want Louis XVI and his heir removed from power?

Because they could still be restored as monarchs Signup and view all the answers

What was the reaction of Europe to the execution of Louis XVI?

Almost no one in Europe liked this development Signup and view all the answers

What was the period of violence that occurred 15 months after the start of the French Revolution known as?

The Terror Signup and view all the answers

Why did Louis XVI still believe he would be an absolute monarch?

Because he could not do anything as a constitutional monarch Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the defenders firing cannons at the peasants?

They accidentally killed themselves. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Declaration of the Rights of the Man and Citizens?

It gave rights to all, including Jews, but excluding women. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Louis XVI not crush the National Assembly?

He was a combination of cowardice, incompetence, fear, caution, and political maneuvering. Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the Storming of the Bastille?

It provoked armed women to march on Versailles to demand bread. Signup and view all the answers

What was the false accusation made against Marie Antoinette?

She was accused of saying 'let them eat cake'. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the National Guard's creation?

It was a new symbol based on the Parisian colors, representing the Bourbon monarchy. Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the march on Versailles?

The monarchy was forced to abandon Versailles and move to Paris. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main difference between the Jacobins and the Girondins?

The Jacobins were radicals, while the Girondins were conservatives. Signup and view all the answers

Who was instrumental in the purge of the National Assembly, which led to the Jacobins seizing control?

Georges Danton Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the power struggle between Danton and Marat?

Robespierre emerged as the winner Signup and view all the answers

Who was beheaded and slapped, becoming a symbol of the French Revolution?

Corday Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Jacques Louis David's painting of Marat's death?

It was a tribute to Marat's martyrdom Signup and view all the answers

What was Robespierre's role in the French Revolution?

Head of the Committee for Public Safety Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of Georges Danton's radicalism?

He was executed as an enemy of the people Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

French Revolution

By 1789, France was experiencing poverty, famine, and drought, leading to widespread starvation and heavy taxes, which primarily affected the peasants.
The peasants had no political or social representation, and the absolutist government, led by Louis XVI, struggled with war debts from financing the American Revolution.

Royal Couple

Louis XVI was characterized as quiet, a homebody, and a bookworm, while Marie Antoinette was spirited, vivacious, and outgoing, loving parties and shopping.
The royal couple faced pressure to consummate their marriage and produce an heir, as well as pressure to become a constitutional monarchy.
Louis XVI was educated and had attempted to advocate for the abolition of serfdom, religious tolerance, and lower taxes on the poor.

Events Leading to the French Revolution

The dismissal of Necker, refusal of constitutional monarchy, and the event where defenders fired cannons at peasants, killing themselves, scared the king and nobility.
The assembly created the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens, which gave rights to all, except women.
Olympia de Gouges wrote her own declaration, criticizing the lack of women's rights.

Military and National Guard

Louis XVI's troops backed down, and a national guard was created, with a leader who designed a new symbol based on Parisian colors (red, blue, and white).
The storming of the Bastille did not improve the lives of everyday people, and armed women marched on Versailles to demand bread.
Marie Antoinette was falsely accused of saying "let them eat cake."

Constitutional Monarchy

Moderates advocated for a constitutional monarchy, while Jacobins (radicals) pushed for a republic, marking the beginning of the political spectrum.
Nobility fled France, taking their wealth with them, and Louis XVI looked to Austria for help.

Flight to Varennes and War with Austria

Louis XVI attempted to flee to Austria, disguising himself and Marie Antoinette, but they were caught.
The king believed that war would either help the financial crisis or destabilize the revolution.

Declaration of Pillnitz

Austria and Prussia urged other European nations to join forces to fight France and restore the absolute monarchy.
France fought back exceptionally well, and more radical elements gained popularity.

September Massacres and Rise of Radicals

The September Massacres (1792) were triggered by Austrian and Prussian successes in war, and fear of royalist forces attacking Paris.
Girodins seemed weak, and radicals, like Marat, called for pre-emptive strikes.
1200-1400 prisoners and a few priests were killed in Paris within five days.

End of the Monarchy

Louis XVI was removed in September 1792 and eventually executed by guillotine in January 1793.
Radicals realized that if Louis or his heir was still alive, the monarchy could be restored.

The Terror

The Terror (1793-1794) was a period of violence that began 15 months after the French Revolution started.
Corday was beheaded, and Marat became a martyr and symbol for the revolution, justifying the need to purge all moderate aspects.

Leadership and Purges

Georges Danton advocated for the republic and the king's death, instrumental in the purge of the national assembly, leading to the Jacobins seizing control.
Danton was later executed as an enemy because he was not seen as radical enough.
Maximilien Robespierre, head of the Committee of Public Safety, dedicated to rooting out and eliminating the enemies of the people, seized control and enacted a radical agenda.

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Description

This quiz covers modern myths and historical events, including the concept of military-industrial complex, anti-authority groups, and the French Revolution. It also touches on consequences of poor harvests, famine, and poverty.