Political Philosophy and Governance Quiz

The English Bill of Rights (1689) established Parliament's power and restricted royal authority, leading to a constitutional monarchy.

The Glorious Revolution transferred the English throne to William and Mary, replacing James II, and solidifying Parliament's power.

Locke argued the human mind starts blank and is shaped by experiences, leading to good or bad morals.

Locke believed reason and following God's ideas lead to happiness.

French Enlightenment thinkers were influenced by Locke's ideas which challenged religious and societal norms.

An economic system where the government does not interfere in the market. Individuals freely pursue their own interests, leading to competition, supply-and-demand-driven prices, and a consumer-driven economy.

The belief that individuals working in their own self-interest contribute to the overall wealth of society.

The process of rivalry between individuals or businesses seeking to provide goods and services.

The price of a product is set by the balance of how much is available (supply) and how much people want it (demand).

The role of the government in a Laissez-Faire economy is limited to protecting property, ensuring national security, and providing essential public services.

Voltaire's concept proposing checks and balances to prevent any branch from becoming too powerful. Each branch should control the others, ensuring a balanced government.

Voltaire's belief that individuals should have basic freedoms, including the right to express their opinions and practice their religion without interference.

Voltaire's philosophical work criticizing the French aristocracy and advocating for individual freedom. It focuses on the freedoms and liberties enjoyed in England.

Rousseau's argument that individuals are inherently free but become enslaved by society's rules and institutions, particularly private property.

Rousseau's idea that people in their natural state are innocent and pure, but society corrupts them. They are untouched by social norms and live in harmony with nature.

Rousseau's concept that society should be governed by the collective will of the people, rather than individual desires or the rule of a few.

Rousseau's work, Candide, is a satirical novel depicting the corrupting nature of society through a protagonist who experiences injustice and suffering. It is a criticism of the established order and religious dogma.

Rousseau's educational program, Emile, advocates for a natural approach to learning. It emphasizes experience and observation in nature to promote the development of all aspects of a child's being.

Wealthy men and women regularly met in salons, which were centers of intellectual exchange and influence. These gatherings, especially in Paris, allowed women to gain significant influence.

France faced a complex and unequal tax system during the pre-Revolution era. Different social groups bore the burden of taxes unevenly. This added to the economic tension and dissatisfaction.

France's extensive involvement in wars, especially supporting the American Revolution, created a massive national debt. This debt burden strained the already fragile economic situation.

Frequent famines and crop failures aggravated the existing economic hardships in France. Food shortages, along with the unequal tax system, added to the struggles of the common people.

King Louis XVI, desired to be loved by his people, but his actions often favored the aristocracy. He restored power to the parlements - courts dominated by nobles - a choice that further alienated the common people.

Jacques Necker, the first controller general, attempted to address the debt problem by borrowing heavily instead of raising taxes. He published the Compte Rendu, revealing the dire state of finances and hiding some debts.

Charles Alexandre de Calonne, the second controller general, tried to improve the situation by increasing taxes and borrowing heavily. By 1786, France's credit was exhausted, leading to a need for reform.

Calonne proposed a tax system based on land ownership, removing the existing taxes on the common people. This was rejected by the Parlement of Paris, leading to the Assembly of Notables and eventually the Estates General.

Jacques de Lomenie de Brienne, the third controller general, also recognized the need for tax reform. He proposed taxing all three estates but faced opposition from the Parlement of Paris, which refused to cooperate.

The third estate initially hoped to gain power through the Estates General voting system. However, the nobles intended to influence the voting in their favor, believing they could outmaneuver the third estate.

A meeting of elected representatives responsible for making and enacting laws. In France, it was established during the French Revolution to replace the absolute authority of the king.

A political group during the French Revolution, known for their moderate views. They held most of the seats in the Legislative Assembly, advocating for a more measured approach to reform.

One of the two major factions within the Legislative Assembly during the French Revolution. They sat on the left, advocating for more radical change.

Another major faction within the Legislative Assembly, advocating for more moderate reforms. They sat on the right, preferring gradual change.

A significant event during the French Revolution where King Louis XVI attempted to flee France but was captured and brought back to Paris. This weakened his authority and contributed to the growing unrest.

A period of violence and bloodshed during the French Revolution, where Parisians, fueled by fear and suspicion, attacked prisons and killed many of the inmates, including priests and nobles.

The French government's decision to declare war on Austria in 1792, fueled by the Girondins' belief in a military victory. This ultimately led to military setbacks and increased social unrest.

A group of elite soldiers who served as the royal guard of King Louis XVI. They were attacked by the Parisian mob during the August 10th Insurrection.

A period of intense political and social upheaval in France, leading to the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the First Republic.

A period during the French Revolution when the monarchy was overthrown and replaced by the National Convention, establishing universal male suffrage and a republican government.

The Estates General was a French representative assembly divided into three estates: clergy, nobility, and commoners (Third Estate). The king called for the Estates General to address financial issues in France. The Third Estate, representing the majority of the population, felt underrepresented and demanded change. Their frustration at the king's lack of reform and unfair representation led to the outbreak of the French Revolution.

The storming of the Bastille, a royal prison, was a significant turning point in the French Revolution. It symbolizes the people's rebellion against the monarchy's authority. The storming weakened the king's control and encouraged citizen participation in the revolution.

The "Great Fear" was a period of widespread panic and unrest in the countryside during the early stages of the French Revolution. This occurred after the storming of the Bastille and spread fear throughout France. Peasants, motivated by fear of aristocratic retaliation and hardship, attacked nobles and sought to destroy feudal records and gain control over food supplies.

Originally, the National Assembly was made up of representatives from the Third Estate. It became the primary governing body during the French Revolution. They declared themselves the legitimate power of France, challenging the king's authority. The National Assembly drafted and implemented revolutionary reforms, including the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was a monumental document of the French Revolution. It proclaimed fundamental rights for all citizens, such as liberty, equality, and fraternity. It sought to abolish the privileges of the aristocracy and establish a more egalitarian society. This document had a powerful influence on the ideas of human rights and democratic principles worldwide.

The French Revolution caused shortages of food, mainly bread, due to economic troubles and hoarding. This led to extreme poverty and frustration among the populace. The bread shortage became a major factor in the escalating unrest and popular anger against the monarchy.

The French Revolution was a period of upheaval that transformed France from absolutism to a republic. It lasted from 1789 to 1799, marked by political and social reforms, violence, and political instability. The revolution saw the overthrow of the monarchy, the emergence of the National Assembly, and the execution of King Louis XVI.

The French Revolution led to the abolition of feudalism, which was a system rooted in medieval European society. The French Revolution eliminated the privileges and obligations of the nobility and peasantry. The abolishment of feudalism was a major step towards a more egalitarian society. The end of this system also contributed to the shift from a feudal monarchy to more modern forms of government.