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Questions and Answers
What significant document was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776?
What significant document was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776?
Which of the following was a primary source of internal conflict during the American Revolution?
Which of the following was a primary source of internal conflict during the American Revolution?
What was the role of George Washington during the American Revolution?
What was the role of George Washington during the American Revolution?
Which government framework was first implemented in the United States between 1781 and 1789?
Which government framework was first implemented in the United States between 1781 and 1789?
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What was the primary purpose of the Bill of Rights, added in 1789?
What was the primary purpose of the Bill of Rights, added in 1789?
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How did the American Revolution impact political thought in Europe?
How did the American Revolution impact political thought in Europe?
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What percentage of the population did peasants represent in the social structure of the Old Regime in France?
What percentage of the population did peasants represent in the social structure of the Old Regime in France?
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What economic condition greatly contributed to the challenges faced by the French monarchy in the 1780s?
What economic condition greatly contributed to the challenges faced by the French monarchy in the 1780s?
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Which group of delegates had the largest representation in the Estates-General?
Which group of delegates had the largest representation in the Estates-General?
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What significant event took place on July 14, 1789?
What significant event took place on July 14, 1789?
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What did the Tennis Court Oath commit the Third Estate deputies to?
What did the Tennis Court Oath commit the Third Estate deputies to?
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Who authored the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen?
Who authored the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen?
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What was a significant consequence of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?
What was a significant consequence of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?
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What primary action did the National Convention take on January 21, 1793?
What primary action did the National Convention take on January 21, 1793?
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Which two factions existed within the National Convention?
Which two factions existed within the National Convention?
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What was the primary goal of the Declaration of Pillnitz?
What was the primary goal of the Declaration of Pillnitz?
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What did Georges Danton advocate for during the Radical Revolution?
What did Georges Danton advocate for during the Radical Revolution?
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What was the purpose of the levée en masse?
What was the purpose of the levée en masse?
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What did Edmund Burke predict regarding the French Revolution?
What did Edmund Burke predict regarding the French Revolution?
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What was one of the principal outcomes of the Women's March to Versailles?
What was one of the principal outcomes of the Women's March to Versailles?
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What economic factor contributed to the discontent among peasants during the revolution?
What economic factor contributed to the discontent among peasants during the revolution?
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What did Robespierre believe was necessary for achieving liberty?
What did Robespierre believe was necessary for achieving liberty?
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What significant action did Napoleon take in 1804?
What significant action did Napoleon take in 1804?
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What was one of the key features of the Code Napoléon?
What was one of the key features of the Code Napoléon?
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Which of the following best describes Napoleon's relationship with the Catholic Church?
Which of the following best describes Napoleon's relationship with the Catholic Church?
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What was the primary goal of the Continental System established by Napoleon?
What was the primary goal of the Continental System established by Napoleon?
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What was the result of Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812?
What was the result of Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812?
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Which of the following was a consequence of Napoleon's approach to governance in Europe?
Which of the following was a consequence of Napoleon's approach to governance in Europe?
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Which battle marked a decisive defeat for Napoleon in 1805?
Which battle marked a decisive defeat for Napoleon in 1805?
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Who was Napoleon's first wife, whom he divorced in 1810?
Who was Napoleon's first wife, whom he divorced in 1810?
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What best describes the term 'benevolent dictatorship' in relation to Napoleon?
What best describes the term 'benevolent dictatorship' in relation to Napoleon?
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What was the term used to describe Napoleon's arrangement of European territories under his control?
What was the term used to describe Napoleon's arrangement of European territories under his control?
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Which of these actions did Napoleon take to create a centralized government in France?
Which of these actions did Napoleon take to create a centralized government in France?
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Which revolutionary principle was curtailed under Napoleon's rule, specifically affecting women?
Which revolutionary principle was curtailed under Napoleon's rule, specifically affecting women?
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What was a direct result of the failed Continental System?
What was a direct result of the failed Continental System?
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What happened to Napoleon after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo?
What happened to Napoleon after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo?
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What was the purpose of the levée-en-masse in September 1794?
What was the purpose of the levée-en-masse in September 1794?
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Which of the following was NOT a consequence of the Reign of Terror?
Which of the following was NOT a consequence of the Reign of Terror?
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Which of the following statements best describes the National Convention's revolutionary army?
Which of the following statements best describes the National Convention's revolutionary army?
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What was one of the main features of the 'Republic of Virtue'?
What was one of the main features of the 'Republic of Virtue'?
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What was the ultimate fate of Maximilien Robespierre?
What was the ultimate fate of Maximilien Robespierre?
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Which event marked the end of the monarchy in France?
Which event marked the end of the monarchy in France?
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What was a characteristic of the Directory established in 1795?
What was a characteristic of the Directory established in 1795?
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What was one of Napoleon's actions upon rising to power?
What was one of Napoleon's actions upon rising to power?
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What was the fate of the Haitian Revolution led by Toussaint L'Ouverture?
What was the fate of the Haitian Revolution led by Toussaint L'Ouverture?
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What characterized the Thermidorian Reaction?
What characterized the Thermidorian Reaction?
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What contributed to the decline of the Committee of Public Safety?
What contributed to the decline of the Committee of Public Safety?
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What role did women play during the French Revolution?
What role did women play during the French Revolution?
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Which phrase best defines 'democratic despotism' as practiced by Napoleon?
Which phrase best defines 'democratic despotism' as practiced by Napoleon?
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Which aspect of France's economy persisted despite revolutionary changes?
Which aspect of France's economy persisted despite revolutionary changes?
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What was a common response of young aristocrats during the 'White Terror'?
What was a common response of young aristocrats during the 'White Terror'?
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Study Notes
The American Revolution
- New policies sparked an imperial crisis in the colonies, eventually leading to the American Revolution.
- The Declaration of Independence, approved in 1776, formally declared American independence from Great Britain.
- George Washington led the American war effort.
- Internal divisions and conflict characterized the war within the American colonies, a civil war.
- European aid significantly assisted the American colonists in their fight.
- The Treaty of Paris (1783) formally ended the war, recognizing American independence.
- The Articles of Confederation (1781-1789) were the first attempt at a national American government, followed by the Constitution (1788).
- The Constitution established a central government with separation of powers, further outlined by the Bill of Rights (1789).
- The American Revolution was an embodiment of Enlightenment ideals about liberty and rights, influencing later movements.
- The revolution demonstrated that freedom and rights were not just utopian ideals.
The French Revolution
Background
- Pre-revolutionary France was divided into three estates: Clergy (First Estate), Nobility (Second Estate), and Commoners (Third Estate).
- The First Estate, comprising 130,000 clergy, owned 10% of the land. Clergy were often poor parish priests compared to the wealthier higher clergy.
- The Second Estate, composed of 350,000 nobles, owned 25-30% of the land—divided into Nobility of the Sword and Nobility of the Robe.
- The Third Estate encompassed commoners: peasants (75-80% of population, 35-40% land ownership); skilled artisans, shopkeepers, and wage earners; and the bourgeoisie (8% of population, 20-25% land ownership). The bourgeoisie lacked political power despite their economic influence and often opposed the old order.
- Serious problems including poor harvests (1787-1788), widespread poverty (1/3 population), mounting debt, and costly governmental expenditures plagued the monarchy in the 1780s. The power of parlements hindered attempted reforms.
The Estates-General and Early Revolution
- The Three Estates consisted of 300 delegates for the First and Second Estate and 600 for the Third Estate, meeting in May 1789.
- The Cahiers de doléances were the grievances of the people addressed to the Estates-General.
- Abbé Sieyès, argued in favor of the Third Estate.
- National Assembly was formed in June 1789; the Tennis Court Oath (June 20, 1789) was an act of defiance and commitment to a new French constitution.
- The storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789) significantly marked a turning point for the people.
- Peasant rebellions and the Great Fear followed the storming of Bastille.
Destruction of the Old Regime
- Seigneurial rights were abolished (August 4, 1789).
- The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (adopted August 26, 1789) proclaimed basic liberties.
- The Women's March to Versailles (October 5, 1789) played a crucial role.
- The Civil Constitution of the Clergy (July 1790) secularized the church by confiscating lands and establishing state salaries for clergy, thus dividing the people toward revolution and fueling the counterrevolution .
- A constitutional monarchy was established in 1791, with power in the Legislative Assembly; however, there were still issues with elitist control and power.
- The flight of the royal family to Varennes (June 1791) shattered popular faith in the monarchy.
- The declaration of war on Austria (April 20, 1792) further inflamed the revolution's radicalisation.
The Radical Revolution
- The National Convention was formed in September 1792 with universal male suffrage.
- The king was executed (January 21, 1793), resulting in conflict between differing French factions, Girondins, and the Mountain/Montagnards.
- The Committee of Public Safety and Reign of Terror (1793-1794) pursued the suppression of opposition to the Revolution, and the execution of 250,000 people.
- The Committee of Public Safety sought to suppress enemies and maintain order through mass executions carried out by revolutionary tribunals.
- The mobilization of the national army was part of a total war effort, creating a new form of nationalism.
- Maximilien Robespierre represented the radical Jacobin cause, and his actions led to terror and extreme control against his enemies. Ultimately he was overthrown (July 28, 1794).
- The Thermidorian Reaction followed. This was characterized by the curtailment of many of the Terror’s policies and a conservative reaction. The French Revolution changed from radical to pragmatic by the late 1790s.
Reaction and the Directory
- The Constitution of 1795 established a two-chamber legislature and a five-person Directory.
- The Directory (1795-1799) was a period of revolutionary stagnation and inability to handle economic and societal problems.
- The Directory failed to effectively address France's economic hardships and ongoing wars.
Napoleon
- Napoleon Bonaparte seized power in a coup in 1799, eventually becoming Emperor Napoleon I in 1804.
- He preserved some revolutionary gains, such as equality before the law, but suppressed other liberties.
- Napoleon created a centralized, meritocratic bureaucracy, with government agents and police working directly for him.
- Napoleon's Grand Empire attempted reforms, but Napoleon’s pursuit of power also created various problems for Europe, including the Continental System which was a disastrous attempt to curtail British trade. Despite successes on the military front, Napoleon's empire faced growing opposition and nationalist feelings.
- Napoleon’s invasion of Russia (1812) was a major military defeat, marking a turning point in his career.
- He was ultimately exiled (1815), leading to the Bourbon Restoration.
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Description
Explore the key events and figures of the American Revolution, from new imperial policies to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Learn about George Washington's leadership, European support, and the formation of the Constitution. This quiz examines the significance of Enlightenment ideals in shaping the fight for independence.
