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What major event did the National Assembly swear to achieve during the Tennis Court Oath?
What major event did the National Assembly swear to achieve during the Tennis Court Oath?
What led to the storming of the Bastille on July 14th?
What led to the storming of the Bastille on July 14th?
Who were primarily represented in the National Assembly during the Tennis Court Oath?
Who were primarily represented in the National Assembly during the Tennis Court Oath?
What was the reaction of the Third Estate to the King's request for new taxes?
What was the reaction of the Third Estate to the King's request for new taxes?
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What did the French Tricolour and its motto symbolize during the revolution?
What did the French Tricolour and its motto symbolize during the revolution?
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What is a key characteristic of an absolute monarchy?
What is a key characteristic of an absolute monarchy?
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Which term describes the social structure where land is owned by a king and worked by peasants?
Which term describes the social structure where land is owned by a king and worked by peasants?
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What significant change occurred in France as a result of the French Revolution?
What significant change occurred in France as a result of the French Revolution?
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What concept did the French Revolution introduce regarding national governance?
What concept did the French Revolution introduce regarding national governance?
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Which event is associated with the conflict of the French Revolution?
Which event is associated with the conflict of the French Revolution?
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What was a primary influence on the ideas that sparked the French Revolution?
What was a primary influence on the ideas that sparked the French Revolution?
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Which of the following describes the role of the Estates General before the French Revolution?
Which of the following describes the role of the Estates General before the French Revolution?
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What does a republic emphasize in governance?
What does a republic emphasize in governance?
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Which colors were traditionally associated with Paris during the revolution?
Which colors were traditionally associated with Paris during the revolution?
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What significant document was created in August 1789 by the National Assembly?
What significant document was created in August 1789 by the National Assembly?
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What was the motto of the French Revolution?
What was the motto of the French Revolution?
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Who contributed to the writing of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen?
Who contributed to the writing of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen?
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What major change did revolutionaries attempt regarding religion in France?
What major change did revolutionaries attempt regarding religion in France?
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What was one of the changes to measurement systems introduced during the revolution?
What was one of the changes to measurement systems introduced during the revolution?
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Why did the Women’s March on Versailles occur in October 1789?
Why did the Women’s March on Versailles occur in October 1789?
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What kind of government did the initial revolutionaries attempt to establish?
What kind of government did the initial revolutionaries attempt to establish?
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What was Napoleon's primary concern during his rise to power?
What was Napoleon's primary concern during his rise to power?
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What significant legal reform did Napoleon introduce?
What significant legal reform did Napoleon introduce?
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In what year did Napoleon crown himself Emperor of France?
In what year did Napoleon crown himself Emperor of France?
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What battle marked Napoleon's final defeat?
What battle marked Napoleon's final defeat?
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What was the impact of the French Revolution on the concept of governance in Europe?
What was the impact of the French Revolution on the concept of governance in Europe?
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What does secularism entail in the context of French society?
What does secularism entail in the context of French society?
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What was one of the outcomes of the dechristianization during the French Revolution?
What was one of the outcomes of the dechristianization during the French Revolution?
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What is the levee en masse that Napoleon utilized?
What is the levee en masse that Napoleon utilized?
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What motivated the King and Queen to attempt an escape during the Flight to Varennes?
What motivated the King and Queen to attempt an escape during the Flight to Varennes?
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What was the primary outcome of the execution of Louis XVI?
What was the primary outcome of the execution of Louis XVI?
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What was the role of the Committee of Public Safety during the Reign of Terror?
What was the role of the Committee of Public Safety during the Reign of Terror?
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What type of government was established in France following the execution of the King?
What type of government was established in France following the execution of the King?
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What characterizes the period known as the Directory in France?
What characterizes the period known as the Directory in France?
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Who led the Committee of Public Safety during the Reign of Terror?
Who led the Committee of Public Safety during the Reign of Terror?
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What significant action did Napoleon Bonaparte take after the Revolution?
What significant action did Napoleon Bonaparte take after the Revolution?
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During the Reign of Terror, which groups were primarily targeted for execution?
During the Reign of Terror, which groups were primarily targeted for execution?
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Study Notes
The French Revolution: Background
- The French Revolution led to the rise of nationalism, where people took control of their nation's future through force.
- European governments in the 18th century were primarily monarchies with a feudal system in place.
- An absolute monarchy is where the leader holds supreme power without restrictions.
- The feudal system involved land ownership by the king, who granted portions to lords, allowing peasants to work the land without receiving income.
Louis XIV - The Sun King
- "I am the state" - Louis XIV, King of France
The Estates General (May 1789)
- The King sought new taxes to address the state's massive debt.
- Each estate had equal voting power, disadvantaging the third estate, who were against higher taxes.
- The National Assembly (third estate representatives) were locked out of the assembly hall by the King.
Tennis Court Oath (June 1789)
- The National Assembly found a nearby indoor tennis court to meet.
- Members were primarily from the bourgeoisie (wealthy elites from the intellectual and business class).
- They swore the Tennis Court Oath, vowing not to disband until creating a new constitution for France.
Storming of the Bastille (July 1789)
- Riots erupted in Paris, fueled by rumors of the King dissolving the National Assembly and deploying foreign troops.
- The Bastille, a symbol of royal power, was attacked on July 14th, representing a major turning point in the revolution.
French Tricolour and Motto
- Became a symbol of the revolution, worn by the Paris militia who attacked the Bastille.
- Blue and red were traditional Paris colors, white represented the historical tradition of France.
- The motto of the revolution was: Liberté, égalité, fraternité (liberty, equality, fraternity).
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (August 1789)
- First action by the National Assembly, representing a significant human rights document.
- Written by Thomas Jefferson and Abbe Sieyès, it established a nation of free individuals protected by law.
New Governments Form
- The Revolutionaries initially attempted a constitutional monarchy.
- Radical Jacobins pushed for a full republic and eventually gained control.
- The Church was stripped of land and property, with arrests for religious worship and Sunday rest.
Women’s March on Versailles (Oct 1789)
- Peasant women armed themselves and marched to Versailles, believing Marie Antoinette was hoarding grain.
- They entered the palace and successfully demanded the King and Queen move to Paris.
The Flight to Varennes (June 1791)
- The King and Queen, fearing for their safety in Paris, attempted to escape.
- They disguised themselves and planned to live in hiding near the Belgian border but were arrested in Varennes.
The Reign of Terror (1793-1794)
- Supporters of the King sat on the right side of the National Assembly, while republican advocates sat on the left (Jacobins).
- France was declared a republic in 1792.
- Louis XVI was executed by guillotine in 1793, followed by his wife, Marie Antoinette, months later.
- The Committee of Public Safety, led by Maximilien de Robespierre, implemented the Reign of Terror to "protect France from enemies".
- Critics of the revolution, including supporters of the Church, nobility, monarchy, and foreign governments, were targeted and executed.
The Directory (Government)
- A more moderate phase of French government with a focus on stability.
- Executions were largely stopped, but the system remained inefficient and corrupt.
- France engaged in warfare across Europe, with high prices and ongoing public anger towards the government.
Aftermath of the Revolution
- France engaged in multiple wars against European powers (Prussia, Holy Roman Empire, Britain, etc.).
- A pro-monarchist revolt in Paris was suppressed by General Napoleon Bonaparte.
- Bonaparte, along with two others, seized power, establishing a three-person consulate.
- He declared himself "First Consul" in 1799, gaining control of the military and eventually declaring himself Emperor.
Napoleon
- Bonaparte emerged from the bourgeoisie and was a military strategist.
- He was considered a military genius, rising from artillery captain to Emperor.
- He supported the revolution's ideals to some extent, but his ambition drove his actions.
- He enacted the Napoleonic Code, simplifying legal codes, and re-established religious power and a public education system for all students.
Military Achievements
- Napoleon won wars against Austria, Italy, Egypt, and others.
- His military success led to him being called upon to help with a coup d'état (power grab) in France.
- He crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804 and conquered most of Europe, building a French Empire.
- He utilized the levee en masse (draft), mobilizing all citizens to fight for the nation.
- He eventually lost to the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo.
The Russian Campaign
- This campaign led to Napoleon's downfall, with crucial details explored in the case study on pp. 54-55.
The French Revolution - Importance
- The French Revolution marked a historic shift, with the first overthrow of a monarchy and its replacement with a democracy.
- It inspired further democratic movements in Europe.
- The Declaration of the Rights of Man established human rights, granting the right to vote for all white men.
- It fostered ideological diversity, leading to different perspectives on government structures.
Secularism and France Today
- France, due to the dechristianization during the French Revolution, has a strong secular tradition (separation of church and state).
- This led to religious symbol bans in schools (2004) and public spaces (2021), including religious face coverings.
- These bans were implemented following terrorist attacks by extremist Islamic groups.
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Description
Explore the fascinating aspects of the French Revolution, including its rise of nationalism, the role of Louis XIV, and the critical events like the Estates General and the Tennis Court Oath. This quiz will test your knowledge on how these factors shaped modern France and the political landscape of Europe.
