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Questions and Answers
What was the main purpose of the Constitution of 1791?
What was the main purpose of the Constitution of 1791?
- To centralize power in the hands of the King.
- To limit the powers of the monarch and distribute them among institutions. (correct)
- To abolish the judiciary.
- To establish absolute monarchy.
Who were classified as active citizens under the Constitution of 1791?
Who were classified as active citizens under the Constitution of 1791?
- All men over 25 years of age.
- Only men who paid taxes equal to at least 3 days of a laborer's wage. (correct)
- Women and children above the age of 25.
- Men of any age who supported the monarchy.
Which body had the authority to make laws under the Constitution of 1791?
Which body had the authority to make laws under the Constitution of 1791?
- The King and his ministers.
- The National Assembly, which was indirectly elected. (correct)
- A council of judges.
- The National Assembly elected directly by citizens.
What was the requirement for a man to qualify as an elector?
What was the requirement for a man to qualify as an elector?
Which of the following groups did not have voting rights under the Constitution of 1791?
Which of the following groups did not have voting rights under the Constitution of 1791?
What significant event occurred on July 14, 1789?
What significant event occurred on July 14, 1789?
What action did Louis XVI take in response to the National Assembly?
What action did Louis XVI take in response to the National Assembly?
Which event led to the widespread panic known as the 'Great Fear'?
Which event led to the widespread panic known as the 'Great Fear'?
What significant change occurred regarding the feudal system in France in August 1789?
What significant change occurred regarding the feudal system in France in August 1789?
What was a primary reason for the rising discontent leading to the revolution?
What was a primary reason for the rising discontent leading to the revolution?
What did the Third Estate achieve by forming the National Assembly?
What did the Third Estate achieve by forming the National Assembly?
What happened to many nobles during the Great Fear?
What happened to many nobles during the Great Fear?
What were the tithes that were abolished by the Assembly?
What were the tithes that were abolished by the Assembly?
What significant political change occurred in France on September 21, 1792?
What significant political change occurred in France on September 21, 1792?
What was the primary purpose of the Marseillaise when it was first sung?
What was the primary purpose of the Marseillaise when it was first sung?
Who was the leader of the Jacobin club?
Who was the leader of the Jacobin club?
What term did the members of the Jacobin club use to identify themselves based on their attire?
What term did the members of the Jacobin club use to identify themselves based on their attire?
What was a major reason for the storming of the Palace of the Tuileries in 1792?
What was a major reason for the storming of the Palace of the Tuileries in 1792?
Which group primarily made up the Jacobin club?
Which group primarily made up the Jacobin club?
What kind of rights did the Constitution of 1791 provide?
What kind of rights did the Constitution of 1791 provide?
What was the reaction of neighboring countries to the developments in France?
What was the reaction of neighboring countries to the developments in France?
What action did Louis XVI take on May 5, 1789, regarding taxation?
What action did Louis XVI take on May 5, 1789, regarding taxation?
What was the composition of the representatives in the Estates General?
What was the composition of the representatives in the Estates General?
Why did the members of the third estate walk out of the Estates General assembly?
Why did the members of the third estate walk out of the Estates General assembly?
What did the representatives of the third estate proclaim on June 20, 1789?
What did the representatives of the third estate proclaim on June 20, 1789?
How did voting in the Estates General traditionally occur?
How did voting in the Estates General traditionally occur?
Which philosopher's ideas influenced the third estate's demand for voting reform?
Which philosopher's ideas influenced the third estate's demand for voting reform?
Who were the leaders of the National Assembly formed by the third estate?
Who were the leaders of the National Assembly formed by the third estate?
When did Louis XVI last call a meeting of the Estates General before 1789?
When did Louis XVI last call a meeting of the Estates General before 1789?
What significant event took place shortly after the formation of the National Assembly in 1789?
What significant event took place shortly after the formation of the National Assembly in 1789?
What was one of the immediate goals of the National Assembly?
What was one of the immediate goals of the National Assembly?
What significant action did the Convention take on September 21, 1792?
What significant action did the Convention take on September 21, 1792?
Which event marked the beginning of the Jacobins' insurrection in August 1792?
Which event marked the beginning of the Jacobins' insurrection in August 1792?
Which symbol represents equality in the context of the French Revolution?
Which symbol represents equality in the context of the French Revolution?
What was a significant change regarding voting rights established during the Revolution?
What was a significant change regarding voting rights established during the Revolution?
What was one of the outcomes of the insurrection planned by the Jacobins?
What was one of the outcomes of the insurrection planned by the Jacobins?
What was the primary method of execution used during the Reign of Terror?
What was the primary method of execution used during the Reign of Terror?
What requirement was placed on all citizens regarding bread during Robespierre's government?
What requirement was placed on all citizens regarding bread during Robespierre's government?
What was a significant policy enforced by Robespierre's government regarding social titles?
What was a significant policy enforced by Robespierre's government regarding social titles?
What prompted even Robespierre’s supporters to demand a change in his approach?
What prompted even Robespierre’s supporters to demand a change in his approach?
What was the outcome for Robespierre in July 1794?
What was the outcome for Robespierre in July 1794?
What was the primary change in government that occurred after the fall of the Jacobin government?
What was the primary change in government that occurred after the fall of the Jacobin government?
Which group was specifically denied the right to vote under the new constitution introduced after the Jacobins?
Which group was specifically denied the right to vote under the new constitution introduced after the Jacobins?
What role did the Directors have within the Directory?
What role did the Directors have within the Directory?
What issue arose between the Directors and legislative councils during the Directory's rule?
What issue arose between the Directors and legislative councils during the Directory's rule?
What was the long-term impact of the Directory on French politics?
What was the long-term impact of the Directory on French politics?
What types of jobs did women from the third estate commonly hold?
What types of jobs did women from the third estate commonly hold?
Which group of women had access to education in France?
Which group of women had access to education in France?
What was one key initiative taken by women's clubs during the revolution?
What was one key initiative taken by women's clubs during the revolution?
What was the common household duty of working women in France?
What was the common household duty of working women in France?
What was the name of the most famous women's club during the French Revolution?
What was the name of the most famous women's club during the French Revolution?
What significant legal change regarding marriage was introduced during the early years of the revolutionary government?
What significant legal change regarding marriage was introduced during the early years of the revolutionary government?
What impact did the Reign of Terror have on women's political activities?
What impact did the Reign of Terror have on women's political activities?
Which of the following rights did women demand during the French Revolution?
Which of the following rights did women demand during the French Revolution?
What was one of the achievements regarding education for women during the revolutionary years?
What was one of the achievements regarding education for women during the revolutionary years?
What was a major outcome of the international suffrage movement in the early twentieth century?
What was a major outcome of the international suffrage movement in the early twentieth century?
Study Notes
Louis XVI and the Estates General
- Louis XVI increased taxes due to an empty treasury and societal discontent, requiring a meeting of the Estates General.
- The last session of the Estates General was held in 1614; Louis XVI convened it again on May 5, 1789, at Versailles.
- Each of the first and second estates sent 300 representatives; the third estate sent 600 and was seated at the back.
- Third estate representatives, representing the educated and prosperous, had their grievances documented in 40,000 letters.
- Traditional voting favored each estate having one vote, but the third estate demanded voting by individual member, a principle from Rousseau's The Social Contract.
Formation of the National Assembly
- After being denied their voting proposal, the third estate members walked out, declaring themselves the National Assembly on June 20, 1789.
- They vowed to draft a constitution to limit the monarchy's powers, led by Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes.
Key Events and Dates Leading to Revolution
- 1774: Louis XVI becomes king; societal unrest grows.
- 1789: Estates General convened, National Assembly formed, Bastille stormed.
- 1791: Constitution limits king's powers, guarantees rights.
- 1792-93: Republic declared; the king executed.
- 1804: Napoleon becomes emperor, expands territory.
- 1815: Napoleon defeated at Waterloo.
The Great Fear and Peasant Revolts
- Bad harvests and high bread prices led to peasant riots and the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789.
- Rumors of noble brigands incited peasants to attack manors, destroy records of dues, and seize grain stores.
- Nobles fled France in response to the uprisings.
Acknowledgment of the National Assembly
- On August 14, 1789, the Assembly decreed the abolition of feudal privileges, confiscating church lands worth 2 billion livres.
- The clergy was forced to give up their tithes and privileges.
Constitutional Changes
- The Constitution of 1791 established a constitutional monarchy, dividing powers amongst the legislature, executive, and judiciary.
- Active citizens (4 million men) could vote, while passive citizens (3 million) had no voting rights.
Rise of the Republic
- Tensions led to war with Prussia and Austria; the National Assembly declared war in April 1792.
- The people of Paris stormed the Tuileries, capturing the king and subsequently declaring the country a republic on September 21, 1792.
Reign of Terror
- The Reign of Terror (1793-1794) saw Robespierre enforce severe control, executing perceived enemies via guillotine.
- Price ceilings and rationing were imposed to alleviate food shortages.
- Robespierre's heavy-handed policies led to his downfall in July 1794 by the very supporters he had.
Directory and Political Stability
- Post-Jacobins, a new constitution granted power to the wealthier middle class, establishing a Directory of five members.
- Political instability ultimately allowed Napoleon Bonaparte to rise to power.
Women’s Role in the Revolution
- Women actively participated, hoping for improvements in rights; most were working class with low wages.
- Women founded clubs (e.g., Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women) to advocate for political rights.
- The Revolutionary government introduced reforms for women's education and rights but repressed political activism during the Reign of Terror.
Fight for Women’s Rights
- Women demanded political equality and the right to vote, but the 1791 Constitution designated them as passive citizens.
- In 1946, women in France finally won the right to vote, influenced by their revolutionary activities.
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Description
Explore the complexities of Louis XVI's tax reforms leading up to the French Revolution. Understand the role of the Estates General and its significance in the Old Regime. This quiz will test your knowledge on the political and economic factors that influenced the revolution.
