French Revolution

What sparked the Flour War of 1775 in France?

Protests against the rising costs of bread and flour.

What were the economic causes of the Flour War?

Poor harvests, inflation, and widespread economic hardship.

How did the French monarchy respond to the unrest during the Flour War?

By enforcing price controls, which proved largely ineffective.

What significance did the Flour War have in relation to the French Revolution?

It marked a critical turning point and highlighted public frustration with the monarchy.

Who replaced Jacques Necker as Controller-General of Finances in 1783?

Charles Alexandre de Calonne.

What major reform did Charles Alexandre de Calonne propose?

Instituting a universal land tax payable by all estates without exemption.

What was the outcome of the Assembly of Notables convened by Calonne in 1787?

The Notables rejected the land tax, leading to Calonne's dismissal.

How did the American Revolution affect France's financial situation?

It worsened the crown's debt due to heavy French financial and military support.

What were some reasons Marie Antoinette was unpopular with the common people?

Rumors of affairs, lavish spending, opposition to reforms, and alleged sympathy for France's enemies.

What were the two main roles of the Parlement in France?

To offer advice to the king and officially register his commands.

What action did the king take against the Parlement in 1787?

He had three leaders of the Parlement arrested and attempted to dissolve it in 1788.

What was the purpose of summoning the Estates General?

To pass taxes through representatives elected from all three estates in France.

What significant event occurred in 1789 during the Revolution?

The Estates-General was convened, the Bastille was stormed, and the Declaration of the Rights of Man was adopted.

What was the Tennis Court Oath?

A pledge made by members of the Third Estate not to disband their newly formed National Assembly.

Why was the Bastille stormed on July 14, 1789?

It was a symbol of royal authority and stored weapons; anger stemmed from high prices and socio-economic inequality.

What transformation occurred in Paris following the storming of the Bastille?

The king surrendered control, troops were removed, and a city council was established with elected leaders.

What were the August Decrees, and when did they begin?

On August 4th, they abolished feudalism and removed tax exemptions for the 1st and 2nd Estates.

Who authored the Declaration of the Rights of Man?

Abbe Sieyes and Lafayette.

What did the radical Montagnards believe during the Revolutionary Wars?

That the government should focus on expanding the Revolution and creating more reforms within France.

What was the main outcome of the Reign of Terror?

Radical Montagnards arrested most important Girondins, increasingly radicalizing the Committee.

What is nationalism, as described in the context of the Revolution?

An attempt to create a national identity through propaganda, language, and religion.

What distinguishes Utopian Socialism from modern socialism?

Utopian Socialism sought complete equality and focused on the interests of the working class, differing from competition-driven capitalism.