MUST KNOW--French Revolution Questions

12 questions from the review sheet, must learn + recite answers.

What were the causes of France’s financial problems?

—French involvement in the Seven Years War and the American fight for independence added substantial amount of debt to France, as well as Louis XVI’s multitude of foreign wars which he consequently continued to lose. Worsening the issue, France had to continue to fund their army and navy which became a meaningless expenditure. Louis XVI continued to push to maintain his and Marie-Antoinette’s lavish lifestyle in their palace at Versailles (The Sun King). This infuriated the public, as they were left in poverty.

What was Napoleon’s political stance?

—Napoleon himself believed he was the spirit of the revolution through his rule, but had no tolerance for those who demanded more freedoms. He believed in a government for the people but not by the people, he created a friendlier monarchy than that when Louis XVI was ruler of France. He granted himself the title of “First Consul” after drafting the constitution essentially making himself the King of France but not with the official title.

Why was Louis XVI executed?

—The sans-culotte captured and arrested both Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, and shortly after the monarchy was abolished by the National Convention. Later, it became apparent to the people of Louis’ counterrevolutionary influences in Austria and other foreign nations. He was then put on trial for treason, and in 1793 he was found guilty of high treason and was executed by guillotine. A few months later, his wife Antoinette followed.

What was the Great Fear? What happened during it?

—The Great Fear was a period of riot and protest by peasants and others who had heard the rumors of the “aristocratic conspiracy” by the king and the rest of the privileged to overthrow the Third Estate. The gathering of troops around Paris then pushed peasants to rebellion, seizing the Bastille on July 14th. To check the peasants, the National Assembly decreed the abolition of the feudal regime and introduced the Declaration of Rights of Man and of Citizen.

Why was the King brought to Paris?

\--The King and his family were pushed out of their home in Versailles and pushed to the Tuileries Palace in Paris as a result of the Women’s march (mob descends) on Versailles.

Why was it a bad decision for Napoleon to place his relatives on the throne of other countries?

Why did Louis call the Assembly of Notables?

—The Assembly of Notables was called by Louis to potentially find a remedy to France’s various financial problems. Charles de Calonne proposed levying a heavy tax on french nobility, but the Assembly of Notables rejected that plan.

How did Europe react to the French Revolution?

—Increased border control, enlightened rulers turned against France, & the Legislative Assembly declared war on multiple states.

What was the major problem for the Legislative Assembly?

—In the short time that the Legislative Assembly existed, it struggled to pass reforms, faced the threat of war from other European nations and had to deal with lingering economic issues. Therefore, the Legislative Assembly dissolved in September of 1792 and was replaced by the much more radical National Convention.

Why was church property confiscated?

—By late 1789, there was a consensus in the Assembly that the church should surrender much of its wealth, to help alleviate the national debt. In return, the national government would assume responsibility for clerical salaries and relieve the church of its responsibilities for education and poor relief.

What was the issue in the Estates General?

—All three segments of the Estates General had conflicting interests, so they could never come to a decisive decision on any subject presented by the King, it ended by the Third Estate coming together as the National Assembly, signaling the outbreak of the French Revolution.

How did the relationship of the church and government change throughout the revolution and Napoleon?