The French Revolution Set 1

Flashcards testing knowledge of the Old Regime, societal estates, economic troubles, key revolutionary events, and the Great Fear.

Which two groups made up the privileged estates under the Old Regime in France?

The Clergy (First Estate) and the Nobility (Second Estate).

What percentage of France's land was owned by the clergy, and what duty were priests failing to perform?

The clergy owned about 10% of France's land. Priests were supposed to provide education and relief for the poor class, but they were not doing this.

What proportion of the population were nobles, and how much land did they own?

Nobles made up about 2% of the population and owned about 20% of France's land.

What main privileges distinguished the First and Second Estates from the rest of France?

They did not have to pay taxes and did not really have day to day jobs.

What percentage of the population made up the Third Estate?

About 97% of the population.

Who were the Bourgeoisie in French society?

Everyday people within the Third Estate who wanted to be Nobles.

What percentage of the population was made up of peasants?

Peasants were the lowest class and made up about 80% of the population.

How did Enlightenment ideas spark questioning of authority in France?

People began questioning who should have power and authority, realizing that the distribution of power was unfair since peasants made up most of the population.

What foreign revolution inspired the French to question and challenge their king?

The American Revolution, where Americans overthrew their king.

What three major factors created economic troubles in France before the revolution?

The cost of living went up, there was crop failure, and Marie Antoinette spent money on things that were not important at all.

How was the National Assembly formed?

The Third Estate walked out over the meaning of the three estates and formed the National Assembly.

What was the Tennis Court Oath?

A pledge created by the Third Estate after realizing they were locked out, stating that they would keep meeting until they wrote a constitution for the country.

How did King Louis 16th (Louis XVI) respond to the actions of the Third Estate?

He prepared and threatened to use force on the Third Estate by calling in an army.

Why did peasants storm the Bastille, and what occurred during the storming?

Peasants heard rumors that the king wanted to kill them all, so they stormed the Bastille to get weapons, killed the guards, and marched around with heads on pikes.

What rumor triggered the Great Fear in France?

Rumors spread that the Nobles were trying to kill all the peasants, leading to widespread mob mentality and panic.

What was the Robin Hood Principle applied by peasants during the Great Fear?

Peasants burned their leases and debt letters to get rid of their own debt.

What caused the riots in October 1789, and what were the rioters demanding?

A shortage of bread caused women to riot because they could not feed their husbands or kids; they went to the streets demanding bread and money.