(French Revolution) Modern - Euro. - Chapter 7 (CP)

Describe the Old Regime in France.

A social and political system in France before the French Revolution. There were three social classes of France’s old regime.

Who made up the first estate?

clergy, church officials

What estate was this: nobles 

second estate

Who made up the third estate?

middle class, burgeosis, 97% of population (heavily taxed).

Why was life unfair for the Third Estate under the Old Regime?

Made up 97% of the population, paid ½ income in taxes. (Lacked representation).

How did Enlightenment ideas influence the French Revolution?

Enlightenment ideas of liberty, equality, democracy; influenced the French Revolution. (Inspired some in the 3rd Estate to question the Old Regime).

What economic problems helped cause the French Revolution?

High taxes, rising food prices, debt from royal spending, widespread hunger.

What political problems weakened the monarchy before the Revolution?

Louis XVI’s weak leadership and failure to reform. 

Why did Louis XVI call the Estates - General in 1789?

Meeting to solve debt. Each estate had one vote. He ran out of money, and wanted to tax the nobility.

Why was the storming of Bastille on July 14, 1789, an important symbol of the Revolution?

Mob attacked fortress - prison for gunpowder —> symbol of revolution. Date —> July 14, 1789. It showed the people’s power against royal authority.

What principles were stated in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen?

“Men are born free and equal in rights.” Promised: life, liberty, equality, and fraternity. 

Describe the main political factions in the Legislative Assembly.

Radicals (left): opposed the idea of monarchy; wanted sweeping changes. Moderates (center): wanted some changes. Conservatives (Right): upheld ideas of a limited monarchy; wanted few changes in gov. (Democratic vs. Republic)

Why were monarchs in other countries opposed to the French Revolution?

Other monarchs feared the Revolution would spread to their own countries.

What kind of government did the National Convention create? Which group was the most radical?

Ended the monarchy and declared France a republic (a radical government), the Jacobins were a radical group leading the changes. (extremeists). 

Why was the guillotine considered a “democratic” form of execution?

Guillotine = quick, “democratic”, and “humane” method of execution. (Didn’t matter how much money you had, you all died the same).

What was the Reign of Terror, and what was its main goal?

To crush opposition and eliminate traitors. It was a violent period of time marked by executions, to eliminate threats to the revolution.

How was France ruled after the Louis XVI was executed, during Robespierre’s rule?

Robespierre ruled like a dictator, thousands executed, trials in morning and executions in afternoon. Victims were peasant and middle class

Why did the Reign of Terror end in 1794?

Members of the National Convention turned on Robespierre, who was arrested and executed. (lost support).

Which cause [social, economic, or political] do you think was the most important in starting the French Revolution?Explain your choice.

Economic, because with the lavish spendings of Marie Antoinette, the bad harvests, and the overspending by the monarchy, the people were fed up. Not only this, but there were high taxes that damaged the economy. Because of all these factors, the people of France wanted revolution and fairness. Louis and Marie doubled the nations’ debt with excess spending.

What governing body is this: made up of the clergy, nobility, and the 97%-majority 3rd Estate—was called by Louis XVI for the first time in 175 years due to a financial crisis and the need to tax the nobility, but it remained dominated by the clergy and nobles who often overpowered the 3rd Estate?

The estates - general

What governing body is this: Formed by primary delegates of the 3rd Estate after being overpowered by the 1st and 2nd Estates, became the first representative government seeking laws and reforms for the French people, marking the first deliberate act of revolution, the death of the Old Regime, and the creation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man?

National Assembly

What governing body is this: Created by a new constitution that established a constitutional monarchy, this legislative body—made up of radicals, moderates, and conservatives—reduced the monarch’s power, made laws, approved or rejected declarations of war, and ultimately abolished the limited monarchy, removed the king, and called for new elections.

Legislative Assembly

What governing body is this: Formed after the Legislative Assembly deposed the king and called for a new legislature, this Jacobin-dominated body abolished the monarchy, declared France a republic, and led France into the Reign of Terror?

National Convention

What governing body is this: Established after Robespierre’s death and the end of the Reign of Terror, this moderate-controlled government created a two-house legislature and a five-man executive that shifted power to the middle class and briefly restored order and stability?

The Directory