French Revolution Part 2 Reading Questions

What two “German” powers went to war with France in 1792, and why? What impact did this have on the French Revolution?

Prussia and Austria, created a crisis that legitimized everything the radicals in France warned of, allowed moderates to support radical viewpoints.

As a result of the September Massacres, and the overthrow of the Legislative Assembly and the Constitution of 1791, and the establishment of the National Convention, on paper, what type of government was France?

Republic, declared by the national convention, a nation where the people instead of the monarch hold sovereign power.

Explain the political motivations and concerns of those who wanted to spare the life of Louis XVI and those who wanted him executed.

Girondists wanted to spare his life because they were more moderate and wanted a peaceful resolve to the issues. The mountains wanted to execute him because they were radical republicans who wanted to completely erase medieval monarchy.

List and explain some of the ways that the new republican government attempted to implement the principals of the Enlightenment.

Both Girondists and mountains continued the war against tyranny. Everywhere the French armies went they abolished feudalism, created a sense of liberty, and encouraged revolution.

What changed in 1794, taking away the “emergency” that was fueling the radicals in the French government and therefore the Reign of Terror?

Radical forces successfully stopped the Prussian and other forces from advancing through France. The change was due to the revolutionary government’s success in a planned economy, revolutionary terror, and modern nationalism in a total war effort.

After the Thermidorian Reaction, the new Constitution of 1795 established what type of government in France? How was it different from the one established by the members of the National Convention in 1792?

One where middle-class members of the National Convention wrote a constitution to guarantee their economic position and political supremacy  Bicameral legislative system that included a council of 500 serving the lower house that initiated legislation and a council of Elders of about 250. Also put in effect the assembly of the Directory.

What were the results of the first “real” election held in French history in 1797? Despite these results, how were the revolutionaries able to maintain what they considered the accomplishments of the revolution from 1795-1799?

Conservatives more partial to monarchy were elected