French Revolution

Question 1

What event began on the morning of 14 July 1789 in Paris?

Answer 1

The gathering of 7,000 men and women in front of the town hall to form a peoples’ militia

This was in response to rumors that the king would order the army to open fire on citizens.

Question 2

What was the target of the people’s militia during the events of 14 July 1789?

Answer 2

The fortress-prison known as the Bastille

The Bastille symbolized the despotic power of the king.

Question 3

What was the outcome of the storming of the Bastille?

Answer 3

The commander of the Bastille was killed and the prisoners were released

Only seven prisoners were found and released.

Question 4

What did the people do with the remnants of the Bastille after its demolition?

Answer 4

The stone fragments were sold in the markets as souvenirs

This act symbolized the rejection of the king’s power.

Question 5

What was the general public’s sentiment during the riots following the storming of the Bastille?

Answer 5

Protests against the high price of bread

These protests reflected widespread discontent among the people.

Question 6

What significant historical outcome did historians associate with the events of July 1789?

Answer 6

The execution of the king in France

Most people at the time did not foresee this outcome.

Question 7

True or False: The Bastille was well-liked by the citizens of Paris before its storming.

Answer 7

False

The Bastille was hated as it represented oppressive royal power.

Question 8

Fill in the blank: The storming of the Bastille is often seen as the beginning of a chain of events that led to the _______.

Answer 8

execution of the king

Question 9

What did the people hope to find in the Bastille during the storming?

Answer 9

Hoarded ammunition l

This was part of their effort to arm themselves against the king’s troops.

Question 10

Who ascended the throne of France in 1774?

Answer 10

Louis XVI

Question 11

What was the age of Louis XVI when he became king?

Answer 11

20 years old

Question 12

Who was Louis XVI married to?

Answer 12

Marie Antoinette

Question 13

What financial situation did Louis XVI find upon his accession?

Answer 13

An empty treasury

Question 14

What contributed to the empty treasury of France in 1774?

Answer 14

Long years of war and the cost of maintaining an extravagant court

Question 15

Which war did France participate in that increased its debt?

Answer 15

The American Revolutionary War

Question 16

How much debt did the French state incur from the American Revolutionary War?

Answer 16

More than a billion livres

Question 17

What was the total debt of France by the time of Louis XVI’s accession?

Answer 17

More than 2 billion livres

Question 18

What interest rate did lenders begin to charge the French government?

Answer 18

10 percent

Question 19

What percentage of the French budget was spent on interest payments?

Answer 19

An increasing percentage

Question 20

What was the main source of revenue for the French government?

Answer 20

Taxes

Question 21

What estate in French society was responsible for paying taxes?

Answer 21

The Third Estate

Question 22

What system divided French society in the eighteenth century?

Answer 22

The feudal system

Question 23

What term is used to describe French society before 1789?

Answer 23

Old Regime

Question 24

What percentage of the population did peasants make up in France during the eighteenth century?

Answer 24

About 90 percent

Question 25

Who owned about 60 percent of the land in France?

Answer 25

Nobles, the Church, and richer members of the Third Estate

Question 26

What privileges did the clergy and nobility enjoy?

Answer 26

Exemption from paying taxes

Question 27

What were the dues that nobles extracted from peasants called?

Answer 27

Feudal dues

Question 28

What tax did the Church extract from peasants?

Answer 28

Tithes

Question 29

What was the direct tax paid to the state called?

Answer 29

Taille

Question 30

What type of taxes were levied on everyday consumption articles?

Answer 30

Indirect taxes

Question 31

What was the primary burden of financing the state activities?

Answer 31

Taxes paid by the Third Estate

Question 32

What led to a rapid increase in the demand for grains in France?

Answer 32

Population growth from 23 million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789

Question 33

What was the staple diet of the majority in France?

Answer 33

Bread

Question 34

What caused the price of bread to rise rapidly?

Answer 34

Production of grains could not keep pace with demand

Question 35

What was the impact of rising prices on workers' wages?

Answer 35

Wages did not keep pace with rising prices

Question 36

What was a subsistence crisis?

Answer 36

An extreme situation where the basic means of livelihood are endangered

Question 37

What events frequently contributed to subsistence crises in France?

Answer 37

Drought or hail reducing the harvest

Question 38

What was the term for one-tenth of agricultural produce paid to the Church?

Answer 38

Tithe

Question 39

What was the tax that had to be paid directly to the state?

Answer 39

Taille

Question 40

What is a subsistence crisis?

Answer 40

A situation characterized by food scarcity leading to rising prices and increased mortality rates. ## Footnote It can be triggered by factors such as disease epidemics.

Question 41

Which social class emerged in the eighteenth century as a result of overseas trade and manufacturing?

Answer 41

The middle class. ## Footnote This class included merchants, manufacturers, lawyers, and administrative officials.

Question 42

What belief did the educated members of the middle class hold regarding social status?

Answer 42

Social position should depend on merit, not birth. ## Footnote This idea challenged the existing privileges based on noble birth.

Question 43

Who were the philosophers that advocated for a society based on freedom and equal laws?

Answer 43

* John Locke * Jean Jacques Rousseau * Montesquieu

Question 44

What was the main argument in John Locke's 'Two Treatises of Government'?

Answer 44

To refute the doctrine of the divine and absolute right of the monarch.

Question 45

What concept did Rousseau propose regarding government?

Answer 45

A social contract between people and their representatives.

Question 46

What did Montesquieu propose in 'The Spirit of the Laws'?

Answer 46

A division of power within government among the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches.

Question 47

How did the ideas of Enlightenment philosophers spread among the public?

Answer 47

Through salons, coffee-houses, books, and newspapers.

Question 48

What triggered anger and protest against the privileges of the monarchy?

Answer 48

Louis XVI's plan to impose further taxes to meet state expenses.

Question 49

Fill in the blank: The poorest can no longer buy _______.

Answer 49

bread.

Question 50

What did Georges Danton express about his education and career prospects?

Answer 50

He felt educated yet unable to find a career due to lack of noble birth and resources.

Question 51

What warning does Arthur Young convey regarding the treatment of slaves?

Answer 51

Choosing to be served by ill-treated slaves poses risks to one's property and safety.

Question 52

What does Young imply about the consequences of social inequalities?

Answer 52

Social injustices may lead to violent repercussions, such as riots.

Question 53

Fill in the blank: The course of a subsistence crisis can lead to an increased number of _______.

Answer 53

deaths.

Question 54

What did the middle class believe should not privilege society?

Answer 54

Birth.

Question 55

What was a significant outcome of the American Constitution for political thinkers in France?

Answer 55

It served as an important example for individual rights.