Growing Middle Class Envisages An End To Privileges Flashcards
(16 cards)
What are the main causes of a subsistence crisis?
Bad harvest, disease, epidemics
A subsistence crisis can occur due to multiple factors including agricultural failures and health crises.
Which class emerged in the eighteenth century with access to education and new ideas?
Middle class
The middle class gained wealth through overseas trade and manufacturing, including textiles.
What was the socio-economic role of the third estate during the period of change?
Merchants, manufacturers, lawyers, administrative officials
The third estate was diverse, comprising various professions that contributed to economic growth.
What did philosophers like John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau advocate for?
A society based on merit and equal laws
These philosophers challenged the idea of privilege by birth and promoted freedom and equal opportunities.
What doctrine did John Locke seek to refute in his work ‘Two Treatises of Government’?
The doctrine of the divine and absolute right of the monarch
Locke argued against the notion that monarchs have a God-given right to rule.
Fill in the blank: The poorest can no longer buy _______.
bread
This highlights the impact of economic hardship on the lower classes during a crisis.
What were some of the consequences of food scarcity mentioned?
Food riots, scarcity of grain, increased number of deaths, rising food prices, weaker bodies
These consequences reflect the severe social and health impacts of food shortages.
True or False: The third estate only included wealthy merchants.
False
The third estate included a variety of social groups, not just wealthy individuals.
What was the significance of coffee-houses and newspapers in the context of the middle class?
They facilitated the spread of new ideas and discussions
Coffee-houses and newspapers became venues for the exchange of revolutionary thoughts among the educated middle class.
What is the concept introduced by Rousseau regarding government?
A social contract between people and their representatives
Rousseau’s idea emphasized the agreement that legitimizes the authority of the government based on the consent of the governed.
What did Montesquieu propose in The Spirit of the Laws?
A division of power within the government between legislative, executive, and judiciary
Montesquieu’s model influenced the structure of modern democracies, including the United States.
What significant event allowed the implementation of Montesquieu’s model in the USA?
The thirteen colonies declared their independence from Britain
This declaration was a crucial turning point in American history, leading to the establishment of a new government.
What was an important example for political thinkers in France derived from the USA?
The American constitution and its guarantee of individual rights
The American constitution served as a model for later democratic movements in Europe.
Where were the ideas of Enlightenment philosophers discussed extensively?
In salons and coffee-houses
These venues were critical for the exchange of ideas and the spread of Enlightenment thought among the populace.
How were books and newspapers utilized during this period?
They were read aloud in groups for the benefit of those who could not read and write
This practice helped disseminate knowledge and ideas to a wider audience, promoting literacy and civic engagement.
What action by Louis XVI sparked anger and protest against the system of privileges?
His plan to impose further taxes to meet state expenses
This decision intensified public discontent and contributed to the revolutionary atmosphere leading up to the French Revolution.
