Role of Significant Individuals

Question 1

Louis XVI (4)

Answer 1

1) American War of Independence
2) Indecisiveness in the Estates-General
3) Capitulation to the National Assembly
4) Dismissal of Necker and bringing in of troops

Question 2

Marie Antoinette (3)

Answer 2

1) Extravagant spending - ‘Madame Deficit’
2) Austrian, a traditional enemy of France
3) Became a scapegoat for the economic crisis of France

Question 3

Emmanuel Joseph (Abbe) Sieyes (4)

Answer 3

1) Political Pamphlet: ‘What is the Third Estate’
2) Critiqued the idea of privilege
3) Called for popular sovereignty and greatly influenced the National Assembly
4) Spread the ideas of the Enlightenment

Question 4

Marquis de Lafayette (3)

Answer 4

1) Involvement in the American War of Independence
2) ‘American Spirit’ and indoctrinated with revolutionary ideals
3) Becomes Commander of the National Guard on 15 July 1789

Question 5

Jacques Necker (4)

Answer 5

1) Publishing of the Compte Rendu au Roi both popularised Necker and suggested the state was not in a deficit
2) Hindered the ability of the government to solve the crisis in the future
3) Became a champion of the people due to his background
4) His dismissal on 11 July sparked urban outrage, culminating to the storming of the Bastille