Quiz Topic Sheet
The French Revolution
The French Revolution, which lasted from 1789 to 1799, was a pivotal period in the history of France and the world. It marked the transition from the Ancien Régime, characterized by absolute monarchy and privileges, to a society founded on equality, citizenship, and the principles of modern democracy. These ten years were marked by major political, economic, and social upheavals that profoundly transformed France and influenced the course of world history.
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Context and Causes of the Revolution (Before 1789)
- Crisis of the Ancien Régime: In 1789, France was in crisis. The absolute monarchy was being challenged, particularly by the rise of Enlightenment ideas that questioned the foundations of royal authority and the privileges of the nobility and clergy.
- Economic and Social Difficulties: France faced a severe economic crisis, exacerbated by the poor harvests of 1788, the cost of the American War of Independence, and the state’s debt. The Third Estate suffered from fiscal and social inequalities.
- Meeting of the Estates-General: In response to financial difficulties, Louis XVI called the Estates-General in May 1789, hoping to find a solution to the crisis. This assembly quickly became a catalyst for popular demands.
Beginning of the Revolution and Fall of Absolute Monarchy (1789-1792)
- Storming of the Bastille and Great Fear: On July 14, 1789, the storming of the Bastille symbolized the popular revolt against tyranny. The "Great Fear" spread across the countryside, leading to peasant uprisings against feudal lords.
- Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen: In August 1789, the National Constituent Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, establishing the principles of equality and individual liberty.
- Constitution of 1791 and Flight to Varennes: In 1791, the first French Constitution was adopted, establishing a constitutional monarchy. However, the king’s flight and arrest in Varennes in June 1791 discredited him in the eyes of the people.
End of Monarchy and Radicalization (1792-1794)
- Proclamation of the Republic: In August 1792, the storming of the Tuileries and the arrest of the king marked the end of the monarchy. In September, the First Republic was proclaimed.
- Trial and Execution of Louis XVI: In January 1793, Louis XVI was tried for treason and executed. This event radicalized the Revolution and deeply divided France.
- Reign of Terror and Committee of Public Safety: Faced with internal and external threats, the Revolution entered a period of Terror (1793-1794). The Committee of Public Safety, led by Robespierre, took extreme measures against the "enemies of the Revolution," leading to thousands of executions.
Thermidorian Reaction and the Directory (1794-1799)
- Fall of Robespierre: In July 1794, Robespierre's fall marked the end of the Terror. Moderate deputies, opposed to revolutionary excesses, took power.
- Directory and Instability: The Directory (1795-1799) was a period marked by political instability and uprisings. The regime tried to stabilize the situation but proved ineffective in the face of economic crises and persistent social tensions.
- Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte: In November 1799, the Coup of 18 Brumaire ended the Directory and marked the beginning of the Consulate, paving the way for the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Consequences and Legacy of the Revolution
- Transformation of Society: The French Revolution abolished privileges, introduced equality before the law, and promoted the emergence of a society based on citizenship and political participation.
- International Impact: Revolutionary ideas spread beyond France’s borders, inspiring other liberation movements in Europe and the Americas. The Revolution also marked the end of the Ancien Régime in France, laying the foundations for political and social modernity.
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Quiz questions preview
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Where was Marie-Antoinette imprisoned while awaiting trial?
At the Luxembourg Prison | At the Conciergerie | At the Salpêtrière | At the Pavillon de Flore -
Who played a central role in the march on Versailles during the Days of October 5 and 6, 1789?
Soldiers | Women | Nobles | Children -
Which revolutionary club was Georges Danton one of the leaders of?
Chandeliers | Montagnards | Corbeaux | Cordeliers -
Who murdered Jean-Paul Marat in July 1793?
Louise Michel | Charlotte Corday | Princess of Lamballe | Pauline Léon -
Which territorial division created by the Constituent Assembly during the Revolution came into effect in March 1790?
Borough | Department | District | County