Causes and Prelude to the French Revolution

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What were the main social classes in pre-revolutionary France?

The main social classes were the First Estate (clergy), Second Estate (nobility), and Third Estate (commoners).

Which king was ruling France at the start of the French Revolution?

King Louis XVI.

Name one economic cause of the French Revolution.

France's financial crisis due to debt from wars and extravagant spending at the royal court.

What is the Estates-General?

The Estates-General was a general assembly representing the three estates of the realm: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners.

What was the significance of the Tennis Court Oath?

It was a vow by the Third Estate delegates not to disband until a new French constitution had been created.

Which Enlightenment writer inspired revolutionary ideas in France?

Philosophers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu inspired revolutionary ideas.

What was the date of the Storming of the Bastille?

July 14, 1789.

What was one long-term cause of the French Revolution?

Long-term causes included social inequality and influence of Enlightenment ideas.

Which estate paid the majority of taxes in pre-revolutionary France?

The Third Estate.

Why was the Bastille an important symbol?

The Bastille was a symbol of the tyranny of the Bourbon monarchy.

How did famine contribute to the onset of the French Revolution?

Famine led to skyrocketing bread prices, causing further unrest among the common people.

What was the role of the American Revolution in influencing the French Revolution?

The American Revolution inspired ideas of liberty and democracy and showed that overthrowing a monarchy could be successful.

Who was Jacques Necker and why is he significant?

Jacques Necker was a finance minister popular with the people for his reform ideas.

Name one event that directly triggered the French Revolution.

The convening of the Estates-General in 1789.

What was the Cahiers de Doléances?

The Cahiers de Doléances were notebooks of grievances prepared by the estates and presented to the Estates-General.




Test Your Knowledge

Select the correct option


1. What were the main social classes in pre-revolutionary France?

First Estate (clergy), Second Estate (nobility), Third Estate (commoners)

First Class, Second Class, Third Class

Monarchs, Nobles, Merchants

Upper Class, Middle Class, Lower Class

2. Which king was ruling France at the start of the French Revolution?

King Louis XVI

King Louis XIV

King Henry VIII

King Charles V

3. Name one economic cause of the French Revolution.

France's financial crisis due to debt and extravagant spending

High taxes on the clergy

The Industrial Revolution

A surplus of crops and food

4. What is the Estates-General?

A general assembly representing the three estates of the realm

The revolutionary government formed during the French Revolution

A high court of France during the revolution

A new political party in revolutionary France

5. What was the significance of the Tennis Court Oath?

A vow by the Third Estate to not disband until a new constitution was created

An agreement to pay taxes by the First Estate

The formation of the royal army to suppress the revolution

The treaty to cease hostilities between France and Austria

6. Which Enlightenment writer inspired revolutionary ideas in France?

Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesquieu

Cervantes

Galileo

Thomas Hobbes

7. What was the date of the Storming of the Bastille?

July 14, 1789

August 4, 1789

June 20, 1789

May 5, 1789

8. What was one long-term cause of the French Revolution?

Social inequality and influence of Enlightenment ideas

The rise of industrialization

The German Reformation

The invention of the printing press

9. Which estate paid the majority of taxes in pre-revolutionary France?

The Third Estate

The First Estate

The Second Estate

The Fourth Estate

10. Why was the Bastille an important symbol?

It was a symbol of the tyranny of the Bourbon monarchy.

It represented the French Enlightenment.

It was the military power center of France.

It was the first democratic assembly in France.

11. How did famine contribute to the onset of the French Revolution?

Famine led to skyrocketing bread prices, causing unrest

It led to an abundance of food lowering tensions

It caused migration to rural areas

Famine created economic prosperity

12. What was the role of the American Revolution in influencing the French Revolution?

Inspired ideas of liberty and democracy; showed overthrowing a monarchy was possible

It led to financial aid to France

It had no impact on France

It established a strong alliance between America and France

13. Who was Jacques Necker and why is he significant?

A finance minister popular for his reform ideas

A revolutionary leader who led the storming of the Bastille

The king's advisor on foreign policy

A famous general in the French army

14. Name one event that directly triggered the French Revolution.

The convening of the Estates-General in 1789.

The signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

The decline of the Roman Empire.

The marriage of King Louis XVI.

15. What was the Cahiers de Doléances?

Notebooks of grievances presented to the Estates-General.

The royal edict to control trade.

A revolutionary manifest

A collection of revolutionary songs