Key Events of the French Revolution

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What was the National Assembly?

The National Assembly was the revolutionary assembly formed by representatives of the Third Estate.

What major political and social change occurred on August 4, 1789?

The abolition of the feudal system and privileges of the nobility and clergy.

What document was adopted by the National Assembly in August 1789?

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

Who were the sans-culottes?

The sans-culottes were radical working-class men and women who pushed for extreme change in France.

What was the Reign of Terror?

A period (1793-1794) during the French Revolution when thousands were executed for being "enemies" of the revolution.

Who was Maximilien Robespierre?

A radical Jacobin leader and one of the principal architects of the Reign of Terror.

What was the Committee of Public Safety?

A powerful body that controlled France during the Reign of Terror, dominating the revolutionary government.

What was the significance of the Women's March on Versailles?

It forced the royal family to move from Versailles to Paris, increasing the influence of the Parisian populace in politics.

When was Louis XVI executed?

January 21, 1793.

What was the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?

A law passed in 1790 that subordinated the Catholic Church in France to the French government.

What major military coalition opposed the French revolutionary government?

The First Coalition, which included countries like Austria, Prussia, and Great Britain.

What change in government followed the fall of the monarchy in 1792?

The establishment of the French First Republic.

What was the Law of 22 Prairial?

A decree during the Reign of Terror that extended the reach of the Revolutionary Tribunal, leading to more executions.

What was the Cult of the Supreme Being?

An artificial religion established by Robespierre to promote civic virtues and rationalism.

Which directory governed France after the Reign of Terror?

The Directory, which ruled from 1795 to 1799.




Test Your Knowledge

Select the correct option


1. What was the National Assembly?

The revolutionary assembly formed by representatives of the Third Estate.

The assembly of the French nobility.

A council set up by the monarch to address inflation issues.

The assembly convened to draft the French Civil Code.

2. What major political and social change occurred on August 4, 1789?

Abolition of the feudal system and privileges of the nobility and clergy.

Declaration of War against Austria.

Election of the first President of France.

Introduction of universal male suffrage.

3. What document was adopted by the National Assembly in August 1789?

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

The Magna Carta.

The French Constitution of 1791.

The Edict of Nantes.

4. Who were the sans-culottes?

Radical working-class men and women pushing for extreme change in France.

Members of the French aristocracy.

A faction supporting the constitutional monarchy.

Religious figures advocating for church rights.

5. What was the Reign of Terror?

1793-1794 period during the French Revolution when thousands were executed.

The period of Napoleon's conquests across Europe.

A plan to eliminate political opponents in the French government.

The time when France was under Viking threat.

6. Who was Maximilien Robespierre?

A radical Jacobin leader and architect of the Reign of Terror.

The first President of the French Republic.

A French philosopher advocating for Enlightenment ideals.

A military commander during the Napoleonic wars.

7. What was the Committee of Public Safety?

A powerful body controlling France during the Reign of Terror.

An assembly focused on agricultural reform.

A sect advocating for the abolition of monarchy.

A civilian group organized to manage urban planning.

8. What was the significance of the Women's March on Versailles?

Forced the royal family to move to Paris, boosting Parisian political influence.

Introduced women's suffrage in France.

Led to the execution of Louis XVI.

Abolished the French monarchy.

9. When was Louis XVI executed?

January 21, 1793.

July 14, 1789.

May 5, 1791.

September 22, 1792.

10. What was the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?

1790 law that subordinated the Catholic Church to the French government.

A 1792 treaty between France and the Vatican.

Regulation to improve conditions for French clergy.

A declaration of religious freedom in France.

11. What major military coalition opposed the French revolutionary government?

The First Coalition, including Austria, Prussia, and Great Britain.

The Triple Alliance of German states.

The League of Nations.

The Holy Alliance of 1815.

12. What change in government followed the fall of the monarchy in 1792?

Establishment of the French First Republic.

Ascension of a new monarchy under Napoleon.

Reinstatement of the feudal system.

Creation of the Vichy government.

13. What was the Law of 22 Prairial?

A decree extending the reach of the Revolutionary Tribunal, leading to more executions.

The law that abolished the French currency.

Legislation instituting the Napoleonic Code.

A treaty ending the Revolutionary Wars.

14. What was the Cult of the Supreme Being?

An artificial religion established by Robespierre to promote civic virtues.

A Catholic denomination gaining power in 1792.

A movement to restore Protestant churches in France.

A sect opposing the revolutionary government.

15. Which directory governed France after the Reign of Terror?

The Directory, which ruled from 1795 to 1799.

The Consulate, led by Napoleon.

The Estates General.

The Bourbons restoration committee.