Download French Revolution STUDY GUIDE

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French Revolution
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1. The leader of France at the start of the French Revolution was KING LOUIS XVI.
2. King Louis XVI was married to MARIE ANTOINETTE, a woman who did not have the favor of the people.
She also resented King Louis XVI, calling him a “poor man.”
3. King Louis XVI was an ABSOLUTE monarch, meaning he had total control of the government.
4. The fall of the BASTILLE prison marked the start of the French Revolution.
5. The ESTATES GENERAL was a group of representatives from the three different estates; each representing
a portion of the French population.
6. The 3RD Estate consisted of all the French people who were not church leaders or wealthy nobles. This estate
only had 1 vote. They resented the fact that they were the largest estate, yet had little political power and paid
the most in taxes. This Estate is also known as the BOURGEOISIE.
7. The 1ST Estate consisted of church leaders who owned 15% of the land. This estate got 1 vote.
8. The 2ND Estate consisted of wealthy nobles who were privileged from birth. They owned another 15% of the
land. This estate got 1 vote.
9. A primary cause of the French Revolution was the dissatisfaction of the 3RD Estate.
10. After realizing the size of their estate equaled power the 3rd Estate declared themselves a new country and
formed the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.
11. After being locked out of the Estates General, the new National Assembly went to a TENNIS COURT. Here,
they vowed not to leave until a new constitution had been agreed upon; this event would later become known
as the TENNIS COURT OATH .
12. The U.S. Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man placed emphasis on the
idea that it was the government’s duty to PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE.
13. Most revolutions occur in nations where the people are socially, POLITICALLY, or ECONOMICALLY
unhappy.
14.
MAXIMILLIEN ROBESPIERRE led the JACOBINS and eventually became the leader of the Committee of
Public Safety. During the year of his reign, nearly 40,000 people were sent to the guillotine, this period in
France’s history is known as the REIGN OF TERROR.
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French Revolution
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15. After Robespierre was executed, the French military leader NAPOLEON BONAPARTE took control of
France.
16. List some of the accomplishments of Napoleon Bonaparte: Napoleonic Code, set up government-run
public schools, made peace with the Catholic Church, tax-collection & banking system,
built a strong central government, raised a strong army, expanded France’s empire.
17. What were the causes of the French Revolution? List and describe in detail. 1- Worsening financial
conditions of the government. The country was near bankruptcy because of its
involvement in wars. 2- Economic depression. There was an economic depression in
France due to a bad harvest. Many people were starving or with little food because of
this. 3- Enlightenment. The Enlightenment influenced the thought processes of many
in the 3rd estate and planted the seeds of equality and liberty into the French people’s
minds. 4- Weak leadership. King Louis XVI was an ineffective leader and the people of
France, mainly in the 3rd estate, were frustrated. Taxes were also an issue as the 3rd
estate was the only estate that paid taxes.
18. What was the result of the French Revolution? As a result of the French Revolution, France
became a limited monarchy and more democratic. The French people also were able
to write Constitutions establishing liberty and equality for the people.
19. Why did France have debt before the Revolution occurred? France had debt because of its
involvement in the French and Indian War as well as their financial support of the
American colonists in the American Revolution.
20. List and describe 3 things that both the French Revolution and American Revolution had in common:
1- Natural rights—people wanted freedoms and equality in government structure
2- Enlightenment ideas—freedom of speech, social contract/government protecting
the rights of the people
3- Unfair taxes—both the American colonists and the people of the 3rd estate were
unfairly taxed.
21. What was the Enlightenment idea that caused the 3rd Estate to revolt? Natural rights: life, liberty,
property; as well as the concept of equality.