Questions+pp.683-693+Fr+Rev

French Revolution Guided Reading: 683-693
Causes/Early Stages

1. On the causes of the French Revolution, the textbook says: “numerous interrelated factors must be taken into account.” What major factors does it cite? 2. Make a chart (or lists) describing the three estates. 3. Explain the theory that the French Revolution was caused by clashing interests of the nobility and bourgeoisie and the three developments that many historians now cite to contradict this theory. 4. How had groups like the nobility and the high courts (parlements) regained some power since the death of Louis XIV? 5. Why was France facing a financial crisis under Louis XV? How did he try to address this and what was the result? 6. What is meant be the desacralization of the monarchy? 7. Why did the French aid the Americans in the American Revolution and what aid did they give? (note you can simply give page 687 a quick scan- it covers details of the American Revolution that you will need to know next year, but not now. The answer to this question starts at the very bottom of 687). 8. How did French participation in the American Revolution contribute to the pressure for change in France? 9. What specific fiscal budget problems did France face? Why was the only option to fix the situation fundamental reform of the tax system? 10. Why did Louis XVI call a meeting of the Estates General in 1788 (French kings had not called it in 175 years)? 11. How are the representatives at the Estates General characterized? What kinds of things were included in their lists of grievances (called cahiers d’oleance but your book doesn’t use the term). 12. What was the conflict over voting in the Estates General? 13. What was the theme/message of the Abbe Sieyes’ pamphlet What is the Third Estate? 14. What was the National Assembly and what was their Tennis Court Oath? How did Louis XVI respond? 15. What economic hardships did the common people face at this time? 16. What were the specific concerns of the people of Paris? 17. What was the Bastille and why was it attacked? 18. What kinds of violence then became common in the countryside? 19. What happened on the Night of August 4, 1789? 20. What sorts of things did the Declaration of the Rights of Man include? 21. Why did a mob of Parisian women march on Versailles in October 1789? What was the outcome? 22. Describe the constitutional monarchy set up by the National Assembly. 23. How were women’s rights addressed in this stage of the revolution? What factors account for the continuing limitations on their rights? 24. What actions did the National Assembly take against the Catholic Church? (note that this is called the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, but your textbook does not use that term) 25. What conflicts/dissatisfaction did this attack on the Church create?