The French Revolution Begin:Pre-Test

When the National Assembly broke off from the Estates-General, what was the assembly's intent?

A to achieve genuine government reform

On July 14, 1789, French citizens unhappy with the failed government reforms stormed the Bastille, a medieval fortress prison. What has this event come to represent in French history?

B liberty

After the National Assembly was locked out of the Estates-General meeting, members of the assembly met on a tennis court in Versailles and swore the Tennis Court Oath. What vow did they make with this oath?

C to continue to work until France had a constitution

What action made Louis XVI such an unpopular ruler?

He did not support government reform.

Why was Louis XVI considered ineffectual?

He failed to respond to the needs of the people.

How did French support of the American Revolution increase problems for King Louis XVI?

It accelerated the economic crisis.

Montesquieu believed that government power should be divided between different branches, much like the executive, legislative, and judicial branches in the United States. He believed that this division promoted liberty and justice. What else does the separation of powers do?

It prevents one branch from gaining too much power.

Use the drop-down menus to complete the statements.

The French enlightenment thinker Montesquieu argued for, separation of powers which would have limited the power of the French monarchy. Louis XVI was unpopular with many French people, because he opposed political reforms. The American Revolution influenced the French Revolution, because it showed the French people that kings can be overthrown.

How did the American Revolution influence the French Revolution?

The colonies' victory demonstrated that a king could be defeated.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man made all French citizens equal before the law. How did this equality contrast with the ways of the Old Regime?

The declaration abolished the three estates.

In an era of bad harvests, famine, and rioting, the French government took steps to improve the worsening financial crisis. What did the government do?

The government raised taxes.

Why did the members of the Third Estate create an independent assembly?

They knew that the other two estates would block reforms that would benefit ordinary people.

Why did the Third Estate form the National Assembly?

They wanted to find ways to benefit ordinary citizens.

Read the quotation from Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

This latter consists of the different privileges, which some men enjoy to the prejudice of others; such as that of being more rich, more honored, more powerful or even in a position to exact obedience.

The separation of church and state was important to the French people because of the power and wealth held by the clergy. Which philosopher of the Enlightenment believed in this separation?

Voltaire

Which best describes what France's Old Regime was?

a social and political system

What was one advantage of being a member of the Second Estate?

having extensive privileges

Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that there were two types of inequality: natural or physical inequality and moral or political inequality. Which is an example of moral or political inequality?

having more power than others

Read the quotation from Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This latter consists of the different privileges, which some men enjoy to the prejudice of others; such as that of being more rich, more honored, more powerful or even in a position to exact obedience. -- In this passage, Rousseau refers to political inequality. Of the four inequalities listed here, which enabled the Old Regime to maintain power for as long as it did?

position

In this passage, Rousseau refers to political inequality. Of the four inequalities listed here, which enabled the Old Regime to maintain power for as long as it did?

power

Under the Old Regime, the people of France belonged to one of three estates. What was the basis of these divisions?

social class

The clergy comprised the wealthy First Estate, with members of noble descent in particular having a great deal of power. What was the source of the clergy's wealth?

tithes