History: The French Revolution

Topics in this chapter

• French Society Under the Old Regime
• Economic Crisis and Revolutionary Causes
• Revolutionary Ideas, Symbols, and Rights
• Outbreak and Constitutional Monarchy
• Republic, Jacobins, and Reign of Terror
• Citizenship, Women, and Colonial Slavery
• Directory, Napoleon, and Revolutionary Legacy

Cheat sheet

Practice questions

1. Question 1Q-C93642

   Which social group constituted the bulk of the Third Estate in 18th-century France and bore the burden of nearly all taxes?

   1. A.Big businessmen, merchants, and lawyers
   2. B.Peasants and artisans
   3. C.Court officials and administrators
   4. D.Wealthy landowners and nobles
   See the answer and solution
2. Question 2Q-D6B596

   What was the name of the direct tax paid by the Third Estate directly to the state in 18th-century France?

   1. A.Tithe
   2. B.Taille
   3. C.Livre
   4. D.Gabelle
   See the answer and solution
3. Question 3Q-4AA13D

   Which philosopher proposed the division of power within the government between the legislative, the executive, and the judiciary in his book 'The Spirit of the Laws'?

   1. A.Jean-Jacques Rousseau
   2. B.John Locke
   3. C.Montesquieu
   4. D.Voltaire
   See the answer and solution
4. Question 4Q-C3ECD2

   Why was the fortress-prison of the Bastille hated by the French people prior to its storming on July 14, 1789?

   1. A.It stored all the food grains of Paris meant for the poor.
   2. B.It stood for the despotic power of the monarch.
   3. C.It was the main headquarters of the Jacobin club.
   4. D.It served as the parliament building where unjust laws were made.
   See the answer and solution
5. Question 5Q-894849

   What major political change was brought about by the constitution of 1791 drafted by the National Assembly?

   1. A.It established a complete democracy with universal adult suffrage for all citizens.
   2. B.It handed over absolute sovereign powers back to King Louis XVI.
   3. C.It limited the powers of the monarch and made France a constitutional monarchy.
   4. D.It abolished the monarchy completely and declared France a republic.
   See the answer and solution