French Revolution - Aftermath

Question 1

What were some of the major changes made by the National Assembly?

Answer 1

1. The feudal system was abolished along with the privileges held by the nobles and the clergy.
2. The balance in power was now no longer in favour of the French Monarchy.
3. This marked the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in France.
4. A new constitution was written, limiting the power of the king. It included the famous statement which was called the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen.

Question 2

What was the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen?

Answer 2

1. THe declaration gave French citizens rights like rights to life, freedom of speech and equality.
2. Like the declaration of independence in the United States, the French declaration guaranteed all citizens equal and enshrined property rights and free assembly.
3. It proposed to abolish the absolute power of the monarchy and established representative government. 4. Louis XVI refused to accept the document, triggering another massive public outcry.

Question 3

What were the revolutionary wars?

Answer 3

1. The king and queen of France secretly tried to get back their throne with the help from the rulers of Austria and Prussia.
2. . The rulers of Austria and Prussia felt threatened by the liberal ideas popularised by the Declaration as they were worried that the ideas of revolution would spread to their countries.
3. The revolutionaries became suspicious and declared a war on Austria and Prussia.
4. An army of regular French soldiers was able to defend France against the Austrian and Prussian armies

Question 4

Describe the end of monarchs.

Answer 4

1. King Louis XVI was accused of treason and was executed on January 21, 1793.
2. This was followed by the execution of Marie Antoinette on October 16, 1793.

Question 5

Describe Robespierre and the Reign of Terror.

Answer 5

The revolution in France received stiff opposition by the nobles and clergy. Robespierre was a young lawyer who had supported the cause of the Third Estate during the Estates General meeting.

He led the revolutionary group called the Jacobins and they were determined to continue the revolution. As a result, many nobles and people who were against the revolution were guillotined.

Question 6

How did the French Revolution end?

Answer 6

1. The people of France became sick and tired of the revolution and had longed for peace due to the widespread anarchy and disorder in France that had escalated after the Revolution.
2. Robespierre was executed and a new change was introduced in France led by the body called the Directory, which was composed of 5 important members.
3. The French Directory, or Directorate was the government of France from 1795 to 1799. The main intention of the Directory was to restore peace and stability to France after the Revolution.