What were the causes and immediate outcomes of the 1789 Revolution?

Question 1

What were the causes for the French Revolution?

Answer 1

Economic hardship, social inequality, Enlightenment ideas, financial crises, and the incompetence of King Louis XVI.

Question 2

Why were there resentments in French society?

Answer 2

The feudal system (ancien régime) created vast inequalities; the Third Estate bore the tax burden while the clergy and nobility enjoyed privileges.

Question 3

What is Enlightenment?

Answer 3

A cultural and intellectual movement in 18th-century Europe emphasizing reason, science, liberty, and equality, challenging traditional authority.

Question 4

Who is Louis XVI?

Answer 4

The King of France (1774–1792) during the French Revolution, who was executed for treason in 1793.

Question 5

Why was Louis XVI ridiculed?

Answer 5

For his indecisiveness, inability to manage France’s crises, and his perceived lack of leadership during critical moments.

Question 6

What does the term ‘ancien régime’ mean?

Answer 6

Refers to the old order of France’s feudal system, where society was divided into three estates with unequal rights and privileges.

Question 7

What are the long-term social problems?

Answer 7

Social inequality, privileges of the nobility and clergy, and exploitation of the Third Estate.

Question 8

Evidence of long-term social problems?

Answer 8

The unequal tax system, where only the Third Estate paid taxes, and peasants were subjected to feudal dues.

Question 9

What are the long-term financial problems?

Answer 9

Persistent deficits due to wars, extravagant royal spending, and reliance on borrowing.

Question 10

Evidence of long-term financial problems?

Answer 10

France’s inability to reform its taxation system and the growing national debt, which reached 4 billion livres by the late 1780s.

Question 11

Why did France go into debt?

Answer 11

Costly wars, lavish spending by the monarchy, and an inefficient tax system.

Question 12

What were the two expensive wars fought by Louis XV?

Answer 12

The War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748) and the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763).

Question 13

What were the long-term economic problems?

Answer 13

Inefficient agriculture, feudal dues, heavy taxation, and limited industrial growth.

Question 14

What were bread riots?

Answer 14

Violent protests over high bread prices due to poor harvests, which made food unaffordable for the poor.

Question 15

What were the long-term political problems?

Answer 15

Absolute monarchy, lack of representation for the Third Estate, and resistance to reform.

Question 16

Why was there a growing middle class?

Answer 16

Economic growth in trade and commerce created a bourgeoisie who demanded political representation and social equality.

Question 17

What were the short-term problems after 1774?

Answer 17

Rising bread prices, increased national debt, and Louis XVI’s failure to address the Estates-General effectively.

Question 18

What was the impact of Louis XVI’s policies?

Answer 18

Increased financial and social instability due to his failure to implement meaningful reforms.

Question 19

Why was there little attempt to change France and restrict privilege?

Answer 19

Resistance from the privileged estates and the king’s indecisiveness hindered reforms.

Question 20

What inspired the American Revolution?

Answer 20

Enlightenment ideas, resistance to British taxation, and the desire for self-governance.

Question 21

What were the pressures for change?

Answer 21

Rising discontent among the Third Estate, economic hardship, and the influence of Enlightenment ideas.

Question 22

What were the social pressures?

Answer 22

Demands for equality, resentment of feudal privileges, and increasing unrest among peasants and workers.

Question 23

Evidence of social pressures?

Answer 23

Events like the storming of the Bastille and the widespread bread riots.

Question 24

Who were the main revolutionaries of the Industrial Revolution?

Answer 24

Thinkers like Adam Smith, inventors such as James Watt, and political leaders who championed labor and industrial reforms.

Question 25

How did economic discontent lead to the revolution?

Answer 25

High taxes and food shortages drove the Third Estate to demand systemic changes.

Question 26

What occurred due to the series of bad harvests?

Answer 26

Food shortages, skyrocketing bread prices, and widespread hunger among the population.

Question 27

What did bad harvests result in?

Answer 27

Increased poverty, riots, and heightened resentment toward the monarchy.

Question 28

Why did the landowners enclose their land?

Answer 28

To increase agricultural productivity and profits, often at the expense of small farmers.

Question 29

Why was there increasing refusal from peasants to pay taxes?

Answer 29

Economic hardship and resentment toward the unequal tax system.

Question 30

What did economic discontent cause by 1788?

Answer 30

Calls for reform, mass unrest, and demands for the convening of the Estates-General.

Question 31

What did political pressures lead to the revolution?

Answer 31

The demand for a constitutional government and an end to absolute monarchy.

Question 32

For whom was the lack of political rights and participation frustrating?

Answer 32

The Third Estate and the bourgeoisie, who had no significant representation.

Question 33

Why was there a growth of interest in scientific knowledge in Europe and North America?

Answer 33

Enlightenment values promoted reason, empirical evidence, and progress.

Question 34

Why were doubts cast on traditional religious beliefs?

Answer 34

The Enlightenment questioned the authority of the Church and emphasized rational thought.