French Revolution – History, Summary, Causes, Quiz PDF

The French Revolution  also known as “Mother of all Revolutions” took place from 1789 to 1799. It lead to the beginning of modern democracy which changed France by ending the monarchy. Influenced by a number of  thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau, this revolution promoted ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity. This blog is about ”French Revolution – History, Summary, Causes! Download the study notes and Quiz pdf for free!

French Revolution – History, Summary, Causes

Summary of the French Revolution

Prelude to Revolution:

• • Economic Hardships:
    • National debt from costly wars.
    • High taxes on commoners (Third Estate).
    • Rising bread prices causing hunger.
  • Social Inequality:
    • Society divided into Three Estates:
      • First Estate: Clergy (285 members).
      • Second Estate: Nobility, including the royal family except the king (308 members).
      • Third Estate: Commoners (621 members).

Key Events:

• • Estates-General and the National Assembly (1789):
    • King Louis XVI called a meeting. He raised new taxes after 175 years.
    • The Third Estate or the common people created the National Assembly. They wrote a new constitution.
  • Tennis Court Oath (June 20, 1789):
    • Members of the National Assembly promised to keep meeting until they made a new constitution.
  • Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789):
    • People in Paris attacked and tore down the Bastille prison. This lead to the revolution.
  • The Great Fear (Summer 1789):
    • Fear and violence spread all across the country.
  • Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (August 1789):
    • A document that announced individual rights and democratic principle was released.
  • Reign of Terror (1793-1794):
    • Led by Robespierre, many people were executed as they were seen as enemies of the revolution.
  • Thermidorian Reaction (1794):
    • Robespierre was defeated and killed.  This led to the end of Reign of Terror.
  • Rise of Napoleon (1799):
    • Napoleon took control and put an end to the revolution. This event made him a dictator.

Influential Thinkers

• Voltaire:
  • Known as the “father of the French Revolution.”
  • Promoted rationalism, equality, and philanthropy.
  • Criticized the exploitation by priests.
• Rousseau:
  • Known as the “Prophet of the French Revolution.”
  • He gave great quotes like :
    • “Man is born free but everywhere is in chains”
    • “People are sovereign.”
  • He believed that “government is the result of a social contract between the ruling and the ruled.”
• Marie-Antoinette:
  •  She is the queen of France and wife of King Louis XVI.
  • During the French Revolution, when told that the people had no bread, she would say, “Let them eat cake.”
  • This shows how out of touch she was with the people’s problems.

Causes of the French Revolution

Economic Discontent:

• • Heavy taxation on the Third Estate.
  • National debt and financial mismanagement.
  • Famine and rising bread prices causing widespread hunger.

Social Inequality:

• • Privileges for the clergy and nobility.
  • Burdens on the commoners (Third Estate).

Political Factors:

• • Absolute monarchy with King Louis XVI.
  • Lack of political representation for the Third Estate.
  • Influence of Enlightenment ideas promoting liberty and equality.

Cultural and Intellectual Causes:

• • Thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau challenged traditional authority.
  • American Revolution influenced French Revolution.

French Revolution Quiz PDF 

French Revolution Quiz

1. When did the French Revolution begin?

a) 1776

b) 1789

c) 1799

d) 1812

2. What event is considered the start of the French Revolution?

a) The signing of the Declaration of Independence

b) The storming of the Bastille

c) The execution of King Louis XVI

d) The Battle of Waterloo

3. Which document proclaimed the rights of French citizens and laid the groundwork for modern human rights?

a) The Magna Carta

b) The Napoleonic Code

c) The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

d) The U.S. Constitution

4. Who was the leader during the Reign of Terror?

a) Napoleon Bonaparte

b) Maximilien Robespierre

c) King Louis XVI

d) Georges Danton

5. Which estate comprised the commoners of France?

a) First Estate

b) Second Estate

c) Third Estate

d) Fourth Estate

Answers:

1. b) 1789
2. b) The storming of the Bastille
3. c) The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
4. b) Maximilien Robespierre
5. c) Third Estate

Conclusion

The French Revolution or the “Mother of all Revolutions,” helped in reshaping France. It influenced more revolutions through out the world. Thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau played major roles in shaping the revolutionary ideas. They include ideas of rationalism, equality, and the social contract. The French revolution’s causes, events, and outcomes have left a major mark in the history of the world. This led to the formation of the modern democratic societies.