The French Revolution Begins Answer Key

The French Revolution Begins Answer Key

The French Revolution marks a pivotal turning point in world history, representing a period of radical social and political upheaval in France that lasted from 1789 to 1799. Understanding the key events, causes, and consequences of the revolution is essential for grasping the profound changes that reshaped France and influenced future democratic movements worldwide. This article provides an in-depth exploration of the beginning of the French Revolution, structured to serve as a comprehensive answer key for students, educators, and history enthusiasts seeking clarity on this transformative era.

Causes of the French Revolution

Understanding why the French Revolution began requires examining the complex web of social, economic, political, and intellectual factors that fueled discontent among various segments of French society.

Social Inequality and the Estate System

• The Three Estates: French society was divided into three estates:
  
  
  
  1. First Estate: Clergy
  
  
  2. Second Estate: Nobility
  
  
  3. Third Estate: Commoners (bourgeoisie, peasants, urban workers)
  
  
  
  


• The First and Second Estates enjoyed numerous privileges, including tax exemptions, while the Third Estate bore the brunt of taxation and lacked political power.


• This disparity led to widespread resentment and demands for reform.

Economic Hardship and Financial Crisis

• France faced a severe financial crisis due to:
  
  
  
  1. Debt accumulated from previous wars, including the Seven Years' War and the American Revolution.
  
  
  2. Lavish spending by the monarchy, especially Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
  
  
  3. Taxation inefficiencies and exemptions that limited revenue.
  
  
  
  


• Repeated financial crises led to attempts at tax reform, which were blocked by the privileged classes.


• Famine and poor harvests in the late 1780s worsened economic conditions, increasing unrest among the peasantry and urban poor.

Political Inefficiency and Enlightenment Ideas

• The monarchy's inability to effectively address the crises eroded public confidence.


• Enlightenment philosophies promoted ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity, inspiring calls for political change.


• Key thinkers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu influenced public opinion and the rising demand for democratic reforms.

Immediate Triggers of the Revolution

1. The Estates-General of 1789: Convened after a long period of neglect, it was seen as an opportunity for reform but quickly exposed deep divisions.


2. The Formation of the National Assembly: The Third Estate broke away from the Estates-General, asserting they represented the people and demanding a constitution.


3. The Tennis Court Oath: Members of the Third Estate vowed not to disband until they created a new constitution, signaling the start of defiance against royal authority.


4. The Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789): A symbolic act of revolution where Parisians stormed a royal prison, marking the official beginning of widespread uprising.

Key Events That Mark the Beginning of the Revolution

The early months of 1789 saw a series of events that propelled France into revolutionary chaos and upheaval.

Estates-General and the Formation of the National Assembly

• The Estates-General was called by King Louis XVI to address the fiscal crisis.


• Disagreements over voting procedures (by estate vs. by head) led the Third Estate to break away.


• The Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly, claiming to represent the people of France.

The Tennis Court Oath

• On June 20, 1789, members of the Third Estate gathered in a tennis court after being locked out of their meeting hall.


• They swore not to disband until they drafted a new constitution, asserting their sovereignty.


• This oath was a direct challenge to royal authority and marked a turning point toward republican ideas.

The Storming of the Bastille

• On July 14, 1789, Parisians stormed the Bastille prison to seize weapons and ammunition.


• This event symbolized the overthrow of tyranny and is celebrated annually as France's National Day.


• The fall of the Bastille galvanized revolutionary momentum across France.

The Great Fear and Peasant Uprisings

1. Fears of aristocratic plots and foreign invasion led peasants to revolt against noble privileges.


2. Peasant uprisings resulted in the destruction of manor records and suppression of feudal privileges.


3. These events contributed to the abolition of feudal rights and aristocratic power.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

One of the earliest and most significant documents of the revolution, this declaration laid the foundation for individual rights and sovereignty.

Key Principles of the Declaration

• All men are born free and equal in rights.


• Natural rights include liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.


• Legitimacy of national sovereignty and the importance of a representative government.


• Freedom of speech, religion, and press.

Impact of the Declaration

• Challenged traditional authority and aristocratic privileges.


• Inspired subsequent revolutionary movements worldwide.


• Led to the abolition of feudal privileges and the drafting of a new constitutional framework.

Conclusion: The Beginning of a New Era

The beginning of the French Revolution was characterized by a combination of social unrest, economic crisis, political mismanagement, and the influence of Enlightenment ideas. The initial events—such as the calling of the Estates-General, the formation of the National Assembly, the Tennis Court Oath, and the storming of the Bastille—signaled a decisive shift from absolute monarchy toward a society based on principles of liberty and equality. These early moments set the stage for radical changes in France’s political landscape, ultimately leading to the abolition of the monarchy, the rise of republican ideals, and profound societal transformations.

Understanding these key events and causes provides a comprehensive answer key to the question: When and how did the French Revolution begin? It underscores the importance of social injustices, economic hardship, political discontent, and revolutionary ideals in igniting a period of upheaval that would reshape France and influence the course of history for generations to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

What event marked the beginning of the French Revolution?

The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, is widely considered the event that marked the start of the French Revolution.

Why was the Estates-General called in 1789, and how did it lead to the revolution?

The Estates-General was called to address France's financial crisis, but disagreements over voting procedures led to the formation of the National Assembly and the start of revolutionary actions.

How did the Third Estate contribute to the start of the French Revolution?

The Third Estate, representing commoners, broke away from the Estates-General and proclaimed itself the National Assembly, signaling a challenge to royal authority and initiating revolutionary change.

What role did economic hardship play in sparking the French Revolution?

Widespread economic hardship, including famine, high taxes, and debt, created unrest among the lower classes and fueled demands for political and social reform, contributing to the revolution's outbreak.

How did the declaration of the Tennis Court Oath symbolize the start of revolutionary ideas?

The Tennis Court Oath, where members of the Third Estate vowed not to disband until a new constitution was created, marked a decisive step towards challenging royal authority and establishing revolutionary principles.