preview

What Are The Four Main Causes Of The French Revolution

Decent Essays

Chapter 23 Questions 1. What are the four main causes of the French Revolution discussed on pages 652-653 in your text? In your opinion, which cause was the main reason for the revolution? Why did you pick this cause? Response to Question 1.1 : Two of the estates had privileges, including access to high offices and exemptions from paying taxes, that were not granted to the members of the third. This caused growing resentment among the lower classes. New philosophies about government helped create a desire for change. Awed by the success of the American Revolution, Members of the Third Estate started inquiring age-old concepts about the structure of society. Quoting Rousseau and Voltaire, they began to demand equality, liberty, and …show more content…

Response to Question 1.3 : Wild rumors passed from town to town, village to village that the nobles were appointing outlaws to terrify the peasants. This caused a panic called the Great Fear across France. The peasants armed with pitch forks and other farm tools soon turn out to be outlaws themselves. They supported this movement and the nobles were targeted by them. Breaking into nobles’ manor houses, they demolished the old legal papers that assured them to pay outdated charges. At times, the peasants would burn down the manor house. Chapter 23, Section 2: 1. How did the slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" sum up the goals of the Revolution? Response to Question 2.1 : National Assembly accepted a declaration of revolutionary principles, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. This document specified rights that included rights to security, property, liberty, resistance to unjust treatment and assured citizens freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and equal justice. Thus the slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" was adopted by revolutionary leaders. Liberty stood for individual freedom from governmental restrictions and intrusion. Equality stood for one law and one tax system for everyone, equal opportunity to advance based on merit, and political equality. Fraternity is the idea of brotherhood of all Frenchmen. 2. What major reforms did the National Assembly introduce? Response to Question 2.2 : The National

Get Access