Question 1

define the following term:
-the Constitution of 1789

Accepted Answer

The Constitution of 1789, also known as the United States Constitution, is the supreme law of the United States of America. It was created during the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and was ratified by the states in 1788. The Constitution established the framework for the federal government, outlining the separation of powers between the three branches - the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. It also delineates the powers and responsibilities of each branch, as well as the rights and freedoms of the American people.

The Constitution of 1789 is a living document that has been amended 27 times, with the first ten amendments known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments guarantee fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as the right to bear arms, the right to a fair trial, and protection against cruel and unusual punishment.

The Constitution of 1789 has been a model for many other countries' constitutions and has played a crucial role in shaping the principles of democracy and the rule of law around the world. It continues to be the foundation of the American legal system and the cornerstone of the country's political and social institutions.

Question 2

What factors help to explain the Reign of Terror? Was the "terror" justified or did it demonstrate the excesses of revolutionary fervor?

Accepted Answer

The Reign of Terror was a period during the French Revolution from 1793 to 1794, characterized by mass executions and violence carried out by the revolutionary government. Several factors help to explain the Reign of Terror, including the threat of counter-revolutionary forces, internal divisions within the revolutionary government, and the desire to maintain control and power.

The threat of counter-revolutionary forces, both within France and from foreign powers, led to a sense of paranoia and fear among the revolutionary leaders. This fear fueled the belief that extreme measures, such as mass executions, were necessary to protect the revolution and ensure its survival.

Internal divisions within the revolutionary government also played a role in the Reign of Terror. Different factions vied for power and influence, leading to a climate of suspicion and distrust. This atmosphere contributed to the use of violence and repression as a means of maintaining control and eliminating perceived threats.

The desire to maintain control and power also drove the Reign of Terror. The revolutionary leaders sought to consolidate their authority and eliminate any opposition, leading to the use of terror as a tool to suppress dissent and maintain their grip on power.

The "terror" of the Reign of Terror was not justified and demonstrated the excesses of revolutionary fervor. While the revolution sought to bring about positive change and greater equality, the use of mass executions and violence went against the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity that the revolution espoused. The Reign of Terror led to widespread fear and suffering, and ultimately undermined the ideals of the revolution.

In conclusion, the Reign of Terror was driven by a combination of factors, including the threat of counter-revolutionary forces, internal divisions within the revolutionary government, and the desire to maintain control and power. However, the "terror" was not justified and instead demonstrated the excesses of revolutionary fervor, leading to widespread violence and repression that went against the principles of the revolution.

Question 3

What events led to the formation of the National Assembly?

Accepted Answer

The formation of the National Assembly in France in 1789 was a pivotal event in the French Revolution and was the result of a series of economic, social, and political factors that had been building up over the preceding decades. Here are the key events and conditions that led to the creation of the National Assembly:

1. Financial Crisis: By the late 18th century, France was facing a severe financial crisis due to its involvement in costly wars, including the American Revolutionary War, and extravagant spending by the monarchy. The government was deeply in debt and struggled to raise taxes due to the existing tax structure, which largely exempted the nobility and the clergy.

2. Taxation and the Estates-General: To address the financial crisis, King Louis XVI was advised to call a meeting of the Estates-General, an assembly representing the three traditional estates of the realm: the clergy (First Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), and the commoners (Third Estate). The last time the Estates-General had been convened was in 1614.

3. Disputes over Representation: The Third Estate, representing the vast majority of the French population, demanded more representation and voting power in the Estates-General, as they were typically outvoted by the combined First and Second Estates. The king initially rejected these demands, leading to further discontent.

4. The Tennis Court Oath: On June 17, 1789, after being locked out of their meeting hall, members of the Third Estate gathered at a nearby indoor tennis court. There, they declared themselves the National Assembly, a body representing the people of France rather than the traditional estates. They took the Tennis Court Oath, vowing not to disband until they had drafted a new constitution for France.

5. Support from Some Members of the First and Second Estates: The National Assembly gained additional legitimacy when some members of the clergy and the nobility broke ranks and joined the Third Estate in the Assembly, recognizing the need for reform and the changing political landscape.

6. The Storming of the Bastille: On July 14, 1789, the storming of the Bastille, a fortress-prison in Paris, occurred. This event, which became a symbol of the revolution, demonstrated the popular support for the changes the National Assembly sought to implement and highlighted the inability of the monarchy to control the situation.

7. The King's Recognition: Faced with the growing power of the National Assembly and widespread unrest, King Louis XVI had little choice but to recognize the National Assembly. This marked a significant transfer of authority from the absolute monarchy to a representative body.

The formation of the National Assembly was a key step in the French Revolution, as it represented a shift towards a more democratic form of governance and the assertion of popular sovereignty. It set the stage for the subsequent abolition of feudal privileges, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, and the eventual downfall of the monarchy.

Question 4

define the following term:
-George Washington

Accepted Answer

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-George Washington...

Question 5

Was the American War of Independence truly revolutionary? Explain.

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Question 6

define the following term:
-the Bastille

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-the Bastille...

Question 7

define the following term:
-July 4, 1776

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-July 4, 1776...

Question 8

How did the Committee of Public Safety respond to the threat of foreign invasion?

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Question 9

What conditions facilitated Napoleon's rise to power?

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Question 10

What led to the fall of Robespierre and the rise of the Directory?

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Question 11

How did the French revolutionary government deal with the issue of slavery?

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Question 12

What were the most important weaknesses of Napoleon's empire?

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Question 13

define the following term:
-Yorktown

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-Yorktown...

Question 14

In what ways did Napoleon's policies repudiate the accomplishments of the French Revolution? In what ways did his policies strengthen the accomplishments of the French Revolution?

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Question 15

What role did nationalism play in the fall of Napoleon?

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Question 16

define the following term:
-Bill of Rights

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-Bill of Rights...

Question 17

define the following term:
-natural rights

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-natural rights...

Question 18

What were the long-term causes of the French Revolution? Was the revolution inevitable? Could it have been avoided? Explain.

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Question 19

define the following term:
-old order

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-old order...

Question 20

How did Louis XVI respond to the revolutionary challenges to the Old Regime?

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Quiz 7: A Revolution in Politics: the Era of the French Revolution and Napoleon

define the following term: -the Constitution of 1789

What factors help to explain the Reign of Terror? Was the "terror" justified or did it demonstrate the excesses of revolutionary fervor?

What events led to the formation of the National Assembly?

define the following term: -George Washington

Was the American War of Independence truly revolutionary? Explain.

define the following term: -the Bastille

define the following term: -July 4, 1776

How did the Committee of Public Safety respond to the threat of foreign invasion?

What conditions facilitated Napoleon's rise to power?

What led to the fall of Robespierre and the rise of the Directory?

How did the French revolutionary government deal with the issue of slavery?

What were the most important weaknesses of Napoleon's empire?

define the following term: -Yorktown

In what ways did Napoleon's policies repudiate the accomplishments of the French Revolution? In what ways did his policies strengthen the accomplishments of the French Revolution?

What role did nationalism play in the fall of Napoleon?

define the following term: -Bill of Rights

define the following term: -natural rights

What were the long-term causes of the French Revolution? Was the revolution inevitable? Could it have been avoided? Explain.

define the following term: -old order

How did Louis XVI respond to the revolutionary challenges to the Old Regime?