- 1. The Coming Of The French Revolution by Georges Lefebvre is a seminal work that delves into the intricate socio-political landscape of France during the late 18th century, a period marked by profound upheaval and change. Lefebvre meticulously examines the tensions between the monarchy, the burgeoning bourgeoisie, and the peasantry, highlighting the economic disparities and the growing discontent among the lower classes that eventually led to the eruption of revolution in 1789. His analysis offers a perspective not just on the events leading to the revolution, but on the ideological currents that shaped the aspirations of the revolutionaries. By exploring the role of Enlightenment thought, popular uprisings, and the influence of various political factions, Lefebvre provides a comprehensive overview of how a confluence of factors — economic strife, social injustice, and enlightened ideals — culminated in a dramatic reshaping of French society. The book serves as both a historical account and a deep theoretical examination, making it a crucial resource for understanding the complexities and the motivations behind one of history's most significant turning points.
What year does Georges Lefebvre identify as the start of the French Revolution?
A) 1815
B) 1789
C) 1776
D) 1793
- 2. What event does Lefebvre describe as the first act of the French Revolution?
A) The Storming of the Bastille
B) The execution of Louis XVI
C) The Women's March on Versailles
D) The convening of the Estates-General
- 3. Lefebvre characterizes the peasant revolts of 1789 as what?
A) The September Massacres
B) The Jacquerie
C) The Great Fear
D) The White Terror
- 4. What pivotal action did the Third Estate take on June 20, 1789?
A) The Tennis Court Oath
B) The Storming of the Bastille
C) The abolition of feudalism
D) The Declaration of the Rights of Man
- 5. Lefebvre argues the financial crisis of the monarchy was exacerbated by France's support for which conflict?
A) The Napoleonic Wars
B) The War of Austrian Succession
C) The Seven Years' War
D) The American Revolution
- 6. Lefebvre's interpretation is often categorized as what type of historical analysis?
A) Conservative
B) Postmodern
C) Marxist
D) Psychoanalytic
- 7. How does Lefebvre characterize King Louis XVI's role in the early revolution?
A) Completely unaware of events
B) A radical reformer
C) A brilliant strategist
D) Indecisive and weak
- 8. What document, according to Lefebvre, embodied the revolutionary ideals of 1789?
A) The Code Napoleon
B) The Constitution of 1791
C) The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
D) The Civil Constitution of the Clergy
- 9. Lefebvre argues that the revolution spread from Paris to the countryside through what mechanism?
A) Rumors and panic
B) Organized military campaigns
C) Royal proclamations
D) Foreign invasion
- 10. Lefebvre sees the Civil Constitution of the Clergy as creating what major division?
A) Between France and England
B) Between Paris and the provinces
C) Between revolutionary and counter-revolutionary forces
D) Between bourgeoisie and peasants
- 11. Lefebvre describes the revolution as having how many distinct phases?
A) Two
B) Five
C) Three
D) Four
- 12. How does Lefebvre characterize the Enlightenment's influence on the revolution?
A) Directly caused the revolution
B) Was opposed by all revolutionaries
C) Had no significant influence
D) Provided ideological justification
- 13. What was the 'cahiers de doléances' according to Lefebvre?
A) Lists of grievances from the Estates
B) Revolutionary newspapers
C) Secret police reports
D) Royal decrees
- 14. What does Lefebvre identify as the main achievement of the 1789 phase?
A) Destruction of the feudal system
B) Establishment of a communist state
C) Restoration of absolute monarchy
D) Creation of a European empire
- 15. The Estates-General was summoned for the first time since when?
A) 1648
B) 1701
C) 1756
D) 1614
- 16. According to Lefebvre, which estate bore the heaviest tax burden before the revolution?
A) The Second Estate
B) The Third Estate
C) The Fourth Estate
D) The First Estate
- 17. What was the name of the legislative body formed by the Third Estate in June 1789?
A) Parliament of Paris
B) Committee of Public Safety
C) National Assembly
D) Estates-General
- 18. What oath did delegates of the Third Estate take in a tennis court?
A) To establish a republic
B) To overthrow the monarchy
C) To execute the king
D) Not to disband until a constitution was written
- 19. Which king was on the throne when the revolution began?
A) Louis XV
B) Louis XIV
C) Charles X
D) Louis XVI
- 20. The 'aristocratic revolution' refers to the nobility's resistance to whom?
A) Foreign powers
B) The peasants
C) The monarchy
D) The Church
- 21. What was the main grievance of the Third Estate regarding voting in the Estates-General?
A) Secret ballots
B) Lack of universal suffrage
C) Women's exclusion
D) Voting by order rather than by head
- 22. Lefebvre's analysis gives particular importance to developments in which century?
A) 19th century
B) 17th century
C) 18th century
D) 16th century
- 23. What was the name given to French nobles who fled the country during the revolution?
A) Jacobins
B) Sans-culottes
C) Émigrés
D) Girondins
- 24. Which group does Lefebvre identify as providing popular revolutionary energy in Paris?
A) Jacobins
B) Royalists
C) Girondins
D) Sans-culottes
- 25. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1790) sought to reform which institution?
A) The Catholic Church
B) The monarchy
C) The judiciary
D) The army
- 26. Lefebvre's work was first published in what year?
A) 1917
B) 1968
C) 1939
D) 1789
- 27. According to Lefebvre, what undermined the Old Regime's legitimacy?
A) Enlightenment ideas
B) Economic prosperity
C) Military defeats
D) Foreign influence
- 28. Lefebvre emphasizes the importance of what economic factor?
A) Trade tariffs
B) Industrial output
C) Bread prices
D) Gold reserves
- 29. Lefebvre argues the Revolution was fundamentally about what?
A) Personality conflicts
B) Religious reformation
C) Class conflict
D) Territorial expansion
- 30. Which minister's reforms preceded the Revolution?
A) Necker
B) Richelieu
C) Mazarin
D) Colbert
- 31. Lefebvre sees the Revolution as beginning with what?
A) Popular uprising
B) Foreign invasion
C) Aristocratic revolt
D) Royal decree
- 32. Lefebvre's analysis emphasizes which social group as crucial revolutionary actors?
A) The urban proletariat
B) The peasantry
C) The clergy
D) The industrial bourgeoisie
- 33. Which estate does Lefebvre identify as initiating the revolutionary process in 1787-88?
A) The aristocracy
B) The bourgeoisie
C) The peasantry
D) The urban workers
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