Cause Of The French Revolution Dbq Analysis

CAUSES OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
DBQ
This task is based on the accompanying documents. Some of these documents have been edited for the purpose of this task. This task is designed to test your ability to work with historic documents. As you analyze the documents, take into account both the source of the document and the author’s point of view
Historical Context
The French Revolution of 1789 had many long-range causes. Political, social, and economic conditions in France contributed to the discontent felt by many French people-especially those of the third estate. The ideas of the intellectuals of the Enlightenment brought new views of government and society. The American Revolution also influenced the coming of the French
Revolution.
They were just beginning to learn to read.

Q: What was the result of the middle class’s knowledge of the ideas of the Enlightenment?

Document 5: Lord Acton suggested another point of view.
The condition of France alone did not bring about the overthrow of the monarchy… for the suffering of the people was not greater than they had been before. The ideas of the philosophs were not directly responsible for the outbreak…[but] the spark that changed thought into action was supplied by the Declaration of American Independence… The American example caused the Revolution to break out…

Q: What did Lord Acton believe caused the French revolution?

Document 6: Comte D’Antraigues as quoted in an excerpt form Citizens: A Chronicle of the
French Revolution.

“The Third Estate is the People and the People is the foundation of the State; it is in fact the
State itself; the other estates are merely political categories while by the immutable
(unchangeable) laws of nature the People is everything. Everything should be subordinated
(inferior) to it… It is in the People that all national power resides and for the People that all states exist.”
Q: What doe Comte D’Antraigues see as the rightful role of the Third Estate in
1. Men are born and remain free and equal in rights; social distinctions can be established only for the common benefit.
2. The aim of every political association is the conservation of the imprescriptible rights of man; these rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression….
4. Liberty consists in being able to do anything that does not harm another person..
10. No one may be disturbed because of his opinions, even religious, provided that their public demonstration does not disturb the public order established by law.
11. The free communication of thoughts and opinions is one of the most precious rights of man: every citizen can therefore freely speak, write, print…
16. Any society in which guarantees of rights are not assured nor the separation of powers determined has no constitution.

Q: According to this document, what are the natural rights of man?

ESSAY
What were the most important causes of the French Revolution? (Discuss three.)
Task: Using information from the documents and your knowledge of world history write an essay in which you:
• Explain the causes of the French