Test: French Revolution - UPSC MCQ

The main cause of the French Revolution was the severe economic inequality that existed in France during the 18th century. The majority of the population, especially the peasants, faced extreme poverty and were burdened with heavy taxes, while the nobility and clergy enjoyed significant privileges and exemptions.

The French Revolution began on July 14, 1789, with the Storming of the Bastille, a notorious prison in Paris. This event symbolized the people's uprising against the monarchy and sparked a wave of revolution across France.

Maximilien Robespierre was a key figure in the French Revolution and a leading member of the Committee of Public Safety. He played a significant role in the Reign of Terror, a period marked by widespread political repression and executions of perceived enemies of the revolution.

The slogan "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" was associated with the National Assembly phase of the French Revolution. The National Assembly was formed by the Third Estate (common people) when they broke away from the Estates-General to draft a new constitution and create a more democratic system.

King Louis XVI's attempt to flee the country with his family, known as the Flight to Varennes, severely damaged his credibility and trust among the people. This event further fueled the revolutionary sentiment and eventually led to his execution.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, adopted by the National Assembly in 1789, proclaimed the end of the absolute monarchy and asserted the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity for all citizens.

The Committee of Public Safety, led by Maximilien Robespierre, was established during the Reign of Terror to protect the gains of the revolution and eliminate internal and external threats to the revolution. They wielded extensive powers and were responsible for executing perceived enemies of the revolution.

The Reign of Terror ended with the execution of Maximilien Robespierre in July 1794. As the key figure behind the Reign of Terror, his downfall marked the decline of the radical phase of the revolution.

Austria, along with Prussia, intervened in the early stages of the French Revolution with the aim of restoring the absolute monarchy and suppressing revolutionary movements. Their actions further radicalized the French revolutionaries.

The Thermidorian Reaction, which took place after the fall of Robespierre, marked a period of political realignment. It saw the rise of moderate forces and led to the emergence of Napoleon Bonaparte, who eventually seized power and established himself as the ruler of France, ending the revolutionary period.