Important questions on the French Revolution with one or two-word answers, useful for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, and Railways.

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Causes of the French Revolution

1. In which year did the French Revolution begin? → 1789

2. Who was the king of France during the French Revolution? → Louis XVI

3. Which queen of France was executed during the French Revolution? → Marie Antoinette

4. What was the primary cause of the French Revolution? → Financial Crisis

5. Which estate in France paid all the taxes before the revolution? → Third Estate

6. What was the social system of France before the revolution called? → Ancien Régime

7. How many estates were there in pre-revolutionary France? → Three

8. What was the First Estate composed of? → Clergy

9. What was the Second Estate composed of? → Nobility

10. What was the Third Estate composed of? → Commoners

11. Which economic thinker influenced the French Revolution? → Jean-Jacques Rousseau

12. Who wrote The Social Contract? → Jean-Jacques Rousseau

13. Who wrote The Spirit of the Laws, advocating the separation of powers? → Montesquieu

14. Which philosopher promoted freedom of speech and religious tolerance? → Voltaire

15. Which financial minister of Louis XVI suggested economic reforms? → Jacques Necker

 

 

 

Key Events of the French Revolution

 

16. What was the name of the assembly formed by the Third Estate? → National Assembly

17. What event marked the beginning of the French Revolution? → Storming of the Bastille

18. In which year did the Storming of the Bastille take place? → 1789

19. What was the name of the pledge taken by the Third Estate members? → Tennis Court Oath

20. What was the motto of the French Revolution? → Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

21. What was the name of the document that declared the rights of man? → Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

22. Which king tried to flee from France during the revolution? → Louis XVI

23. What was the name of the period of mass executions during the revolution? → Reign of Terror

24. Who led the Reign of Terror? → Maximilien Robespierre

25. What device was used for executions during the French Revolution? → Guillotine

26. Who was the most famous leader of the Jacobins? → Robespierre

27. What was the name of the radical political club that led the revolution? → Jacobins

28. Who were the moderate revolutionaries who opposed the Jacobins? → Girondins

29. What type of government was established after the monarchy was abolished? → Republic

30. What was the name of the new governing body formed in 1792? → National Convention

 

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Impact and Outcomes

 

31. In which year was King Louis XVI executed? → 1793

32. In which year was Queen Marie Antoinette executed? → 1793

33. What was the name of the period that followed Robespierre’s death? → Thermidorian Reaction

34. Which political body ruled France after the Reign of Terror? → The Directory

35. Who overthrew the Directory and took power in France? → Napoleon Bonaparte

36. In which year did Napoleon stage a coup and take control? → 1799

37. What was the name of Napoleon’s coup? → Coup of 18 Brumaire

38. What was the system of laws introduced by Napoleon called? → Napoleonic Code

39. Which European war was influenced by the French Revolution? → Napoleonic Wars

40. Which class in France benefited the most from the revolution? → Bourgeoisie

41. What was the name of the feudal privileges abolished during the revolution? → Feudal Dues

42. What did the French Revolution inspire in other countries? → Revolutions & Nationalism

43. Which major European congress aimed to restore order after Napoleon? → Congress of Vienna

44. What was the long-term effect of the French Revolution on monarchy? → Decline of Monarchies

 

 

45. What was the economic policy adopted during the Reign of Terror? → Maximum Prices Law

46. Which group opposed the monarchy and called for radical reforms? → Sans-Culottes

47. What was the name of the law that suppressed counter-revolutionaries? → Law of Suspects

48. Which battle ended Napoleon’s rule in 1815? → Battle of Waterloo

49. Who became the ruler of France after Napoleon's fall? → Louis XVIII

50. What type of government did France ultimately adopt in the 19th century? → Republic