Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/591

The French Revolution 449 On the other hand, the Reign of Terror, the depreciated paper currency, 1 and many hasty and unwise laws passed by the Con- vention had produced all sorts of disorder and uncertainty. The Directory did little to better conditions, and it was not until Napoleon's strong hand grasped the helm of government in the year 1800 that order was really restored. QUESTIONS I. What were'Calonne's plans, and why did they fail? How did the Estates General come to be summoned in 1789? What were the chief questions raised in regard to their organization ? What were the cahiers, and upon what main points did they agree? By what process did the Estates General turn into a national assembly ? What were the causes and results of the attack on the Bastille ? What were the chief provi- sions of the decree abolishing the feudal system? Give an account of the Declaration of the Rights of Man. Under what conditions was the National Assembly moved to Paris ? What were the reforms made in the French Church? What immediate results did they have on the course of the Revolution ? II. Who were the emigrant nobles, and what was their plan ? What were the results of the king's attempted flight in June, 1791? What was the Declaration of Pillnitz ? Who were the Jacobins ? What vari- ous kinds of matter do we find in a modern newspaper? What meas- ures were taken against the emigrant nobles and the nonjuring clergy? Why did the Legislative Assembly declare war on Austria ? III. How was the First French Republic established ? Do you see any good reasons for the execution of Louis XVI? Why did France declare war on England? With what European powers was France at war by the spring of 1793? IV. What was the need of a Committee of Public Safety ? Who were the Girondists ? the Mountain ? What led to civil war in France, and what was the outcome of it? What do you understand by the Reign of Terror ? Can you give any justification of the harsh measures taken by the Convention and its committees ? What were Robespierre's views? What were the reasons for his fall? Describe the constitu- tion of the Year Three. Review the chief acts of the Convention. 1 See page 437 n. There were about forty billions of francs in assignats in circulation at the opening of 1796. At that time it required nearly three hundred francs in paper money to procure one in specie.