Historical Context
The French Revolution of 1789 had many long-range causes. Political, social, and economic conditions in
France contributed to the discontent (unhappiness) felt by many French people, especially those of the Third
Estate. In addition, new ideas about the role of government and rights of citizens caused people to question and challenge the status quo.
 Step 1: Study each document and answer the corresponding questions ( remember to include extracts/examples from the source in your answer ).
 Step 2: Check the box of the proper category/categories of causes.
 Step 3: Hypothesize causes and answer the DBQ Prompt – What caused the French Revolution?
Document A
1.
What kind of a ruler was Louis XVI?
2.
Why might the people of France be angry with King Louis XVI?
Documents B, C, & D
3.
Which estate had the most people? Which estate(s) had a greater percentage of land than people? Which estate paid the highest percentage of income for taxes?
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Political
Economic
Cultural
Political
Economic
Cultural
4.
List three observations the traveler made in Document D about the life of the peasant in France between 1787 and 1789:
5.
Do these sources explain why poor people in France resented the rich? Explain your answer using the sources.

Document E
6.
Who is being depicted in the political cartoon?
7.
Identify some symbols used by the cartoonist and their possible meaning.
8.
What message is the cartoonist trying to portray and whose perspective is it from?
Document F
9.
Rousseau was an influential writer at this time. Along with other writers like
Voltaire, he wanted France to have a more democratic form of government. Who would be most influenced by his words and why?
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10.
The pamphlet which Document F came from was banned in 1775. Why do you think this was?
Which members of French society would want it to be banned?
Document G
11.
According to the author, what is the status of the Third Estate in the political order
12.
What is author’s goal in writing the pamphlet, “What is the Third Estate?” of France in 1789?
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Political
Economic
Cultural
Political
Economic
Cultural
Political
Economic
Cultural

Document H
13.
According to
Document I
14.
Compare the urban commoner’s budget to the king’s budget. What do they have in common?
15.
What do the budgets suggest about the state of financial affairs in France in 1789?
Document J
16.
What three changes did the Third Estate demand be made in the French government?
17.
Why is it significant that the king rejected these demands?
Document K
18.
According to this document, what are the natural rights of man?
Document H , what were the problems faced by the French on the eve of the French Revolution? List & describe at least 5.
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Political
Economic
Cultural
 Political
 Economic
 Cultural
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19.
How might a belief in these ideas lead the French to start a Revolution against their king?
Political
Economic
Cultural
Political
Economic
Cultural

20.
Given Documents A-K,
Political Causes:
Economic Causes:
Cultural/Social Causes:
hypothesize on the widespread causes of the French Revolution:
CONCLUSION: Write a thesis statement to answer the question - What caused the French Revolution?
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