Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

What social class primarily led the charge in the French Revolution?

1. The nobility

2. The bourgeoisie

3. The clergy

4. The peasantry

The correct answer is: The bourgeoisie

The bourgeoisie played a crucial role in the French Revolution, primarily because they were the educated and financially capable middle class who sought greater political power and social influence. This group included merchants, industrialists, and professionals who were frustrated with the existing feudal system that favored the nobility and clergy. They were inspired by Enlightenment ideas that emphasized liberty, equality, and fraternity, which resonated with their aspirations for a more just society. As the Revolution unfolded, the bourgeoisie took the lead in organizing various revolutionary activities and advocating for change, including the formation of the National Assembly and the declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Their increasing dissatisfaction with the political landscape, particularly the privileges enjoyed by the nobility and the clergy, fueled their demand for a new order that reflected their values and economic interests, ultimately making them the driving force behind the Revolution. In contrast, the nobility and clergy generally sought to preserve the existing social hierarchy and were often resistant to the revolutionary changes that threatened their privileges. While the peasantry participated in the Revolution and were affected by its outcomes, they were largely driven by immediate concerns such as famine and heavy taxation rather than a unified political agenda tied to Enlightenment ideals.