Question

multiple choice
directions: circle the answer that best responds to each question

1. the bourgeoisie lacked the privileges of the _, such as exemption from paying taxes, and believed they

should have more political power on account of their economic support of the government.
a. bankers
b. farmers
c. nobles
d. merchants

1. which of the following events that occurred during the 1780s affected the poor living in frances cities?

a. politicians who were elected to government wanted to raise taxes.
b. a series of bad harvests caused the price of bread to rise significantly.
c. revolutionaries published pamphlets calling for the execution of the king.
d. a series of cholera epidemics caused by contaminated water supplies killed thousands.

Explanation:

For question 31:

• The bourgeoisie (middle - class) in France before the revolution compared themselves to the nobles. Nobles had privileges like tax exemption. Bankers and merchants are part of the bourgeoisie, and farmers were a different class (peasants).

For question 32:

• A series of bad harvests (B) would directly affect the price of bread (a staple food). Since the poor in cities relied on buying bread, a significant rise in its price would impact them. Politicians wanting to raise taxes (A) is more of a political decision not directly related to the poor's immediate living in terms of food. Revolutionaries' pamphlets (C) are more about political ideology and not an immediate cause for the poor's living conditions. Cholera epidemics (D) - while tragic - were not a major event in the 1780s in the context of the French Revolution's lead - up as described.

Answer:

1. C. nobles
2. B. A series of bad harvests caused the price of bread to rise significantly.