Question

Explain and distinguish between the long-term and short-term causes of the French Revolution (p. 563-565).

A) Long-term causes involve immediate triggers of the revolution, while short-term causes involve underlying social and economic factors.

B) Long-term causes are linked to factors that developed over an extended period, while short-term causes are events that led directly to the revolution.

C) Long-term causes are unrelated to the French Revolution, and short-term causes are the sole factors behind it.

D) Long-term and short-term causes have the same implications and were interchangeable during the French Revolution.

Answer 1

The correct answer to the question about the distinction between long-term and short-term causes of the French Revolution is B) Long-term causes are linked to factors that developed over an extended period, while short-term causes are events that led directly to the revolution.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of the French Revolution, long-term causes include various social, economic, and political issues that brewed over time, while short-term causes typically refer to events or crises that directly brought about the revolution. To distinguish between the options provided:

B) Long-term causes are linked to factors that developed over an extended period, while short-term causes are events that led directly to the revolution.

An economic crisis (a) was a significant short-term cause of the French Revolution, as financial ruin and poor harvests led to widespread discontent and hunger among the people. Furthermore, ideologically, the spread of Enlightenment thoughts and increasing resentment against the monarchy and the fixed social hierarchy contributed as long-term causes.