Topical

FRENCH REVOLUTION

2015 Specimen Paper

(a) Explain the aims of the revolutionaries in France in 1789. [10]

(b) How important was Louis XVI personally for the rise of Robespierre and the Jacobins? [20]

Emigres suppercounter
2015 May/June (21) rebels Rer
changeinregime
(a) Why did France go to war in 1792? [10] of nationalconvention

(b) How successfully did Napoleon govern France between 1799 and 1804? [20]

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2015 May/June (22) at
arrest TuileriesPalace
House

(a) Account for the fall of Robespierre and the Jacobins. [10]

(b) To what extent was Louis XVI responsible for his own downfall? [20]

2015 May/June (23)

(a) Why did Louis XVI attempt to flee from France in 1791? [10]

(b) ‘Political instability in France between 1789 and 1795 was caused by economic problems.’
How far do you agree with this view? [20]

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2015 Oct/Nov (21) Continuing problems
economic
Manipulation ofreligion
(a) Why did the Directory come to power in France? [10]
Reinforcing revolutionary
ideas
(b) How far would you agree that Louis XVI was responsible for the political crises between
1789 and 1793? [20]

people supported
themove
Armysupport propaganda
2015 Oct/Nov (22)
Popularmove
M personalambition hereditary
(a) Why did Napoleon become Emperor in 1804? [10] Internationalrecognition emperor
title
(b) ‘It provided effective government for France.’ Assess this view of the Directory. [20]

2015 Oct/Nov (23) reignofterror lechofsadism intgisidons

(a) Account for the failure of the counter-revolutionaries in France between 1789 and 1795. [10]

(b) To what extent was Napoleon’s military ability the main reason for his rise to power by
1799? [20]

2016 May/June (21)

failure of the directory
Support
ofSieges Director
supportof
(a) Why was Napoleon able to become First Consul? [10] army propaganda
Personalambition
(b) To what extent were Robespierre and the Jacobins responsible for the political instability in
popularity
France between 1789 and 1795? [20]
retiond
hero
 2016 May/June (22)

(a) Why did the Jacobins oppose Louis XVI? [10] or aimsoftherevolutionaries
(b) To what extent did the Directory ‘abandon the revolution’? [20]

2016 May/June (23)

(a) Why was the Directory established in 1795? [10]

(b) ‘It was caused by taxes.’ How far do you agree with this view of the French Revolution?
[20]

2016 Oct/Nov (21)

aims butmorerecent specific
specific (a) Why was the Estates General called in 1789? [10]
question
(b) ‘A great reformer’. How far do you agree with this view of Napoleon? [20]

2016 Oct/Nov (22)

(a) Explain why there were many coups in France between 1795 and 1799. [10]

(b) ‘Hunger was the main cause of political instability between 1789 and 1795.’ How far do you
agree? [20]

2016 Oct/Nov (23)

(a) Why did the flight to Varennes provoke such a strong reaction? [10]

Iiiiiiiiiiii
Fearofforeigninvasion
Realisation louistrueintentionseat support
of radicals y
by
Reaction manufactured
(b) ‘Bringing stability to France was Napoleon’s greatest domestic achievement.’ How far do
you agree? [20]

2017 May/June (21) reignofterror

Continuingeconomic problems
(a) Why did the Jacobins fail to retain power? [10] political instability
Religious reasons
(b) ‘The failings of the Directory explain Napoleon’s rise to power.’ How far do you agree? [20]
Divisions b w theconvention

2017 May/June (22)

Gone
forfromrevolutionary
ideals
centralisation power inFrance
(a) Why was the Code Napoleon introduced? [10] of
uniformity of laws
Judicial reforms
(b) Assess the reasons why France was no longer a constitutional monarchy by 1793. [20]
Enlightenmentideas clarity of rules regulations
efficientsystem popularitystint
Class
increasing concerns regarding empower themiddle
2017 May/June (23)
lechof equalitybeforeethen
(a) Why did the aims of the French revolutionaries change in the period from 1789 to 1793? [10]

(b) ‘Napoleon remained in power because he was not a revolutionary.’ How far do you agree?
[20] Failure of'intiitchy stormingof Bastille
Srefowelisting
Flight tovarennes confiningeco social political
Threat offoreignwar problemI
2017 Oct/Nov (21)
Radicalisation
ofsectiont
(a) Why was Napoleon popular with the French people? [10]

(b) ‘Social and economic factors provide the best explanation for government instability
between 1789 and 1795.’ How far do you agree? [20]
2017 Oct/Nov (22)

(a) Why did the Directory fail? [10]

(b) ‘Internal divisions were the main reason why the counter-revolutionaries failed between
1789 and 1795.’ How far do you agree? [20]

Ijittigontosility
internet confer fer
2017 Oct/Nov (23) s suppress

(a) Why was there a ‘terror’ in France between 1792 and 1794? [10]
Robespierre
Sons allots
(b) ‘An enlightened Dictator.’ Assess this view of Napoleon. [20]
realisation power
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juries september massacre consolidation power
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2018 May/June (21)
for whydid aimsof reviluturies dye
(a) Why was there increasing hostility towards the King from 1789 to 1793? [10]

(b) To what extent did Napoleon’s reforms maintain the principles of the Revolution? [20]

2018 May/June (22)

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(a) Why was Louis XVI unwilling to accept a constitutional monarchy? [10]

(b) To what extent was Napoleon a dictator? [20]

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execution
ofhing
2018 May/June (23) revolutionaries
redialisetin
p
(a) Why was a Republic created in 1792? [10]

(b) To what extent was maintaining order Napoleon’s principal domestic aim? [20]
 internaldivisions
2018 Oct/Nov (21)
Thy Jacobins ending some
(a) Why did the Terror come to an end in 1794? [10]

(b) ‘The aims of the Revolution had been achieved by the end of 1791.’ How far do you agree?
[20]

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Spores
2018 Oct/Nov (22)
III at
her as any
(a) Why did the Directory survive for four years? [10]
soo d along
(b) To what extent was lower-class unrest the driving force of the Revolution from 1789 to
1794? [20]

2018 Oct/Nov (23)

(a) Why did Napoleon face so little opposition to his rule in France? [10]

(b) ‘The Directory successfully restored order to France.’ How far do you agree? [20]

2019 May/June (21)

(a) Why was the Tennis Court Oath taken? [10]

(b) Analyse the reasons why Napoleon was popular with the French people. [20]
2019 May/June (22)

(a) Why was the Bastille stormed? [10]

(b) Which better describes the period of the Directory: ‘revolutionary chaos’ or ‘a period of real
achievement’? [20]

2019 May/June (23)

(a) Why was the National Assembly formed? [10]

(b) Assess the reasons why Napoleon was able to bring stability to France. [20]
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inexperienced
constitutional
2019 Oct/Nov (21) Nodeerleadership monarchy
Abolishing
(a) Why were so many hingis
eatingproblems monarchy
reforms passed by the Legislative Assembly in 1791 and 1792? [10]
(b) ‘He was a successful and popular general.’ To what extent does this explain why Napoleon
was able to retain power? [20] foreigninvasion
Theperil mobs radical mangethemob worethe
legislation
Continuing socioeconomicproblems
2019 Oct/Nov (22) agreeting
policy
(a) Why was there no successful counter-revolution in France between 1789 and 1799? [10]
meling nor
(b) How far had the ideals of ‘liberty, equality and fraternity’ been established in France by the needed
end of 1792? [20]

2019 Oct/Nov (23)

Napoleone
Howdid to power
(a) Why was the Brumaire coup d’état successful? [10]
(b) To what extent were French government and society reformed by the end of 1791? [20]
 Topical
FRENCH REVOLUTION

2015 Specimen Paper

(a) Explain the aims of the revolutionaries in France in 1789. [10]

(b) How important was Louis XVI personally for the rise of Robespierre and the Jacobins? [20]

2015 May/June (21)

(a) Why did France go to war in 1792? [10]

(b) How successfully did Napoleon govern France between 1799 and 1804? [20]
Agree Disagree
Reintroduced church
Ironfistmilitary Theworking class peasants didnot
Reforms
2015 May/June (22) Foreignvictories benefit
Propaganda oppositioncrushed

(a) Account for the fall of Robespierre and the Jacobins. [10] Unions banned

(b) To what extent was Louis XVI responsible for his own downfall? [20]

2015 May/June (23)

(a) Why did Louis XVI attempt to flee from France in 1791? [10]

(b) ‘Political instability in France between 1789 and 1795 was caused by economic problems.’
How far do you agree with this view? [20]

Disagree
Louis XVI responsible font s Economic
Revolutionaries
2015 Oct/Nov (21)

(a) Why did the Directory come to power in France? [10]

(b) How far would you agree that Louis XVI was responsible for the political crises between
1789 and 1793? [20]
Safe

2015 Oct/Nov (22)

(a) Why did Napoleon become Emperor in 1804? [10]

(b) ‘It provided effective government for France.’ Assess this view of the Directory. [20]

2015 Oct/Nov (23)

(a) Account for the failure of the counter-revolutionaries in France between 1789 and 1795. [10]

(b) To what extent was Napoleon’s military ability the main reason for his rise to power by
1799? [20]
EI

2016 May/June (21)

(a) Why was Napoleon able to become First Consul? [10]

(b) To what extent were Robespierre and the Jacobins responsible for the political instability in
France between 1789 and 1795? [20]
of

2016 May/June (22)

diagram
(a) Why did the Jacobins oppose Louis XVI? [10] directing

(b) To what extent did the Directory ‘abandon the revolution’? [20]

Agree Confer
crushedinternal opposition Themostdemocratic
Goodtaction
Separation
failed
ofpower winning wars
Allsocioecoproblems remind
 Ignored elections
Poor public services
Corrupt

2016 May/June (23)

(a) Why was the Directory established in 1795? [10] his desperate
(b) ‘It was caused by taxes.’ How far do you agree with this view of the French Revolution?
[20] economic differentconseepones
ofthis implication
was
2016 Oct/Nov (21)
representation
(a) Why was the Estates General called in 1789? [10]

(b) ‘A great reformer’. How far do you agree with this view of Napoleon? [20]

2016 Oct/Nov (22)

(a) Explain why there were many coups in France between 1795 and 1799. [10]

(b) ‘Hunger was the main cause of political instability between 1789 and 1795.’ How far do you
agree? [20]

2016 Oct/Nov (23)

(a) Why did the flight to Varennes provoke such a strong reaction? [10]

(b) ‘Bringing stability to France was Napoleon’s greatest domestic achievement.’ How far do
you agree? [20]

2017 May/June (21)

(a) Why did the Jacobins fail to retain power? [10]

(b) ‘The failings of the Directory explain Napoleon’s rise to power.’ How far do you agree? [20]
2017 May/June (22)

(a) Why was the Code Napoleon introduced? [10]

(b) Assess the reasons why France was no longer a constitutional monarchy by 1793. [20]

2017 May/June (23)

(a) Why did the aims of the French revolutionaries change in the period from 1789 to 1793? [10]

(b) ‘Napoleon remained in power because he was not a revolutionary.’ How far do you agree?
[20]

2017 Oct/Nov (21)

(a) Why was Napoleon popular with the French people? [10]

(b) ‘Social and economic factors provide the best explanation for government instability
between 1789 and 1795.’ How far do you agree? [20]

2017 Oct/Nov (22)

(a) Why did the Directory fail? [10]

(b) ‘Internal divisions were the main reason why the counter-revolutionaries failed between
1789 and 1795.’ How far do you agree? [20]

2017 Oct/Nov (23)

(a) Why was there a ‘terror’ in France between 1792 and 1794? [10]

(b) ‘An enlightened Dictator.’ Assess this view of Napoleon. [20]

2018 May/June (21)

(a) Why was there increasing hostility towards the King from 1789 to 1793? [10]

(b) To what extent did Napoleon’s reforms maintain the principles of the Revolution? [20]

2018 May/June (22)

(a) Why was Louis XVI unwilling to accept a constitutional monarchy? [10]

(b) To what extent was Napoleon a dictator? [20]

2018 May/June (23)

(a) Why was a Republic created in 1792? [10]

(b) To what extent was maintaining order Napoleon’s principal domestic aim? [20]

2018 Oct/Nov (21)

Constitutional
(a) Why did the Terror come to an end in 1794? [10]
Monarchy
(b) ‘The aims of the Revolution had been achieved by the end of 1791.’ How far do you agree?
[20]

2018 Oct/Nov (22)

(a) Why did the Directory survive for four years? [10]

(b) To what extent was lower-class unrest the driving force of the Revolution from 1789 to
1794? [20]
 2018 Oct/Nov (23)

(a) Why did Napoleon face so little opposition to his rule in France? [10]

(b) ‘The Directory successfully restored order to France.’ How far do you agree? [20]

2019 May/June (21)

(a) Why was the Tennis Court Oath taken? [10]
(b) Analyse the reasons why Napoleon was popular with the French people. [20]
stuff
2019 May/June (22) Intro thesis
E tastes
5 6 reasons
(a) Why was the Bastille stormed? [10]
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(b) Which better describes the period of the Directory:counter
No ‘revolutionary chaos’ or ‘a period of real
achievement’? [20]

for 2019 May/June (23)

either

(a) Why was the National Assembly formed? [10]

Égainst
(b) Assess the reasons why Napoleon was able to bring stability to France. [20]

2019 Oct/Nov (21)

(a) Why were so many reforms passed by the Legislative Assembly in 1791 and 1792? [10]
(b) ‘He was a successful and popular general.’ To what extent does this explain why Napoleon
was able to retain power? [20]

Assess the stent howfed some quit

for against
2019 Oct/Nov (22)

(a) Why was there no successful counter-revolution in France between 1789 and 1799? [10]
(b) How far had the ideals of ‘liberty, equality and fraternity’ been established in France by the
end of 1792? [20]

2019 Oct/Nov (23)

(a) Why was the Brumaire coup d’état successful? [10]

(b) To what extent were French government and society reformed by the end of 1791? [20]

2020 May/June (21)

(a) Why did Louis XVI oppose demands for reform in 1789? [10]
(b) ‘The counter-revolutionaries failed through poor leadership.’ How far do you agree? [20]

2020 May/June (22)

(a) Why did a counter-revolutionary movement emerge after 1789? [10]
(b) To what extent did foreign wars affect the course of the French Revolution prior to 1799?
[20]

2020 May/June (23) reasonfor dimini

(a) Why were political clubs, such as the Jacobins, set up during the Revolution? [10]
(b) ‘Effective propaganda was the main reason why Napoleon remained in power for so
long.’How far do you agree? [20]

2020 Oct/Nov (21)

Hoc did Napoleon one to
(a) Why was Napoleon able to overthrow the Directory? [10] pour
(b) ‘Louis XVI was responsible for the political instability of 1789 to 1792.’ How far do you
agree?[20]
 fight
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opposition strengthenFrance foreigners

7 sustainpower
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2020 Oct/Nov (22)
resolverevolutionary problems
(a) Why was Napoleon interested in domestic reform? [10]
spersonal ambition
s
(b) ‘Division amongst the revolutionaries was the main cause of political instability in France
between 1789 and 1795.’ How far do you agree? [20]

2020 Oct/Nov (23)

(a) Why did the working-class people in Paris play such an important part in the Revolution?
[10]
(b) ‘Napoleon had the support of his army.’ How far does this explain the success of the
Brumaire coup d’état of 1799? [20] absence
ofderleader
Emergence different
parties
of
lochof
experience
Enlightenment
2021 May/June (21) Interpretations
Radicalisation
of
theRevolution
(a) Why was the Estates General divided in 1789? [10] of
Events
escapemuch did
(b) ‘The Directory governed France well.’ How far do you agree? [20] Regionaldivisions inFranceA

2021 May/June (22)

(a) Why did French revolutionaries between 1789 and 1795 find it hard to agree on what kind of
government they wanted? [10]
(b) ‘Napoleon’s domestic policies brought great benefits to France.’ How far do you agree? [20]

2021 May/June (23)

(a) Why did the execution of the King fail to end political instability in France? [10]
(b) ‘A popular dictator.’ Assess this view of Napoleon. [20]
Different structure
for against you cent agree or disagree withQ
2021 Oct/Nov (21)
statement nochoice stick tothestatant
(a) Why did demands for reform become more radical between 1789 and 1792? [10] for andthen
(b) How far were Napoleon’s domestic policies aimed at increasing his personal power? [20] move
onto
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argument
2021 Oct/Nov (22)
Sense
(a) Why was Napoleon able to become increasingly powerful in France after the Brumaire coup?
[10]
(b)‘Divided and leaderless.’ How far does this explain the failure of the
Counter-Revolutionaries? [20]

rengthideying
2021 Oct/Nov (23) 1789 1 S
(a) Why did the Jacobins become increasingly powerful? [10] Some
(b) ‘The Directory fell because it could not manage the French economy.’ How far do you agree?
[20]

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2021 March
(a) Explain why the monarchy was abolished in 1792. [10]
(b) How far did Napoleon’s domestic policies benefit the French people? [20]

2021 May/June (21)

(a) Explain why the Estates General was not able to deal with the issues France faced. [10]
(b) How far did Napoleon as First Consul, 1799–1804, maintain the principles of the
Revolution? [20]

2021 May/June (22)

(a) Explain why the Directory was overthrown in 1799. [10]
(b) ‘Economic weakness was the main cause of political instability in France between 1790 and
1795.’ How far do you agree with this view? [20]
 estimate
2021 May/June (23) reforms
(a) Explain why Napoleon introduced the Civil Code. [10]
(b) ‘Louis XVI brought about his own downfall.’ How far do you agree with this view? [20]

2021 Oct/Nov (21)

(a) Explain why Louis XVI was executed in 1793. [10]
(b) To what extent was Napoleon’s military ability the reason for the ending of the Directory in
1799? [20] Enlightenment Foskeythe
Reformsolid
amaranths hierarchy Regime
2021 Oct/Nov (22)
socifastice poformtse system
(a) Explain why the National Constituent Assembly introduced the August Decrees. [10]
(b) ‘The ideas of the Revolution were ignored by the Directory.’ To what extent do you agree
with this view? [20] reform church
meritocracy
2021 Oct/Nov (23)
(a) Explain why France experienced the ‘Reign of Terror’ between 1792 and 1794. [10]
(b) To what extent did the ideas of the Enlightenment cause the outbreak of the Revolution in
1789? [20]

2022 March
(a) Explain why Necker resigned in 1781. [10]
(b) How firmly did Napoleon establish his control over France as First Consul, 1799–1804? [20]

2022 May/June (21)

(a) Explain why Louis XVI issued the edict of 24 January 1789, summoning the Estates General.

some lords
[10]
(b) To what extent was the Directory a failure? [20]
 Declaration of war
2022 May/June (22)
(a) Explain why the September Massacres of 1792 happened. [10]
(b) How far was the passing of the August Decrees in 1789 caused by ideas of the
Enlightenment? [20]

revolting
2022 May/June (23)
problems
(a) Explain why the Assembly of Notables met in 1787. [10]
(b) To what extent did Napoleon’s domestic policies change France in the period
1799–1814?[20]

2022 Oct/Nov (21) same

(a) Explain why Napoleon’s domestic policies were popular. [10]
(b) ‘War caused the French monarchy to fall in 1792.’ How far do you agree? [20]

2022 Oct/Nov (22)

0 I
(a) Explain why the insurrection of 10 August 1792 happened. [10]

Isstorming the TuileriesPalace

(b) ‘The Concordat of 1801 was Napoleon’s greatest domestic achievement.’ How far do you

µ f agree? [20]

y
intern 2022 Oct/Nov (23)
(a) Explain why Napoleon’s coup of 1799 against the Directory was successful. [10]
pity (b) How far do you agree that the failure of the Estates General was caused by Louis XVI? [20]

in