Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

Which event is often cited as the catalyst for direct action in the French Revolution?

1. The execution of King Louis XVI

2. The Women's March on Versailles

3. The Storming of the Bastille

4. The establishment of the National Assembly

The correct answer is: The Storming of the Bastille

The Storming of the Bastille is widely regarded as the catalyst for direct action in the French Revolution because it symbolized the uprising against the oppressive monarchy and the old regime. On July 14, 1789, Parisians stormed the Bastille prison, which held political prisoners and was a symbol of royal tyranny. This event demonstrated the determination of the masses to take control of their fate and reject a government that had failed to address their grievances. The storming of this fortress not only incited widespread revolutionary fervor throughout France but also marked the beginning of popular uprisings against the monarchy. By capturing the Bastille, revolutionaries were able to seize weapons and ammunition, empowering them and showing that organized resistance to the king's authority was possible. This act galvanized other citizens and led to further revolutionary activities, setting in motion a series of events that would eventually lead to the establishment of a republic in France.