How Much Do You Know About the French Bourgeoisie?

Heather Cahill

Image: ilbusca/DigitalVision Vectors/Getty Images

About This Quiz

France has changed drastically over the years and left a long history behind it. The country gave us people such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Joan of Arc and Claude Monet. But it also gave us the concept of the bourgeoisie and taught us all about how capitalism came to be. So, do you think you're an expert on the French bourgeoisie?

Do you know how the bourgeoisie was established in France? What about the difference between the nobility and the bourgeoisie? Can you name the citizens that the bourgeoisie employed in their companies? If that's too easy, then tell us what the nobility had that the bourgeoisie didn't! Many different classes affected the bourgeoisie and how they lived day-to-day. If you know them, then you're well on your way to acing this quiz!

Can you name the person who analyzed and criticized the bourgeoisie? Then let's see if you can name a famous member of the bourgeoisie! Do you know how the bourgeoisie would show their status and wealth? If you can answer these, then you'll do great!

So, if you think you know all about the famous bourgeoisie, then get ready to prove it. Bring out your inner history buff and take the quiz to see how well you know the group!

What period did the bourgeoisie in France begin to form?

The bourgeoisie first got its start in the middle ages in France. At this time, there was a heightened importance in politics that led to the famous French Revolution.

What was the bourgeoisie responsible for?

The bourgeoisie was known to be the working class, meaning that they were responsible for providing goods and services. At the same time, most people in this class did have a bit of wealth.

Which group was larger, the proletariat or the bourgeoisie?

The proletarians were a larger group than the bourgeoisie. This meant that the bourgeoisie had plenty of workers to help them keep their businesses going strong.

In France, there were how many types of the bourgeoisie?

There were four groups of the bourgeoisie in France, which ranged from the lower class to higher class. They were the petite, moyenne, grande, and haute bourgeoisie.

Is it true or false that the French bourgeoisie made up a large part of the population?

This is false. The bourgeoisie in French was relatively small, making up only a fraction of the population. Despite being so small, they had a huge impact on France at the time.

What did people who were part of the bourgeoisie want to do once they reached a certain amount of wealth?

Joining the nobility was a good choice for the wealthiest of the bourgeoisie as it benefitted themselves and their families. Once becoming part of it, they were exempt from things like land tax and gained other privileges that they would have otherwise not had.

Who do the bourgeoisie employ?

The bourgeoisie employ the proletariats, who were better known as the workers. They do the manual work that helps to generate the wealth of the bourgeoisie.

Which class is considered the bourgeoisie in France?

The French bourgeoisie is known as the middle class in France. These were the individuals who worked regular jobs in the city and were part of the French Revolution.

One asset that most bourgeois families owned was what?

Bourgeois families typically bought their own property. It was a mark of their social status as well as an important asset that allowed them to make more money.

Is it true or false that a bourgeois family is typically one made up of business relations?

This is true. Business relations were of high importance to the bourgeoisie. Marrying and forming relationships were a great way for the class to expand on their family's wealth and success.

What was essential to the businesses of the bourgeoisie?

The employees are essential to the success of the bourgeois businesses as without them, the business wouldn't run at such a large scale.

When more power and influence shifted to the bourgeoisie, who lost some power?

Lords and others considered high up and close to the monarchy lost some of their power with the rise of the bourgeoisie. The bourgeoisie, in turn, became more and more powerful, being able to lift their class up the ranks.

The bourgeoisie put an importance on what in all aspects of life?

Money and wealth were the most important factors of all things to the bourgeoisie. Without money, they would not have been able to live the life that they did, after all.

What was the only thing that the proletariat could sell to the bourgeoisie?

Proletarians made their livings from the bourgeoisie who employed them. They did not own things on the same level as the bourgeoisie, meaning that they couldn't sell their things to make extra cash.

Is it true or false that items were often sold by the bourgeoisie at a higher price than what they paid the proletarians?

This is true. By doing this, the bourgeoisie was able to make a larger profit off of the product, while paying less to the proletarians that worked for them. It created more wealth in the pocket of the bourgeois.

Which of these was written by Karl Marx?

Karl Marx wrote "The Communist Manifesto" in the mid-1800's. His document is famous for laying out the ways of the government and how it affects the world. It's also famous for speaking on the bourgeoisie and the proletarians.

Which of the following jobs would be something that a member of the haute bourgeoisie would possess?

Members of the haute bourgeoisie were in jobs that were more managerial than hands-on. They could be found in jobs such as merchants that relied on the work of the employees under them.

In which job might you find a member of the petite bourgeoisie?

The petite bourgeoisie was not afraid to get their hands dirty. The group often did a lot of work in their businesses themselves alongside their employees. This set them apart from the haute bourgeoisie.

Who thought that the bourgeoisie would be eliminated due to the revolution?

Karl Marx, the founder of Marxism, held this belief. His beliefs were against capitalism, and this was part of what he believed to be the downfall of the bourgeoisie in the revolution.

Is it true or false that there were different types of bourgeois?

This is true. The bourgeois were split up into different groups, most notably the petite bourgeoisie and the haute bourgeoisie. The petite bourgeoisie were of a lower class than the haute bourgeoisie, but they still enjoyed the same style of living.

What did the bourgeoisie eventually end up creating?

The way of the bourgeoisie evolved into what we know today as capitalism. Private companies make money and profit from the hard work of their employees and what they produce.

Which estate were the bourgeois part of?

The bourgeoisie was part of the third estate, which was the lowest of the three estates. The third estate included the bourgeoisie and every class underneath them such as the laborers that they hired.

Is it true or false that the bourgeoisie was the largest group in the third estate?

This is false. The bourgeoisie is one of the smallest groups in the estate. They are vastly outnumbered by the classes under them such as peasants.

How was the bourgeoisie established in France?

Without the help of revolutions, the bourgeoisie in France would not exist. The revolutions helped the group to gain more and more power as time went on.

What was one way that the bourgeoisie would show their status?

The bourgeoisie found it important to show their social status through their possessions. Owning land or businesses was a great way to show off their status.

Is it true or false that the nobility and the bourgeoisie were the same class?

This is false. The nobility was a higher class than the bourgeoisie, but they did have a lot of similarities. They also shared many of the same luxuries such as owning properties and items that showed status.

What was the bourgeoisie able to do to the monarchy?

After gaining their own power and leverage over the monarchy, the bourgeoisie were, in turn, able to take some of their power away. This turned France into a constitutional monarchy in the 1700s.

Which of the following was the bourgeoisie essential to?

The bourgeoisie were the people making the money and spending it. They were most commonly known as business people and kept the economy afloat.

What word is used for what the bourgeoisie does to the proletarians?

The bourgeoisie was known to exploit the proletariats for their ability to work. The more the proletariats worked, the more that they produced for the bourgeoisie to possess and make money from. They typically were not compensated very well for their time.

What document took away some of the power of the nobility?

The Declaration of Rights of Man and of Citizen was ground breaking in France at that time. It limited the power of the nobility over the people, giving them a little more security.

Is it true or false that the petite bourgeoisie is also known as the "petty bourgeoisie"?

This is true. The term "petty bourgeoisie" does not have a great origin. It was created out of spite for the group by Victor Klemperer.

Which famous person was part of the French bourgeoisie?

Voltaire was born into the bourgeoisie and lived his life in the social class. Although he was part of it, he did challenge the thinking and ways of the class and how beneficial it was to society.

Who did members of the bourgeoisie have a love-hate relationship with?

The monarchy was a group that the bourgeoisie wanted to take power away from, but not always. Sometimes, they needed the monarchy to be able to accomplish their own goals.

Is it true or false that members of the haute bourgeoisie had an education?

This is true. The haute bourgeoisie had the means to get themselves educated, unlike many of those under them. Their education helped them to advance in their businesses and wealth.

Despite being the more fortunate of the third estate, what didn't the bourgeoisie have?

Unlike the nobility of the second estate, the bourgeoisie never had an official title. Those above them could take on titles such as "Baron," for example.

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