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A level history french revolution topics, edexcel
What is the Ancein Regime
a sociopolitical system which existed in most of Europe and in France before 1789- it followed a system of absolutism in which the monarch has total control over government (parlements)
what was the lit de justice (bed of justice)
a particular formal session of the Parlement of Paris, under the presidency of the King of France, for the compulsory registration of the royal edicts and to impose his sovereignty
what was the difference between unprivileged and privileged in France
The unprivileged payed tax and were badly treated
The privileged don’t pay tax and were treated well
What was the assembly of the clergy?
a meeting of the clergy that took place every 5 years to decide how money would be spent and divide the burdens placed on the Church by the monarchy, as well as defending the church against taxation
what was the first estate (who/how many)
made up of: bishops - 139 monks - 25,000 nuns - 40,000 lower clergy - 50,000
what was the second estate (who/how many)
nobility - around 350,000
what was the third estate (who/how many)
everyone else in society, including the bourgeoisie, merchants, traders and the peasantry - around 24,500,000
What percentage of the population were peasants
85%
What were the privileges of the first estate?
bishops/archbishops had higher incomes
power of censorship over Church critics
what was the income of the archbishop of Strasbourg compared to parish priests?
AB of Strasbourg - 400,000 livres p.annum
parish priests - 700-1,000
what were members of the first estate exempt from
taxation (the Church payed an annual payment of <5% of their income, although they could afford a lot more)
only subject to Church laws, not civil ones
what were the privileges of the second estate
tried in special courts
right to free hunting and fishing
right of monopolies
got feudal dues
what were members of the second estate exempt from?
military service
taxation
paying the gabelle (form of tax)
corvée (forced labour)
burdens of the first estate
unpopular with general population due to collection of tithes
burdens of second estate
resented by 1st estate and had to support the King
what were the burdens of the third estate
taxation
tithes
feudal dues, including corvée
tried in seigneurial courts where a lord is judge and jury
what were lettres de cachet
blank arrest warrants
what problems can be associated with Louis’ powers (taxation, military, laws, appointing intendants)
all the negative results that come about due to failures in these areas reflect back on Louis
What systems were in place in each of France’s administrative divisions
Pays d'èlections: a local intendant governs the finance of each state
Pays d'etats: a representative assembly of all estates divide the taxes by parish or diocese
What are the Parlements?
local courts/councils; by the 1780s there were 13 situated in regional administrative centres.
They are not elected, nor did they make laws, members were important local nobles and higher clergymen like Bishops. They ensured the population partook in their civic duties and persecuted those who didn’t.
What threat did Parlements pose on Louis
Parlements could refuse to register and implement laws created by the King if they felt they went against traditions of the Ancien Regime.
Although he could issue a lit de justice if this happened, it was a massive struggle to enforce the law without the support of the Parlements.
What could Parlement do with remonstrances on proposed laws
They could send remonstrances back to the King; these were supposedly private but could be made public by the Parlements to rally public opinion.
Taille
Direct tax; on land and proportional to the amount that you own.
(third estate)
Capitation
Direct tax; depending on wealth, property and status- the wealthier you were, the more you paid
(second and third, the first were exempt so long as they paid an annual fee called the don gratuit (free gift))
Vingtiéme
direct tax; income tax equivalent to 1/20th of a peroso’s income
(in theory everyone, but in reality the first and second estates could pay a don gratuit instead)
Gabelle
indirect tax; on salt, which was need to preserve food
(third estate)
Tabac
indirect tax; on tobacco
(anyone purchasing Tabacco)
Baron de Montesquieu
Theory of separation of powers- an organizational structure where responsibilities, authority and powers are divided between groups, rather than being controlled centrally
He Challenged the Estates system and wanting the abolishment of absolutism
Jean-Jacques Rosseau
Believed societal structures led to an erosion of equality and freedom, as well as criticizing aristocracy, royalty, and religion
He believed that humans are inherently good and free and that any government that does not serve the will of the people violates it legitimacy
Denis Diderot
Advocated the open mind and believed that doubt was the beginning of wisdom. He continually questioned his own ideas and beliefs
"Our true opinions are those to which we approach most often"
Voltaire
Believed in freedom of religion and expression
He wanted the separation of Church and State
French cafes/salons
Where people spread ideas, built plans, and discussed revolutionary ideas; catalysed by the American war of independence.
What was talked about in Cafe documents
political reform, opinion, the national assembly, the people. Republicanism was not mentioned once; it is not a republic they want, but change.
What did the government to stop the spread of revolutionist ideas
printers had to be granted royal licenses to own a printing press
All publications were supposed to be granted approval by an official called the royal censor
A list of banned books was published
How did revolutionist ideas spread anyway
printing presses operated illegally and there was a black market of books and pamphlets.
Many pamphlets and books were brought in from Geneva where press control was much more liberal
How significant were Enlightenment views in bringing revolution to France?
Limited in significance as they would only reach only certain people; only those at the very top of third estate might even be aware of the Philosophes
The enlightenment
the dawn of a new age of reason and knowledge
Financial crisis, 1770s-1780s (short term cause of revolution)
Money had been depleting due to the costly wars France was involved in, as well as this bad harvest had led to food shortages
Financial problems caused by the 7 years war
France borrowed money to cost for the war, leaving it with massive debt
Trade problems caused by the 7 years war
colonial commerce reduced by as much as 81%
What was State debt in 1789
between 8-12 billion livres
7 years war influence on French revolution
great amounts of debt would lead to an increase of tax, increasing the burdens of the 3rd estate
7 years war
1756-1763
fought between 2 alliances led by France and GB
The treaty of Paris which ended the war established colonial lines which favored the British
American War of independence
fought between the British and American colonies; aid from France and Spain facilitated an American victory
Financial problems caused by the american war of independence
debt was added from the 7 years war, they spent over 1 billion livres on the war
When do France formally join the American war of independence
1778
influence of the american revolution in France
America had, against all odds, removed George III’s power
How did Louis help shape developments up to 1789
his personal attributes were crucial in shaping views of the monarchy; his awkward personality, secretive pleasures, long rumored impotency, didn’t do much to better the crown’s reputation
what was the 1784 diamond necklace affair?
schemed to acquire a valuable diamond necklace by duping the owner into believing that Queen Marie-Antoinette wanted to obtain it surreptitiously and that he could gain her favour by facilitating its purchase.
It was significant because people thought it could be true.
When was Turgot made Controller General
24 August 1774
When did Turgot introduce free trade
1774
Failures of Turgot’s free trade?
bad weather 1774-75 resulted in bad harvest, causing grain price to increase and violent unrest to ensue (flour wars)
the flour wars
a wave of riots from April to May 1775. It followed an increase in grain prices, and subsequently bread prices
What did Turgot propose in 1776
an edict banning the corvee and introducing property tax in all estates. Parlements refused to sanction them and he was forced to resign.
When was Turgot forced to resign as Controller General
12 May 1776
When was Necker made controller General (Finance minister as he was Protestant)
29 June 1777
What did Necker publish in 1781
Compte rendu au Roi (report to the king) , in which he claimed there was a surplus of 10 million livres, when in reality there was a deficit of 46 million.
It was seen as being open so was popular with the people and made financers more willing to support the french state
What controversial reform did Necker try and introduce
he tried to streamline state finances by ensuring that venal ministers were replaced by trained and salaried officials. There was strong opposition as it meant fewer opportunities for wealthy businessmen hoping to buy status
When was Necker forced to resign
19 May 1781
When was Calonne made controller general?
3 November 1783
what did Calonne propose in 1786
the increase of state income through the sale of church land and the introduction of a universal tax for all.
The assembly of notables met in Feb. 1787 and refused the reform.
When was Necker finance minister (2nd time)
26 August 1788- 11 July 1789
He was brought back in as the people liked him
success of Brienne
got the Paris parlement to sanction an edict allowing free internal trade
why was there opposition in the paris parlement to brienne’s reforms
In july 1787 refused to sanction the introduction of a new universal land tax, arguing that it was too radical a change to the principles of the Ancien regime that it would require the support of an Estates-General
Controller general
the name of the minister in charge of finances in France
Estates General
was a legislative and consultative assembly of the different estates
Assembly of Notables
a group of high-ranking nobles, ecclesiastics, and state functionaries convened by the King of France on extraordinary occasions to consult on matters of state.
Louis’ response Brienne’s reforms
15 august 1787, exiled parlement to Troyes
Nobility’s response to Louis’ exile of parlement in 1787
thought he was a tyrant. When he tried to limit legislative powers of the parlements the aristocratic revolts took place
aristocratic revolts
revolt of the aristocracy.
Day of Tiles (Revolt of Grenoble), June 1788: When Louis ordered the disassembly of the local parlement, they refused, and soldiers were sent to arrest them. Violence broke out and roof tiles were dropped on the soldiers. This was the first act of violence/mob against the King
august 1788
in an effort to regain support he recalled members of the paris parlement
16 August: treasury announced that all payments would be suspended, effectively declaring France bankrupt
Note 
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