Chap 1: Absolutism and Ancient Regime

Who was Louis XVI ? Why was he king?

- Became King of France at 20 in 1774

- 3rd son, never expected to be King

> His elder brothers and father all died of tuberculosis

- People said he was weak-willed and indecisive and unfit to be King

When and why did Louis XVI marry Marie Antoinette

- 1770 and Coronation in 1775

- In an attempt to hold former enemies Austria and France together (Marie was an Austrian Princess)

What was life like for Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette

-Life of the King and Queen was centered in palace of Versailles

- Court Factions often sought Royal favours i.e.

> pensions

> sinecures (positions within the government and the Church that provided income with little or no actual work required)

- The king was ultimate dispenser of patronage

Marie Antoinette:

- Often used her influence to create a 'pro Austrian Clique'

- Nicknamed the Austrian Bitch (L'Autrichienne)

- Nicknamed Madame Deficit (for spending so much money)

What happened on the 14th July 1789

- An angry Parisian crowd stormed the Bastille (a medieval fortress used as a Royal prison)

- This became a symbol for the French revolution in 1789

What is an Absolute Monarchy

- A system of government where a single monarch has supreme, unchecked authority possessing absolute legislative, executive and judicial power over the state and government

What is despotism

- A system of government where a ruler has absolute power and exercises it unfairly, cruelly or arbitrarily (randomly)

What were the key features of Louis XVIs absolutism

- Answerable to no one but God according to the 'Divine right of Kings'

- Controlled Central & National government and Local government (with the help of ministers, intendants and advisers)

- Appointing and dismissing ministers, advisers & intendants

- Declaring war & peace

- Letter De Cachet

- Legislative powers (inc. taxation)

- Patronage & Venality

- Living lavishly in Versailles

What were the downsides of Louis XVI living in Versailles

- 12 miles outside of Paris

- Centre of Political Power

This meant:

- Royals out of touch = strengthened opposition against Monarchy

- He relied on his intendants to keep him informed = He could be deceived (& overthrown)

What is Patronage and Venality

- Patronage = granting privileges

- Venality = selling of Administrative titles

What wars did France engage in (before and during Louis XVI reign) that led them to detrimental debt

Before:

- War of Austrian succession 1740-48 , Defeated

- The 7 year war 1756-63, Defeated

- By 1764 France was 2.3b in debt (Which Louis XVI inherited)

During:

- American War of Independence 1778-83, Victory

- By 1783 France was 3.3b in debt

What was the Letter De Cachet, how many times did Louis XVI use it

- The Kings right of arbitrary arrest & imprisonment & detainment WITHOUT trial

- 14,000 times from 1774-89 (15 years)

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