The Origins of Revolution in France: 1774-1789, Paper 2 A-Level History

The Ancien Regime

The deeply unequal social and political system that governed France before the first revolution.

Divine Right

Belief that a rulers authority comes directly from god.

Council of Advisors and Controller-General

Men who were appointed by the king and were advisors. The general was the most senior position and was in-charge of the council.

Lettres de Cachet

Letters that if written could be used to detain a subject without reason or trial.

First Estate

The social class made of the French Catholic Clergy (church leaders)

Second Estate

The social class made of French Nobility and Monarchy

Third Estate

The social class made of Commoners and the bougies

Strengths of the Ancien Regime

Powerful, Some economic freedom, Political stability, social stability, some education of the poor through the First Estate

Weaknesses of the Ancien Regime

Tax exemptions, wealth inequality, starving populous, Second Estate taking all the wealth, poor overall hygiene, inprisonment without cause, corruption, overtaxation of the poor, minimal social mobility

The Enlightenment

The Age of Reason, the promotion of reason, logic, and evidence in thinking

Voltaire

(1694-1778) French philosopher. He believed that freedom of speech was the best weapon against bad government. He also spoke out against the corruption of the French government, and the intolerance of the Catholic Church. Also admired the English system of government and thought it was very liberal.

Rousseau

(1712-1778) Believed that society threatened natural rights and freedoms. Wrote about society's corruption caused by the revival of sciences and art instead of it's improvement. He was sponsored by the wealthy and participated in salons but often felt uncomfortable and denounced them. Wrote "The Social Contract."

Montesquieu

French political philosopher who advocated the separation of executive and legislative and judicial powers (1689-1755). But defended nobility and the privileges the receive, but disliked the divine right.

How was the Enlightenment ideas spread?

pamphlets and books

Taxation

Indirect and direct forms that were paided by the Third Estate.

Indirect Taxes

Taxes levied on spending to buy goods and services, and made up 55% of states total income.

Direct Taxes

Taxes paid on land and property, they were easy to get out of in terms of property and very little was paid by the upper classes who had most of the land.

Tax Farmers

Collectors of indirect taxes, with a reputation for cruelty and corruption.

Crown Debt after 7 Years War

Louis took out a very large loan for a war over territories in North America and lost the war and the territories leaving the crown in a great amount of debt.

American Revolutions impact of French Debt

1.3 billion Lives, the debt grew from 43% to over 50% of governmental spending paying it off. As well the French people saw a similar unjust government and got inspiration.

Corruption at Court in France.

Was 6% of the governments spending on Court and wealthy 3rd estate could buy titles and the privileges that came with them.

Venal Titles

Bourgeois could move into the Second Estate and join court. 40,000 people did this in the 1700s. This means they didn't have to pay taxes and exacerbated the finance problem because they were the wealthy third estate paying most of the taxes.

Turgot

(1727-1781) A physiocrat disciple chosen as a chief minister by Louis XVI. He was a contributor to the Encyclopedia, and as minister he freed the grain trade, suppressed guilds, converted peasant's forced road labor to a tax payed by all landlords, and reduced court expenses. He was dismissed when Louis felt resistance from parlements and his courtiers.

Necker

Louis XVI's finance minister who published a paper stating that the government had a 10% surplus in profits but actually had a huge debt and made the issue worse and gave the public false hope. He did however work to replace the Venal ministers and reduce corruption.

Calonne

Briefly replaced Necker as minister of FINANCE. Wanted new land tax, lower taxes, internal trade, grain/salt trade etc. Needed approval of Estates General. As well he was a big advocate for free trade.