1. Origins of the Revolution Flashcards
When did Louis XVI become King of France? - Origins
Louis XVI became King of France in 1774.
What was France’s population by the 1780s? How many of these were involved in agriculture? - Origins
France had a population of 27 million by the 1780s. 21 million worked in agriculture.
How many members were there of each estate? - Origins
First - 150,000
Second - 200-400,000
Third - approx 26.5 million
How much of France’s land did the church own? What was the tithe and who paid it? - Origins
The church owned c. 10% of France’s land.
The tithe was a 10% of earnings/produce tax paid to the church by the 2nd and 3rd Estates.
How much of France’s land did the Second Estate own? How many venal offices contributed to the Second Estate by 1789? - Origins
The 2nd Estate owned approx 1/4 of France’s land.
By 1789, there were 70,000 venal offices contributing to the 2nd Estate.
Who was Montesquieu and what were his enlightenment ideas? Name some of his notable works - Origins
Montesquieu was a magistrate at the Bordeaux Parlement who defended privilege and the social hierarchy of France. Questioned political structure of France, arguing for a separation of powers between govt.’s 3 branches.
(The Spirit of the Laws, Persian Letters)
Who was Voltaire and what were his enlightenment ideas? Name some of his notable works - Origins
Voltaire was an author and playwright, who, having trained as a lawyer, decided to produce fiercely critical works that opposed the government. Believed in right to fair trial, justice, freedom of speech.
(Candide)
Who was Rousseau and what were his enlightenment ideas? Name some of his notable works - Origins
Rousseau was an author who argued for a government that worked with its citizens in a form of ‘social contract’. Believed there were obligations on both sides of govt and society, and that people should be permitted to overthrow a govt.
(The Social Contract)
Who was Diderot and what were his enlightenment ideas? - Origins
Diderot was a writer who aimed to spread education to all, which directly opposed the rigid and exclusive Ancien Regime as it was an attempt to promote equality. Aimed to compile all human knowledge into one text.
(Encyclopédie)
What was the literacy rate in urban France? - Origins
Urban France’s literacy rate was approximately 60%.
When did the American Revolution last from-to? When was the Declaration of Independence? - Origins
The American Revolution happened between 1775 and 1783. The Declaration of Independence was made in 1776.
When did France first privately support the American Revolution? When did France first openly support the American Revolution? - Origins
France first privately supported the Revolution in 1776, later openly supporting it in 1778.
How much aid had France sent the Americans by 1777? When was the Treaty of Paris agreed? - Origins
By 1777, France had sent the Americans 5 million livres of aid.
The Treaty of Paris was agreed in 1783.
What was France’s population in the 1780s? How many of these people worked in agriculture? - Origins
France’s population was 27 million in the 1780s, with over 20 million employed in agriculture.
By how many times did French commerce increase between 1715 and 1771? BY how many times did French trade with colonies increase? - Origins
Between 1715 and 1771, French commerce increased 8 FOLD.
Trade with colonies QUADRUPLED within this period.
By what amount did industrial production increase between 1715 and 1771? What industries did this include? - Origins
Industrial production doubled between 1715 and 1771 in industries such as mining, metallurgy and textiles.
What examples are there of a downturn in France’s agricultural fortunes prior to the revolution? - Origins
France’s harvests between 1785 and 1789 were disastrous, especially in 1788 when a hailstorm destroyed it. There was also the failed vintage of 1778.
What was the debt of France following the American Revolutionary Wars? - Origins
The American Revolutionary Wars left France with a debt of 3.3 billion livres.
