1789: The End Of The Ancien Regime Flashcards
What initially was the voting system going to be at the Estates General
Voting by Order
Why did the Bourgeoisie become suspicious of Voting by Order
It meant that the other two orders could vote together each time and prevent any changes
What did the Third Estate propose to give them a fair say at the Estates-General? [2]
Demanded twice the number of deputies
Voting by head
Who would join with the Third Estate to give them a majority at the Estates-General?
The poor parish priests from the 1st Estate
When did the Kings council announce that the number of deputies in the Third Estate would be doubled?
December 1788
Who were the majority of the first estate deputies? How many were bishops?
Regular parish priests.
Only 51 of the 291 deputies
Which deputies from the second estate would become very important in the Estates-General?
The liberals, who were open to change
How many peasant or urban workers were chosen as Third Estate deputies?
0
What was a cahier?
A list of grievances and suggestions for reform that was compiled by each estate before the Estates-General
How many of the nobles were willing to give up their financial privileges?
89%
What did all 3 cahiers have in common? [2]
Against Royal absolutism
Wanted an elected assembly which would have the right to vote taxes and pass laws
When did the Estates-General first meet?
5th May 1789
What did the 3rd Estate suggest should happen before the meeting continued and what was the response?
All the deputies credentials should be verified together. Rejected by the other two estates. 3rd Estate refused to cooperate until this had taken place
What was announced on the 10th June?
The Third Estate would start verifying the deputies, regardless of whether the other two estates chose to join in or not
When did the Third Esate vote to call themselves the National Assembly and what was the vote split?
15th June
490 to 90
As the National Assembly, what was the Third Estate claiming?
As they represented most of the nation, they now had the right to manage its affairs and decide taxation
When was the Tennis Court Oath declared and what did it declare?
20th June 1789
The deputies agreed not to disperse until they had given France a new constitution
How did the Tennis Court Oath show that the deputies were becoming more radical
Voted by 490 to 90 to call themselves the National Assembly
Voted the Tennis Court Oath by 579 to 1
When the seance royale met on 23rd June, what reforms did the King propose?
No taxes would be imposed without consent from an elected parliament
Lettres de cachet abolished
Freedom of the Press introduced
What was the reaction to the Kings proposals in the Seance royale?
Rejected, not radical enough
What strategy was Louis considering to overthrown the National Assembly?
Military force
- placed 4000 troops around Paris by late June
- more than 20,000 in less than a week after
What were the Reveillon riots?
His wallpaper factory was burnt down due to rumours that he was going to reduce wages
What became the home of the rebels in Paris and what would happen every night?
The Palais-Royale, home of the Duc D’Orleans. Thousand of Parisians would gather to listen to revolutionary speakers such as Camille Desmoulins
What did the French people think of Jacques Necker?
Believed he was the only minister capable of tackling the financial crisis
What happened when news reached Paris of Neckers dismissal on 12th July
Many flocked to the Palais-Royale, where they were told to take up arms. Gunsmiths were looted
What was sized from Les Invalides, an old soldiers retirement home?
28000 muskets and 200 cannons
By 14th July 1489, how many Gardes-Francaises battalions had deserted?
5 out of 6
What happened to de Launey, governor of the Bastille?
Murdered and decapitated by the crowd
What date was the Storming of the Bastille?
14th July 1789
What was set up on 15th July? [2]
The Paris Commune to govern Paris, with Bailley elected as Mayor
The National Guard, with Lafayette as Commander
After the Bastille, how many emigres fled abroad in the next two months?
20,000
When did the National Assembly become the Constituent Assembly?
9th July 1789
What happened to the Kings authority in French towns during July 1489?
It collapsed. His orders were only accepted if they were approved by the Constituent Assembly
What happened in the rural revolt of Spring and Summer 1789? [3]
Grain stores were looted
Chateaux were attacked and frequently burnt
Documents known as ‘terriers’, which listed peasant obligations, were destroyed
When did the Grand Fear last from?
20th July 1789 until the 6th August 1789
What was the Grand Fear?
Peasants would gather near their crops due to rumours that the nobles were paying bands of brigands to ruin the harvest. When they didn’t turn up, the peasants turned their anger to the landlords instead
When and what were the August Decrees? [4]
5-11th August Tithes Abolished Venality Abolished Tax exemptions abolished All citizens taxed equally
What did the August decrees represent?
The start of the dismantling of the Ancien Regime
What did some peasants dislike about the August decrees?
They had to compensate their landlords for the loss of their feudal dues
When and what was the DOROMAC? [4]
26th August All men born free and equal Taxation borne in relation to wealth Sovereignty lies with the people Freedom of expression
Why were Church lands nationalised?
To solve the financial crisis that the government found themselves in
When were Church lands nationalised and how much were they believed to be worth?
2nd November 1789, 2000 million livres
What were assignats?
Bonds that were issued or sold.
Used to settle debts and for purchasing goods
Accepted as currency
Why could the King not to force to overthrow the Assembly?
What method did he use instead?
He had lost the loyalty of the army.
Forced to use non-cooperation tactics
What did the Assembly give the King in terms of passing laws and what were the conditions?
Suspensive Veto - could delay any legislation other than financial ones for up to 4 years
What happened on the evening of the 1st October
King and Queen held a banquet where the officers trampled on the tricolour, the colours of the revolution
When did the Women march on Paris to demand bread?
5th October
What did the King and the Assembly agree to do on the 6th October
Move to Paris
How many women were involved in the October days?
6000 to 7000
Why did the October days humiliate the Assembly
The people had bypassed them
They had been forced to move to Paris
How did the Kings position change after the October days?
Title changed from ‘King of France’ to ‘King of the French’