2. Experiment in Constitutional Monarchy

Question 1

When did the first session of the Estates-General take place at Versailles? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 1

The first session of the Estates-General took place on the 5th May 1789.

Question 2

When did some clerics begin to join the Third Estate following their assertion that deputies should be verified together? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 2

Some clerics joined the Third Estate on the 10th June following their assertion the deputies should be verified together.

Question 3

When was the National Assembly formed? How many voted for/against this measure? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 3

The National Assembly was formed on the 17th June. 491 voted in favour, with 90 against.

Question 4

On what date was the Tennis Court Oath taken? What did the Oath swear? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 4

The Tennis Court Oath was taken on the 20th June 1789. This Oath swore that the members of the National Assembly would not disband until France had a new Constitution.

Question 5

When did the King hold a royal session responding to the formation of the NA? What was announced by this session? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 5

The King held a Royal Session on the 23rd June, during which he refused to recognise the National Assembly, although he did accept a land tax and new taxation methods.

Question 6

When did Louis first order Royal troops to march on Paris? How many troops did Louis order? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 6

On the 26th June 1789, Louis ordered 4800 troops to match on Paris.

Question 7

What happened to the membership of the National Assembly on the 27th June? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 7

The National Assembly was eventually made into a body comprising all deputies, after Louis ordered all remaining deputies to join the National Assembly.

Question 8

When was Necker dismissed for the second time? Why was this so controversial? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 8

Necker was dismissed on the 11th July 1789, with this leading to fears that the King was opposed to reform of finances.

Question 9

Describe the events of the 14th July 1789 in Paris - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 9

Crowds looking to arm themselves descended on the Bastille, a prison housing gunpowder and lettre de cachet victims. The Governor, de Launay, was executed after failing to surrender, and the prison looted.

Question 10

When did Louis travel to Paris following the Storming of the Bastille? What actions did Louis take? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 10

On the 17th July 1789, Louis was persuaded to go to Paris. Sporting the revolutionary cockade, endorsing the National Guard and Paris Commune, reinstating Necker and accepting the National Assembly

Question 11

When did the Great Fear happen? What economic difficulties preceded this? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 11

The Great Fear occurred in the weeks between the 17th July and 3rd August 1789.
Prior to this, the Harvest of 1788 was adversely affected by poor weather and poor yields.

Question 12

How did peasants respond to rumours around the actions of the nobility (emigree and rural) in the Great Fear? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 12

Peasants attacked chateaux accused of hoarding grain, as well as destroying the property of nobles feared to launch an uprising against the National Assembly. They destroyed the terriers listing feudal obligations also.

Question 13

When did the National Assembly abolish feudal rights? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 13

The National Assembly abolished feudalism on the 4th August 1789.

Question 14

When were the August Decrees passed? What specific decrees were made in the August Decrees? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 14

The August Decrees were passed in the week of 4th-11th August. All feudal dues were abolished without compensation, all tithes and fees abolished, no more venality would be allowed, all citizens would pay equally levied taxes, all citizens would be available for every position (ecclesiastical/civilian/military), exclusive right to own pigeons abolished.

Question 15

When was the DOROMAC passed by the National Assembly? What terms were agreed by this? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 15

The DOROMAC was passed on the 26th August 1789. This asserted that all men were born and remain free and equal in rights, ensured everyone would be fairly subjected to the law, established freedom of expression and association, asserted rights to property, sovereignty would exist in ‘the Nation’.

Question 16

When were the October Days? Describe the events of the October Days - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 16

The October Days occurred on the 5th and 6th of October. 6000 women, flanked by the National Guard, marched to Versailles to confront Louis. They entered the palace of Versailles and pleaded for Louis to accept the August Decrees and DOROMAC, as well as grant extra grain supplies to the Capital.

Question 17

When was the first of the 1792 Journées? How many sans culottes gathered? Describe the events of the Journée - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 17

The first Journée occurred on 20th June 1792, with 8000 sans-culottes gathering at the Tuileries palace. Crowds of sans-culottes gathered with petitions, demanding that Louis withdraw his vetoes and restore pro-war ministers that had been dismissed. Louis appeared, drinking a toast to the nation which seemed to resolve the situation.

Question 18

When was the decree ‘la patrie en danger’ issued? What were the demands of this? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 18

‘La patrie en danger’ was issued on the 11th July 1792, demanding that all men show full support to the war effort in the spirit of self-sacrifice.

Question 19

When was the Brunswick Manifesto issued? What did this proclaim? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 19

The Brunswick Manifesto was issued on the 25th July 1792, stating that any National Guard captured by the Austrians would be put to death and that Paris would face consequences if Louis came to any harm.

Question 20

When was the 2nd Journée of 1792? How many people attended? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 20

The 2nd Journée of 1792 happened on the 10th August 1792. 20,000 sans-culottes gathered this time, joined by 2000 fédérés.

Question 21

Describe the events of the Journée of 10th August 1792 - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 21

Sans-culottes had carefully planned a protest, with the King instructed to hide in the Assembly. Loyalist troops defected to the mob, allowing the mob to flood into the palace. Nearly 1000 sans-culottes were killed, yet all royal guards were massacred. King placed in Temple Prison.

Question 22

What decree was issued against refractory priests on the 26th August 1792? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 22

On 26th August 1792, Danton decreed that all refractory priests should leave the country within 2 weeks or face deportation to French Guyana.

Question 23

What French settlements came under foreign attack on the 23rd August and 1st September respectively? What fears were generated by this? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 23

Longwy fell to foreign forces on the 23rd August and Verdun came under attack on the 1st September. This generated fears that the Capital could rapidly fall to enemy forces following this, leading France to lose the war.

Question 24

When did Danton introduce conscription ‘on pain of death’? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 24

Danton introduced conscription ‘on pain of death’ on the 2nd September 1792.

Question 25

When did the September Massacres take place? What happened during the September Massacres? How many people were killed? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 25

The September Massacres took place from 2nd-6th September 1792. 1000-1500 prisoners (political figures and refractory priests) in Paris were killed by sans-culottes and fédérés in an orgy of blood.

Question 26

What were the results of the September 1792 elections to the National Convention? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 26

In the National Convention elections of 1792, the Girondins were obliterated following their opposition to the sans-culottes and radical sentiment. No Girondins elected in Paris, with radical leaders selected instead.

Question 27

What was the Jacobin Club? Who would be a member (over time)? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 27

The Jacobin Club was an offset of the Breton Club, with slightly more radical views than the Bretons. The Club was reserved initially for Active Citizens only, but later opened meetings and discussions to all.

Question 28

When did the Flight to Varennes happen? What reasons can be given for the failure of the Flight to Varennes? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 28

The Flight to Varennes happened on the 20/21st June 1791. Louis rejected the suggested route to escape, the departure was delayed, the coach was too heavy so was slowed, Louis was recognised by a postmaster (Drouet) who had been tipped off. The royals were ARRESTED at Varennes.

Question 29

When was the Champ de Mars Massacre? What happened? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 29

The Champ de Mars Massacre happened on the 17th July 1791, with the National Guard sent to ensure order. However, this had the opposite effect, and the Guard fired on the crowd. 50 people were killed.

Question 30

What was the Declaration of Pillnitz? When was this made? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 30

The Declaration of Pillnitz was an agreement between Leopold and the leader of Prussia that they would use military force to restore French royal power as it was in the interest of all nations to do so. This was made on the 27th August 1791.

Question 31

What percentage of pre-revolutionary soldiers were among the private armies of émigrées? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 31

60% of all pre-revolutionary soldiers were among the private armies of émigrées.

Question 32

What decree was made on the 9th November 1791 to combat the threat of émigrées? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 32

On the 9th November 1791 the Assembly decreed that all émigrées would have to return to France by January 1792, or face banishment and the seizure of their property.

Question 33

What decree was made on the 29th November 1791 to combat the threat of refractory priests? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 33

On the 29th November 1791, the Assembly decreed that all refractory priests would have to take the Oath to the Civil Constitution or be branded a traitor.

Question 34

When did France declare war on Austria? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 34

France declared war on Austria on the 20th April 1792.

Question 35

What action did Louis take to the votes made by the Assembly in May 1792 with regards to refractory priests and the King’s Guard? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 35

Louis used his suspensory veto to deny the Assembly’s deportation of the refractory priests and the disbanding of his King’s guard.

Question 36

What was the Cordeliers Club? What were their beliefs? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 36

The Cordeliers Club was an extreme and radical working-class club, with very low membership fees. They met to discuss grievances and also opposed the distinction between passive and active citizens. Aimed to protect rights.

Question 37

What was the Feuillant Club? What were its aims? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 37

The Feuillant Club was a monarchist-supporting offshoot of the Jacobin Club created following the Flight to Varennes. The Feuillants aimed to de-radicalise the revolution and attract moderates.

Question 38

What religious changes were agreed by the Assembly in the early months of the Revolution (August 1789-June 1790)? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 38

Pluralism was abolished, payment of annates was ended, payment of the tithe to the church was ended, the don gratuit was abolished, church land was nationalised, full citizenship was granted to all Protestants, all non-charitable religious orders were abolished.

Question 39

When was all Church land nationalised? What reason was there for this? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 39

Church land was nationalised on the 2nd November 1789. This would pay off the debts of the state.

Question 40

When was the Civil Constitution of the Clergy passed? What did this determine? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 40

The CCC was passed on the 12th July 1790, reorganising the administrative structure of the Church, making all clergy paid state officials within a salary structure, made all Bishops and Priests elected (giving citizens control over spiritual leaders).

Question 41

When was the Oath to the Civil Constitution decreed? What did this state? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 41

The Oath to the Civil Constitution was decreed on the 27th November 1790, determining that all clergy would swear allegiance to the nation, the law, the King and the Constitution.

Question 42

What happened to clergy who rejected the Oath to the Civil Constitution? How many bishops/clergy accepted it? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 42

Clergy who rejected the Oath to the Civil Constitution were deprived of their offices and salaries.
Only 7 of 160 Bishops swore the Oath and only 55% of the Clergy.

Question 43

What powers over legislation and government did the King have? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 43

The King was granted a suspension veto, allowing him to delay any legislation from becoming law for up to 4 years. He was also given the right to select and appoint ministers to form a cabinet.

Question 44

What criteria did citizens have to fit to be considered active citizens? What rights did active citizens have? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 44

To be considered active citizens, citizens would have to be a male over the age of 25 who spoke French and paid direct taxes equal to 3 days’ labour. Active citizens were granted political rights AND civil rights.

Question 45

How was organisation of the judiciary changed? How was this fairer than the system of the Ancien Regime? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 45

Each département had a criminal court, with a dual jury system. One determined whether a case would go to trial, and one determined judgements. Meant that law was equally subjected to all citizens. JPs would oversee civil cases too.

Question 46

How were legal rights specifically reformed under the reforms of 1789-91? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 46

Every accused person was before a judge within 24 hours, all accused would be assisted by a lawyer, torture/branding/hanging all abolished and replaced by the guillotine, sentences made fair and proportionate for all.

Question 47

When were assignats first issued? What were assignats? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 47

Assignats were first issued in December 1789. These were government bonds issued to allow the purchase of church land by citizens, later used as paper money.

Question 48

What was the ‘Patriotic Contribution’ and why was it introduced? - Constitutional Monarchy

Answer 48

The patriotic contribution was a 25% tax paid over 2 years on all whose incomes exceeded 400 livres/year.

Question 49

When was the economic restructuring programme introduced? What did this propose? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 49

The economic restructuring programme, introduced in 1791, proposed a land tax, a property tax and a tax on commercial activities.

Question 50

What was Le Chapelier Law and when was it introduced? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 50

Le Chapelier Law was introduced in June 1791, which limited freedom of association, forbade workers from conducting strikes and forming trade unions to protect their rights.

Question 51

When was trade in grain deregulated? What impacts did this have? - Constitutional Experiment

Answer 51

The grain trade was deregulated in August 1789, with this leaving prices to the market rather than controls by the state.