5: The Revolution (May-October 1789)

Question 1

When was the first session of the Estates-General?

Answer 1

5th May 1789

Question 2

What happened on the 17th June?

Answer 2

The 3rd Estate votes by 491 votes to 90 to call itself the ‘National Assembly.’ Messages

Question 3

What did the third estate naming itself the ‘National Assembly’ mean?

Answer 3

It meant the third estate was asserting its right to represent the nation.

Question 4

What happened on the 19th June 1789?

Answer 4

The other estates were invited to join, and the clergy did so along with some liberal nobles.

Question 5

When was the reform programme meant to be announced by Necker to the Estates General?

Answer 5

23rd June 1789.

Question 6

What happened when the Dauphin died?

Answer 6

Louis’ son died on the 4th June 1789 due to tuberculosis. It has been argued that this distracted King from the political developments of the time.

Question 7

What happened on the 20th June 1789?

Answer 7

On the 20th June 1789, alterations were being made to the room the ‘National Assembly’ had been meeting in, and they thought Louis was trying to dissolve their assembly. They swore the ‘Tennis Court Oath’-promising never to disband until France had a new constitution.

Question 8

What happened at the royal session on the 23rd June?

Answer 8

Louis accepted the idea of a land tax based on land value, but he refused to accept the name ‘National Assembly.’

Question 9

What did Louis do on 26th June?

Answer 9

He brought 4800 extra troops to Paris.

Question 10

What happened on the 27th June 1789?

Answer 10

Louis recognised the National Assembly, and voting by head.

Question 11

Why did tensions raise by July 1789?

Answer 11

There were over 30,000 troops in Paris, many were foreign mercenaries. Rumours of Louis trying to destroy the Assembly were common.

Question 12

When was Jacques Necker dismissed and what was it’s impact?

Answer 12

Becker, who was popular with the people, was dismissed on 11th July. This seemed to confirm fears the King was trying to prevent reform.

Question 13

What happened from the 12-13th July?

Answer 13

Parisians, fearing a royal assault, started raiding gun shops and sword-smiths.

Question 14

What was the Paris Commune?

Answer 14

Parisian electors set up a committee to take control of the city, organising a National Guard to police the city, protect property from attack and people from the King.

Question 15

What first happened on the 14th July 1789?

Answer 15

A crowd of 8000 raided 32,000 muskets, but needed gunpowder.

Question 16

What happened next on the 14th July 1789?

Answer 16

A crowd ascended on the Bastille, decapitating the Governor and stealing the gunpowder.

Question 17

What happened on the 17th July?

Answer 17

Louis have a speech in Paris announcing the reinstatement of Necker, his acceptance of the National Assembly, Paris Commune and National Guard.

Question 18

What happened in the countryside?

Answer 18

Peasants thought changes in Paris would mean the end of their burdens-they refused to pay taxes and attacked landlords chateaux.

Question 19

What caused the troubles in the countryside?

Answer 19

The 1788 drought brought about bad harvests, but also the cahiers de doleances which brought about political expectations.

Question 20

What duration was the Great Fear?

Answer 20

17th July - 3rd August

Question 21

What were ‘brigands’?

Answer 21

Myths of men stealing grain from the fields or farmers, said to be in league with nobles.

Question 22

What happened on August 4th 1789?

Answer 22

The Assembly abolished feudal rights in an attempt to calm the events of the Great Fear, as many had stopped paying taxes.

Question 23

What decrees were released over the next few days? (4 points)

Answer 23

• All feudal dues were abolished
• All citizens would pay the same taxes
• All tithes were abolished
• All seigneurial courts were abolished

Question 24

What was the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen?

Answer 24

Passed on the 26th August, summarised revolutionary ideas for a new constitution.

Question 25

Did Louis accept the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen and the August decrees?

Answer 25

No, which created doubt for his previous revolutionary sentiment.

Question 26

What did the Assembly offer the King?

Answer 26

A ‘suspensory veto’ instead of an absolute one.

Question 27

What happened on the 5th October 1789?

Answer 27

7000 people marched on Versailles to protest grain shortage and Louis’ refusal to accept the August Decrees and Declaration of Rights.

Question 28

What was the aftermath of the march on Versailles? (2 points)

Answer 28

• The royal family were held under house arrest in the Tuileries Palace.
• The power of Parisians mobs were also affirmed.