6: The Attempts To Establish A Constituional Monarchy Flashcards
Why did the Assembly try to change the Church?
The association between the Church and the Ancien Regime, especially the privileges enjoyed by the first estate, made it an obvious victim of attack.
What could be gained from reforming the Church?
The Church had immense wealth which could help the financial crisis if taken over by the State.
What religious changes were brought about?
Pluralism, the tithe, and the don gratuit were abolished. All Church property was nationalised.
What was the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?
Reorganised the Church, making clergymen paid state officials and made bishops and priests elected positions.
What was the impact of the Constitution of the Clergy?
Made the Church subservient to the state, brought criticism from the conservative clerics.
Did Louis accept the Constitution of the Clergy?
He did, reluctantly, in December 1790.
What was the Oath to the Civil Constitution?
On the 27th November 1790, the Assembly announced the clergy had to swear an oath of loyalty to the revolution.
Was the Oath popular?
No, out of 160 bishops only 7 were prepared to take the Oath.
What happened to those that refused to take the oath?
Their income was stopped and they were forbidden from using religious buildings.
What was the impact of the Church reforms?
Many clergy fled abroad, joining the nobles who also fled. The conservative peasantry were alarmed and many felt dissuaded from the revolution due to the measures.
What were active and passive citizens?
Active: Males over 25 who spoke trench and paid direct taxes; could vote.
Passive: Everyone else, who couldn’t vote.
When did Louis reluctantly accept the Constitution?
September 1791.
What happened to the provinces?
They were abolished in November 1789, and instead France was divided into roughly equal areas for administrative purposes.
What legal rights were established?
- Every arrested person was to be brought before a judge within 24hrs
- The accused were to be provided a lawyer
- Torture and hanging were abolished
- Sentences were to be fair/proportionate
What three taxes were brought in in the new economic restructuring programme?
A land tax
A property tax
A tax on commercial activity
