a) Origins Of The Revolution

Question 1

What was Louis XIV’s perception of the monarchy?

Answer 1

All power and authority flowed from the king

The king is divinely appointed by God to rule over his subjects

Question 2

What is an absolute state?

Answer 2

One in which a monarch wields unrestricted power over a state and it’s people

Question 3

When did Louis XVI become king in France?

Answer 3

1774 at the age of 20

Question 4

French society was divided into three estates, which were?

Answer 4

First estate - clergy

Second estate - nobility

Third estate - commoners and everyone else

Question 5

How did Louis XIV take away powers from the nobility?

Answer 5

By demolishing many castles and replacing nobles in the government with people loyal to him

Question 6

Between the 1730s and 1780s how many wars were France involved in?

Answer 6

Four wars

Question 7

Why did the French get involved in the American War of Independence?

Answer 7

To take revenge on Britain

Question 8

By the 1780s how much of France’s annual income was spent paying off debts?

Answer 8

Half the government’s 600 million francs annual income

300 million francs

Question 9

Why was Louis XVI unpopular in 1774?

Answer 9

1. His rule was autocratic - wanted to control everything

2. He was a feeble man - he possessed few leadership skills and was slow to respond to changing events

Question 10

Moves towards removing the king began with which social classes in 1787-8?

Answer 10

The privileged classes (nobles and clergy) refusing to comply with government demands for a property tax

Question 11

How did Louis XVI attempt to introduce reforms in 1787?

Answer 11

He tried to reduce the privileges of the nobility and lower the tax burden on the rural peasantry

Question 12

Why did Louis XVI’s ideas of removing the privileges of the nobility and lowering the tax burden on the poor not go down well?

Answer 12

The rural peasants had largely avoided paying taxes, so taxing the nobility caused considerable resentment towards the kings ministers

Question 13

What were the Parlements?

Answer 13

The 13 local courts of appeal. Their primary function was to register royal edicts.

There to ensure that the King’s laws were obeyed throughout the country.

Question 14

When was Calonne put in charge of finances?

Answer 14

1783

Question 15

What key ideas did Calonne have to acquire credit to service the monarchy’s debts?

Answer 15

1. Cut spending and raise income from the nobility through a new tax levied on annual land production
2. A direct tax on the church
3. Tax on all property

Question 16

When did Louis XVI and Calonne call for an Assembly of Notables and why?

Answer 16

January 1787 to avoid taking the plan to the Parlements (run by the nobility)

Question 17

Members from which estate were appointed to support Calonne’s tax plan?

Answer 17

Members from the third estate

Question 18

Why did the Assembly of Notables fail?

Answer 18

The attacks on the privileged were seen as unconstitutional.

Wanted the plans to be decided through an Estates General.

Question 19

When was Calonne sacked and who was he replaced with?

Answer 19

April 1787

Brienne (his modified plans were also rejected by the Assembly)