C1: The Assembly of Notables...The October Days

Question 1

When was the Assembly of Notables summoned?

Answer 1

It was summoned in 1787 on the advice of Calonne and consisted of 144 members.

Question 2

What were the three proposals of Calonne in the Assembly of Notables?

Answer 2

(1) A new, uniform land tax ending privileges.
(2) Elected local assemblies to assess and administer the tax
(3) The end of the forced labour on the highways (the Corvée) and reform of the complex customs that inhibited trade.

Question 3

Why was the Assembly of Notables seen as “surprising”?

Answer 3

It turned out to be more radical than expected and did not always defend privilege, but demanded change.

Question 4

What did the AoN expect in return for accepting new taxation laws?

Answer 4

Representation: there were demands for extending the local assemblies and for calling the old parliament – the Estates General.

Question 5

What was the result of the AoN?

Answer 5

The Assembly ended in stalemate and Calonne was dismissed in April 1788.

Question 6

When was Calonne dismissed?

Answer 6

1788

Question 7

What did de Brienne propose as Calonne’s successor and were they successful?

Answer 7

He proposed a remarkable series of changes including a uniform land tax. They did not receive approval from the AoN who insisted only an Estates General could make them lawful.

Question 8

Did the parlement support or oppose Brienne’s reforms? Why?

Answer 8

They opposed the reforms, arguing that they increased royal power too much

Question 9

How did the King respond to Brienne’s proposals?

Answer 9

The King declared the reforms registered at a Séance Royale.

Question 10

When and why did Brienne resign?

Answer 10

Brienne resigned on 26 August 1788, when the Government could not borrow enough money to maintain spending in a credit crisis.

High bread prices fuelled urban unrest in later part of 1788 –> attacks on tax offices in the countryside.

Question 11

When did Necker return to office and what position did he have?

Answer 11

Controller General and member of the Council of State in 1788.

Question 12

The King and Necker _________ the representation of the Third Estate and allowed a surprising amount of people to vote in 1789.

Answer 12

doubled

Question 13

Any _________ over _______ and who was on the tax rolls, but who was not a servant, an actor, or a bankrupt, could take part in the parliamentary meetings.

Answer 13

Man + 25

Question 14

What were the cahiers?

Answer 14

“The wishes and grievances of our people”

Question 15

What were the King’s ministers blamed for at the Estates General?

Answer 15

The financial crisis and it was agreed that new taxes were needed.

Question 16

What was the outcome of the cahiers?

Answer 16

(1) emphasised the social divides within France
(2) revealed the key issue of how voting would take place in the Estates General
(3) The exercise stirred up a great deal of interest in possible reform

Question 17

What did the government restrict in the hope of getting tax reforms passed?

Answer 17

They restricted representation from the wealthier, higher clergy in the hope of getting tax reforms passed.

Question 18

What was the first action of the Estates General?

Answer 18

The King ordered each estate to proceed to its own meeting hall to verify the credentials of those attending – immediately provoking unrest.

Question 19

What caused the tennis court oath?

Answer 19

On 20 June, the National Assembly found itself locked out of its usual meeting hall.

Question 20

What was the purpose of the “Tennis Court Oath”?

Answer 20

The NA swore to not disperse until they had given France a new constitution. The Estates General was a “national assembly” and “nothing can stop it continuing in its deliberations”

Question 21

P28

Answer 21

P31