Causes Of French Revolution (Key Events) Flashcards
Compte Rendu
1) Date
2) What happened
3) Importance
1) February, 1781
2)
- Director-General of Finances, Jacques Necker, reported that France had a 10 million livre surplus
- France was actually severely in-debt, Necker published report to boost confidence among people
3)
- Boosted Necker’s reputation
- After Necker’s dismissal, people believed France’s finances hit rock bottom because of his removal
Diamond Necklace Affair
1) Date
2) What happened
3) Importance
1) 1785
2)
- Cardinal de Rohan tricked by con artist into buying Queen Antoinette a 2 million livre necklace
- Antoinette did not want it, however
3)
- People saw Antoinette as trying to satisfy her hatred for Rohan, and wasting money while doing so
- Popular opinion turned against the Queen (vindictive slut)
Calling of the Assembly of Notables
1) Date
2) What happened
3) Importance
22nd February, 1787
2)
- Calonne attempts to address the financial problem by calling the AON
- Calonne suggests introduction of; land tax on everyone, election of local assemblies, replacement of corvee with single stamp duty
- Notables refused to give up fiscal privileges
- Demanded calling of Estates-General
3)
- Calling of AON first time since 1626 shows country’s desparation
- Notables seen as first revolutionaries
- Calonne loses popularity
- Challenge of Louis authority
- Estates-General is called
Louis’ Lit de Justice
1) Date
2) What happened
3) Importance
6th August, 1787
2)
- Louis uses absolutism to force parlements to register edicts
3)
- Louis seen as oppressing the people
- Resistance to ancien regime
Exile of Parlements
1) Date
2) What happened
3) Importance
1) 15th August, 1787
2)
- Following resistance to lit de justice, Parlements are exiled to Troyes
- Are restricted from meeting together
3)
- Hero of the people exiled
- People become enraged with Louis
Harvest Crisis
1) Date
2) What happened
3) Importance
1) 1788
2)
- Hailstorms destroy crops, and drought follows
- Failed harvests result in starvation and death
- Price of bread increases (80% of wage)
3)
- People become desparate
- Need for change recognised
Doubling of Third Estate representation
1) Date
2) What happened
3) Importance
1) 27th December 1788
2)
- At the behest of the AON, doubles Third Estate to 600 members
- Rivals 300 First Estate + 300 Second Estate
3)
- Political empowerment for Third Estate
The Pamphlet War
1) Date
2) What happened
3) Importance
1) May 1788-April 1789
2)
- 4000 pamphlets + 250 newspapers published
- Spread enlightened ideas, complains, and political theory
3)
- Attack on social/political order
- Expression of need for reform
- Unity behind cause
What is the Third Estate?
1) Date
2) What happened
3) Importance
January 1789
2)
- Pamphlet published by Abbé Sieyès
- Listed the dissatisfactions of the Third Estate
3)
- Created inspirational voice that rallied the Third Estate
- Flipped societal principles upside down
- Influenced political resistance and empowerment of Third Estate
Cahiers De Doléances
1) Date
2) What happened
3) Importance
January 1789
2)
- Submission of letters from towns all around France
- Voiced all of the Estate’s grievances against France’s economy/society
3)
- Rallying voice for the French people against the ancien regime
- Sign of civil liberty, challenging authority
Convening of the Estates-General
1) Date
2) What happened
3) Importance
1) 5th May 1789
2)
- EG meets
- Voices dissatisfaction of 3rd Estate being politically inferior to 2nd and 1st Estate
3)
- EG assembles
- Sign of progression/change
Death of the Dauphin
1) Date
2) What happened
3) Importance
4th June 1789
2)
- Louis eldest son dies
- Louis goes into retreat
3)
- Allowed for the NA to gain power
- Louis’ omission was the only reason the NA were able to gain popularity, and not be dispelled
Third Estate declares itself the National Assembly
1) Date
2) What happened
3) Importance
17th June 1789
2)
- Third Estate declares it is the National Assembly
3)
- Movement for civil liberty
- Push for freedom
- Challenged ancien regime
Tennis Court Oath
1) Date
2) What happened
3) Importance
20th June 1789
2)
- National Assembly locked out of chambers
- Convene at local indoor tennis court and take oath
- Led by Mirabeau and Sieyes
- Swear to not dispel until France had a constitution
3)
- Defiance of King
- Sparked rioting across France for constitution
- Challenged idea of King’s Divine Right, stating NA was supreme power
Seance Royale
1) Date
2) What happened
3) Importance
1) 23rd June 1789
2)
- NA met with Louis and demanded they accept their demands (freedom of press, citizenship)
- Refused to leave until he accepted
- Louis let them stay
3)
- King seen as weak
- NA more powerful that King
