Chapter 6: The attempts to establish a Constitutional Monarchy Flashcards
What about the church did the NA want to change?
- Philosophes disapproved of the churches power.
- Finances - wanted to take the churches money.
- Church’s temporal power.
Biens nationaux.
Church goods now national goods.
Assignats.
Revenue from church land used as paper money.
What reforms were made leading up to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?
- Churches feudal rights abolished.
- Abolished 1st and 2nd estates tax privileges.
- Church property seen as biens nationaux - nationalised.
- Monastic vows not legally binding.
- Tithe and church tax abolished.
- Full citizenship granted to Protestants.
Civil Constitution of the Clergy date.
12th July 1790.
Civil constitution of the clergy.
- 1 bishop per departement.
- Clergy’s salaries paid by gov.
- Bishops elected- DON’T HAVE TO BE CATHOLIC.
- Clergy had to swear oath of loyalty to king,nation law and NA.
What was the initial reaction to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?
- Pope disagreed but didn’t publicise views as didn’t want to lose his territory.
- Conservative/ higher ranked clergy also disagreed.
- Louis reluctantly accepted it Dec 1790.
When was the Oath to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy decreed?
November 1790.
Juring/constitutional clergy.
Took the oath.
- 50%-60% of parish priests.
- 7/160 bishops.
Non-juring/refractory priests.
- Didn’t take oath.
- Removed from posts.
- Mainly higher up clergy.
What were the consequences of being a refractory priest?
- Removed from posts.
- Income stopped.
- Eventually could be deported.
What were the consequences of being a juring priest?
Suspended by the pope (who was against rev) unless renounced oath.
What were the impacts of the civil constitution of the clergy and other reforms to the church?
- Clergy fled abroad.
- Conservative Catholics wrongly thought NA trying to change their faith so hated them.
- Increased counter-rev.
- Destroyed national unity.
What impacted the writing of the 1791 constitution?
- Enlightenment.
- American revolution and constitution.
What did the NA set up to write the constitution?
Preliminary constitution committee.
What 2 groups did the preliminary constitution committee divide into?
- Monarchiens - wanting King to have a lot of power (eg/ absolute veto).
- Group led by Sieyes - wanting the King to have very limited power.
Who was given the right to vote according to the constitution of 1791?
Active and passive citizens were established; only active citizens (male and pay an annual tax equivalent to 3 days labour) could vote.
What role was Louis given in the constitution of 1791?
- ‘King of the French’ not ‘King of France’.
- Could appoint ministers.
- 5 year suspensory veto.
How did Louis betray the constitution?
Fleeing too Varennes.
What powers do the elected assembly have due to the constitution of 1791?
- Make laws.
- Collect taxes.
- Decide on wars.
From the end of 1789, how was France administratively organised?
83 departements,
then divided into districts,
then into communes.
What was a council responsible for?
- Law and order.
- Collecting taxes.
- Construction of roads.
From the end of 1789, how was France governed (on a local level)?
- 1 local gov per commune.
- 1 elected council per département.
What was the problem with decentralisation?
Not always enough educated people to fill offices, especially in rural communities.
Canton.
Group of communes.
How were courts organised?
- JP’s - minor civil cases.
- District courts - more severe civil cases.
- 1 court w/ jury per département for criminal cases.
- 1 central high court.
Tribunal de cassation.
Central high court of appeal.
What were the legal rights for criminals?
- Accused had to be brought before a judge within 24hrs of arrest.
- Whole case public info.
- Accused assisted by a lawyer.
- 1792 - Guillotine only form of capital punishment.
- Every accused treated fairly and equally.
What did the 1791 economic restructuring programme involve?
- Land tax.
- Poll/ property tax.
- Limited commercial activity tax.
What were the main economic changes made by the NA in 1789-91?
- Price of wheat up to market not central controls.
- All corporal bodies abolished eg/ monopolies.
- Church wealth turned into assignats.
- One off 25% income ‘contribution’ paid over 2 years.
What changes were there to society during 1789-91?
- Individual rights protected by law.
- People generally considered equal. eg/ called each other ‘citizen’ instead of lower class saying ‘master/mistress’.
- Strikes forbidden.
- Bourgeoise benefitted most.
