d) 1789-91 Dismantling & Rebuilding The System

Question 1

By late 1789, France still lacked what?

Answer 1

A constitution

Question 2

Why did intellectuals want a constitution?

Answer 2

To establish a rule of law and defend the new system against a power seeking ruler or a counter-revolutionary

Question 3

Why did large property owners want a constitution?

Answer 3

Wanted a strong legal system in order to protect their property from the masses

Question 4

How did the National Assembly restructure the local authorities and feudal estates?

Answer 4

Decentralised system

83 departments

547 districts

Can’t run everything through the central city, manage things locally through small local organisations.

Question 5

In 1791, the Assembly introduced what 3 taxes with no special exemptions?

Answer 5

Land

Income

Property tax

Question 6

Decisions were made by who?

Answer 6

Representatives of all citizens

Question 7

Why was it harder in rural areas to find people capable of managing the administrative tasks?

Answer 7

People lacked abilities to read and write

Question 8

Before 1789, how much French land did the Church own?

Answer 8

10% of French land was owned by the Church

Question 9

The National Assembly passed a decree in Nov 1789 confiscating what from the Church?

Answer 9

All of the Church’s property

Question 10

When did the Assembly introduce the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?

Answer 10

July 1790

Question 11

What changes were introduced in the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?

Answer 11

• State payment from clergy
• Remove papal control of church
• Ensure the clergy live and work in their parish
• Reduction of bishops from 135 to 83
• Bishops and priests elected locally

Question 12

How did reform of the church help to support the revolution?

Answer 12

1. The assembly needed money - revenue generated by sale of church land helped finance the new regime.
2. Many of the poorer clergy supported the reforms - all of the clergy were now salaried employees of the state.
3. New support for the revolution - purchasers of the church land wouldn’t want to have to give land back.
4. Church was now below the state - weakened the power of senior members who opposed the revolution.

Question 13

How did the reforms of the church hinder support for the revolution?

Answer 13

1. It divided the church - half the clergy refused to swear the oath of loyalty to the constitution.
2. New opposition to the revolution - the controversial split in the church provided new counter-revolutionaries.

Question 14

What is the laissez faire approach in regard to economy?

Answer 14

Leave it be approach.

Let companies decide what they do and pick their own prices.

Question 15

What economic reforms were introduced by the Assembly in 1790?

Answer 15

• Ending of price controls
• Abolition of internal tariffs
• Guilds were abolished

Question 16

The August Decrees did what to privileges?

Answer 16

Abolished all privileges

Question 17

What is the difference between active citizens and passive citizens?

Answer 17

Active Citizens - had the right to vote as long as they were:

Male and 25+

Living in their own house (not a servant)

Paying taxes worth 3 days labour

(included about 4.3 men)

Passive Citizens - did not have the right to vote

Question 18

What was the Civil Constitution and when was it introduced?

Answer 18

September 1791

Attempted to establish a liberal Bourgeoisie constitutional monarchy

King is allowed to retain a veto

Still envisaged a limited monarchy

Question 19

When did the National Assembly become the National Legislative Assembly?

Answer 19

1791