Experiments with the constitutional monarchy Flashcards
How had politics changed significantly by 1791?
1791 Constitution: Louis subordinate to the National assembly.
The introduction of a democratic policy whereby deputies are elected.
How can it be argued that politics had not changed significantly by 1791?
The democracy was very restricted: creation of active and passive citizens. An individual must be paying 54 days of labour in tax- this ensured that Sans culottes could only vote in the first tier of elections.
How can you say there was significant religious change by 1791?
2nd November 1789: All church land nationalised.
52% of all of this land was bought
by peasants.
The weakening of the spiritual monopoly of the catholic church:
December 1789: tolerance to protestants.
1791: Tolerance to all religions.
1790: The Civil Constitution of the Clergy.
How can it be argued that religion had not been changed by 1791?
The clergy were very hostile to the CCC- prevented its dismantling, 55% refused to take the oath.
How had France changed economically by 1791?
1789: Abolition of indirect taxes such as the gabelle, free grain trade- this challenged the strict regulation under the AR.
1790: All internal customs barriers abolished.
How can it be argued that the economy did not change from 1789-91?
1791: Chapelier law forbade associations of workers, it allowed for the dominance of the Bourgeoisie over the Sans Culottes.
Why could the Civil war in France in 1793 be considered the most significant threat to government?
The nobility in the war had military experience and were therefore able to successfully organise armies and tactics.
100,000 men had to be brought from the front lines of the war, therefore internal war hindered the external war effort, it threatened the stability of both France’s internal and external affairs.
How could it be argued that the civil war in 1793 was not the most significant crisis facing the government in 1793?
It was geographically limited, it was centred in Western France, it bordered onto no other countries and therefore no foreign armies were able to exploit it. Furthermore the fact it did not spread would suggest the support for it was not widespread.
How could war abroad be considered to have been the most significant threat faced by the government in 1793?
The War of the first coalition: French losses at Neerwinden and Louvain.
Dumourez defects to the Austrians in April.
23rd August 1793: Levee en Masse, the strain from the war leads to internal chaos.
How could it be said that external war was not the most significant crisis faced by the government in 1793?
Controlled by France’s impressive war effort: by the end of 1793 the army had over 1 million soldiers.
Disloyal members were dismissed and replaced by new generals.
Under the organisation of Carnot, organisation and results began to improve.
How can it be said that Sans Culotte action was the most significant crisis faced by the government in 1793?
Enrages encouraged riots, provoking chaos and political stagnation.
The Girondins were effectively brought down by the Sans Culottes, Marat blamed the Girondins for France’s problems.
9-10th March on GIrondins printing presses.
3rd May: Sans Culottes storm the convention.
2nd June: 80-100,000 Sans Culottes storm the convention- Girondins expelled.
How can it be argued that the Sans Culottes were not the most significant crisis faced by government in 1793?
They were centred in Paris, the Federalist revolt reflects the widespread backlash to SC action- 60 of 83 departments protested against Girondins.
Could be that they were motivated by war, at the beginning of 1793, whilst the Girondins were in power, the war was not going well.
How did Louis concede to the demands of the deputies in the seance royale?
- He agreed that no taxes would be imposed without the consent of the nation.
- Lettres de chachet would be abolished
- freedom of press
- Galebbe and corvee would be abolished
How did Louis show unwillingness to compromise in the royal session?
- continued to use the term estates general, would not accept NA
- Refused to talk about changing privileges.
Who were the citizens milita?
When were they created?
What can be said about people’s fears in Paris?
Soon to be called the national guard
June 1789
Reflected that poeple in Paris believed they needed to protect themselves militarily against Louis’ regime.
What were the social reasons for the storming of the Bastille?
- It was a symbol of monarchal power
- Tied in with economic reasons
- Atmosphere of fear, over 20,000 troops in Paris by 6th July.
- rumour spread easily and rioting was common
What were the economic reasons for the storming of the Bastille?
- Fears of decreasing wages
- Bread prices the highest they’d been since 1714
- Increased migration to Paris
- Bad harvests of 1788
- Rumours that grain dealers and speculators were hoarding grain.
- decrease in textiles industry
What were the political reasons for storming the Bastille?
- Politicisation of the third estate
- 60% literacy rates in Paris allowed for understanding of the situation
- Cahiers
- Palais royal open for anyone
- Society of 89 held meetings to explain to lower classes the political situation
Give three examples of the ‘municipal revolution’ sparked in France in July 1789.
Rennes: Soldiers refuse to defend cities under royal authority from crowds.
Dijon: overthrown completely.
Rouen: Grain stores raided.
(Bordeaux: seized by its committee)
What did the August decrees state?
- Tithes abolished
- Venality abolished
- Financial and tax privileges abolished
- Citizens to be taxed equally
- Everyone born equal
Briefly summarise the DOROMAC contents
- All men born free and equal
- Liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression.
- Sovereignty rests with the people.
- Freedom of worship
- Freedom of expression
- Freedom to own property
Why did the national assembly nationalise church land?
- To help solve the financial crisis, income was around 400 million livres.
- To break the spiritual monopoly of the catholic church..
What was the socio-economic situation of the October days?
-Food shortage, whilst Louis held a banquet.
What was the political context of the October days?
- Louis began summoning troops back to Paris and there were fears the National Assembly would be closed down.
- Louis’ power had been curbed
What was the result of October Days?
- Louis brought to Paris
- Louis passes August decrees and DOROMAC
- The Parisians had humiliated and ignored the assembly.
What religious reforms were made between 1789 and 1790?
- Abolition of pluralism
- Ending of annates
- Abiltion of the tithe and the Don gratuit
- Synods were abolished
- Church property was nationalised
What was the effect of the abolition of pluralism?
Made for more equality in the church, people couldn’t hold more than one office
