French Revolution Flashcards
What was the stated goal of the French Revolution?
Fulfill the promises of universal human rights
What was the political ends for the revolution?
Constitutional government and broad political participation
What was the transformation in politics?
From absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy to republic to new constitutional monarchy to Napoleon the dictator
What was the transformation in social?
Equality to get rid of privilege in France and immplement social reform
What was the transformation in cultural?
Replace christianity with secular patriotism
How did the French kings of the period differ from other leaders?
They were not enlightened despots, which angered the people
When was the reign of Louis and Marie Antoinette?
1774 to 1792
How did Louis differ from previous kings?
He wasn’t very kingly since he prefered to be a family man, locksmith, foodie, and hunter. He’d rather be a leisurely aristocrat
Why was Louis a weak king?
He wasn’t decisive or charasmatic so he struggled to make clear policy
What was the struggle with Louis and Marie’s marriage?
They only married for political connections to austria
What were Marie Antoinette’s nicknames?
Madam Deficit and bitch
What did the philosophes first suggest to solve the cultural issues?
Specific reforms, not all out revolutions
What catalyzes and spreads information of disconnects from the monarchy
The public sphere that spreads info to the social elites
What happened in 1787?
The crown went bankrupt
What was a result of the Bankrupt crown?
increased unemployment and nationwide famine
Why was the deficit over 4 million by 1780
constant borrowing from banks and private lenders who hiked up the interest rates and debt fees
Who was the first economic advisor for Louis?
Jaques Necker
What did Necker do to hide the crown’s spending habits?
He published a fake budget alongside the real one to lead the nobles astray
Who replaced Necker?
Charles Calone
What were the two taxation issues?
Inefficient and unevely distributed
What was Calone’s strategy?
Encourage spending to make the crown look prettier than it truly was
What is the result of Calone’s strategy?
Outrages the aristocrats and runs out of loan sources
How were the taxes inefficient?
They were placed upon the serfs and the middle man scraped money off the top before delivering to the crown
How were taxes inefficient?
Many people, but not the poor, were exempt from taxes including military, guilds, and nobles
When did the economy officially crash?
1786
What was the Eden Treaty?
With England to allow importation of english textiles
Why were 1786 and 1788 unfortunate years for France?
Bad harvests that bred widespread famine
Out of how many adminitration offcies did 22 experience famine?
31
How much of the French population was in the Third Estate?
92.5%
What was the Assembly of Notables?
Elites and Antoinette brought together to solve the economic problems
Why doesn’t the Assembly of Notables solve the issue?
They refuse to reform taxes
After Assembly of Notables fails, what does Louis do?
He calls the Estates General to session
What was the issue with the Estates General?
There was only one vote for the entirety of the Third Estate
After the third Estate storms out of the meeting and returns, what did they find?
The doors were locked
When did the Tenis Court Oath occur?
June 20, 1789
What is Louis’ response to the Tenis Court Oath?
He reluctantly acknowledges the assembly while rallying his troops in Versailles
