French Revolution (Lesson 4) Flashcards
What are the Estates General
This was a general assembly that represented The Clergy, The Nobility, The Commoners
When was the last time the Estates General met prior to 1789
1614
Why had Louis XVI agreed to summon the Estates General in 1789
Louis was hoping that the general would swiftly meet and discuss the states finances. This would allow him to introduce new taxes
What were the cahiers of the Estates General demanding when they met in 1789
They were demanding a new constitution from Louis XVI
Who is Abbé Sieyes
He was a senior clergyman who created the pamphlet “What is the 3rd Estate?”
What does the pamphlet “What is the 3rd Estate” outline
This essentially states how 3rd Estate is “everything” within France however they are nothing in the eyes of the 2nd and 1st Estate
How many deputies were the 1st Estate represented by
303 deputies
How many deputies were the 2nd Estate represented by
282 deputies
How many deputies were the 3rd Estate represented by
578 deputies
How was voting controlled in the Estates-General
The 3rd Estate was provided with double the amount of deputies as the 2nd and 1st Estate. This in theory would provide equal voting however it was later decided that voting would be by estate but not by head.
Essentially the estates would converse and provide 1 vote for each estate
What did the voting system within the Estate-General allow
It allowed the 1st and 2nd Estate to outvote the 3rd Estate due to having similar interests
Why did Louis fail to exert his influence over the Estates-General
Due to the death of his son and heir. Therefore he made no judgement on how voting should be organised
What did the deputies in the 3rd Estate declare on the 17th of June
That they were National Assembly.
What was the National Assembly
The National Assembly was the body that represented the greatest proportion of French people and therefore they would decide the future of the French constitution
What is the Tennis Ball Court Oath
Louis calls all estates to present proposed changes.
Twist of events present as when the 3rd estate arrived the doors to that palace were locked.
The deputies were eager to meet so they convened at a handball court
What is the Bastille
Huge fortress used to imprison royal prisoners
When was the Storming of the Bastille
14th July 1789
What were the events of the Storming Of The Bastille
Parisan demonstrators demand entrance into the Bastille.
When refused by De Launy, he was stabbed and his head was put on a spike
What was the real objective of The Storming Of The Bastille
To obtain the gunpowder which was stored within the Bastille
