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A-Level History > French Revolution, Points Test 5 – The Downfall of the Ancien Regime > Flashcards

French Revolution, Points Test 5 – The Downfall of the Ancien Regime Flashcards

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1
Q
  1. When was the procession of the Estates-General?
A
  1. When was the procession of the Estates-General?

4th May.

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2
Q
  1. How many representatives were at the EG?
A
  1. How many representatives were at the EG?

1200.

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3
Q
  1. How were the members of the EG dressed?
A
  1. How were they dressed?
  • All dressed according to regulations: cardinals in red capes, archbishops and bishops in purple cassocks.
  • Other clergy in cassocks and flowing cloaks.
  • Nobles, sporting matching cloaks and waistcoats decorated in gold.
  • Third estate dressed in black, a short cloak, muslin cravat and a hat on three sides.
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4
Q
  1. How did Louis open the session on 5th May?
A
  1. How did Louis open the session on 5th May?
  • 1st session began 5th May, all deputies gathered together at Versailles.
  • Louis XVI opened session with address.
  • Explained the circumstances leading to the meeting, and what he expected from the EG.
  • Emphasised he was ‘the first friend of the people.’
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5
Q
  1. Which other person spoke, apart from Necker?
A
  1. Which other person spoke, apart from Necker?

• Followed by speeches from Charles de Baretin, the keeper of the privy seal.

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6
Q
  1. What was problematic about Necker’s speech?
A
  1. What was problematic about Necker’s speech?
  • Necker spoke about the kingdom’s economic situation, and the need for new taxes.
  • Although the 3rd estate appeared to listen patiently, even cheering the king, the long speeches failed to settle their most pressing concerns.
  • No agenda put forward for a ‘reform package’ with positive policy proposals for discussion.
  • No clear indication given of procedures to be adopted (so 3rd estate didn’t know how meetings would proceed or how voting would take place).
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7
Q
  1. Why were the next few weeks extremely frustrating for the 3rd Estate, esp. with the verification of credentials?
A
  1. Why were the next few weeks extremely frustrating for the 3rd Estate, esp. with the verification of credentials?
  • Several weeks of delay, frustration and anti-climax followed the opening.
  • Deputies’ first task to verify the credentials of those elected.
  • 1st and 2nd estates prepared to meet separately to do this.
  • 3rd estate refused, claiming they should all meet as one body.
  • Thus, a simple technical procedure became entwined with a deeper concern.
  • 3rd estate reps refused to carry out the verification procedure until a definite statement of voting by head was guaranteed.
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8
Q
  1. How did Sieyés prove very influential at this point during the verification of the EG’s credentials?
A
  1. How did Sieyés prove very influential at this point?
  • Argued the third estate ‘the nation’ and could act alone if others refused to join it.
  • Some clerics persuaded, and joined them on week of 10th June, but no nobles.
  • Prompting from Sieyes in part helped third estate to declare itself ‘The National Assembly.
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9
Q
  1. What was the size of the vote to form the National Assembly on 17th June 1789?
A
  1. What was the size of the vote to form the National Assembly on 17th June 1789?

• By vote of 491 to 90.

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10
Q
  1. Why was the formation of the NA so important for the downfall of the Ancien Regime?
A
  1. Why was this so important for the downfall of the Ancien Regime?

• Effectively, asserting right to represent the nation and make decisions about the future of the French state.

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11
Q
  1. How did representatives of the other estates begin to join the NA?
A
  1. How did representatives of the other estates begin to join it?
  • Other estates again invited to join.
  • 19th June, the clergy did so.
  • Followed by some of the more liberal nobles over the next week.
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12
Q
  1. Why was the king’s attention not focused fully on the EG at this point in June 1789?
A
  1. Why was the king’s attention not focused fully on the EG at this point?

• The King’s attention had been focused on his eldest son Louis-Joseph, who died of TB of the spine on 4 June 1789.

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13
Q
  1. Persuaded by Necker that he needed to present a clear reform programme to the deputies in a royal session, why did the preparations for session anger the National Assembly?
A
  1. Persuaded by Necker that he needed to present a clear reform programme to the deputies in a royal session, why did the preparations for session anger the National Assembly?
  • Arranged for 23rd June.
  • Before the royal session could take place, there needed to be some alterations to the room where the national assembly had been meeting: the Salon des Mesus Plaisirs.
  • On 20th June 1789, when national assembly deputies arrived, found the doors to the room locked.
  • They feared the worst.
  • Not having been informed offended them.
  • Doubly alarmed by the presence of royal soldiers and the fear the king might forcibly dissolve their assembly.
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14
Q
  1. Where did the National Assembly go instead to meet, and what did they do there on 20th June?
A
  1. Where did the National Assembly go instead to meet, and what did they do there?
  • They determined to meet elsewhere, but rain too heavy to march to Paris.
  • Led by elected president Jean-Sylvain Bailly, they made their way to the nearest available indoor space, which happened to be the royal tennis court.
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15
Q
  1. Who was Bailly?
A
  1. Who was Bailly?
  • Jean-Sylvain Bailly (1736-1793) an astronomer, elected as 3rd EG deputy.
  • Became first president of the National Assembly.
  • Presided over the tennis court oath.
  • Became the first mayor of Paris (1789-91) under the new commune and presented Louis XVI with a revolutionary cockade in July 1789.
  • However, attacked by radicals such as Demoulins as being too conservative.
  • Lost popularity after ordering the dispersal of the crowds at the Champs de Mars in 1791.
  • Retired, but in 1793 was asked to testify against Marie-Antoinette.
  • He refused and was guillotined.
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16
Q
  1. What was the Tennis Court Oath, and why was it so revolutionary?
A
  1. What was the Tennis Court Oath, and why was it so revolutionary?
  • In the tennis court, members of the national assembly swore the ‘Tennis Court Oath’, by which they promised never to disband, wherever they met, until France had a new constitution.
  • This declaration a direct challenge to the position of the king.
  • The formation of the national assembly and accompanying oath thus represent the first revolutionary actions.
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17
Q
  1. Why was the Royal Session of 23rd June such a failure, despite Louis’ acceptance of the principle of consent to taxation and the acceptance of a fairer land tax based on the value of land, rather than social status?
A
  1. Why was the Royal Session of 23rd June such a failure, despite Louis’ acceptance of the principle of consent to taxation and the acceptance of a fairer land tax based on the value of land, rather than social status?
  • However, deputies incensed by his continued use of the term ‘Estates-General’.
  • Also by his demand that the Estates should continue to meet separately.
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18
Q
  1. How did the 3rd estate representatives show their defiance on 23rd June?
A
  1. How did the 3rd estate representatives show their defiance?

• At the end of the session, members refused to leave, openly defiant.

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19
Q
  1. What convinced the king of the need to call in troops to the outskirts of Paris, and how many extra did he call?
A
  1. What convinced the king of the need to call in troops to the outskirts of Paris, and how many extra did he call?
  • Over next days, constant meetings held at Palais-Royal, where orators such as Camille Demoulins stirred up fury against the Court.
  • Wary of this, and conscious state finances weren’t improving, the king brought in 4800 extra troops to Paris.
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20
Q
  1. How did Louis demonstrate his inability to prevent the National Assembly from being recognised, at least temporarily?
A
  1. How did Louis demonstrate his inability to prevent the National Assembly from being recognised, at least temporarily?

• On 27th June, Louis rescinded the orders of the royal session, recognising the national assembly and permitting voting by head.

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21
Q
  1. Why were many deputies nonetheless suspicious of Louis’ concessions to the NA?
A
  1. Why were many deputies nonetheless suspicious of this?
  • However, few deputies still trusted the king, and steady flow of troops increased their suspicions.
  • Rumours of lots to arrest deputies, destroy Assembly or cut off grain to starve Paris to submission.
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22
Q
  1. Why did Paris feel very threatened by Louis’ actions?
A
  1. Why did Paris feel very threatened by Louis’ actions?
  • By 4 July just under 30,000 troops in and around capital.
  • Many foreign mercenaries, since the king couldn’t rely on loyalty of French troops.
  • With artillery batteries on high ground over the city, little wonder tensions ran high.
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23
Q
  1. Who was Desmoulins?
A
  1. Who was Desmoulins?
  • Camille Desmoulins (1760-94) had been a lawyer in the Paris Parlement.
  • Nominated as deputy, but unable to take seat due to illness.
  • Inspired by political excitement, wrote impassioned articles for Mirabeau’s paper.
  • Gave impassioned speeches at the palais-royal and wrote radical pamphlets.
  • Given the nickname ‘The lantern lawyer’ because he advocated hanging nobles from lampposts.
  • Became a deputy in the National Convention in 1792.
  • Voted for the king’s execution.
  • Opposition to the extremes of the terror led to his own execution by guillotines in April 1794.
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24
Q
  1. What action angered the Parisians and how did this/economic conditions encourage them to take radical action?
A
  1. What action angered the Parisians and how did this/economic conditions encourage them to take radical action?
  • King’s dismissal of Necker on 11 July (replacement with conservative Breteuil) seemed to confirm popular fears that the king was seeking ways to prevent reform.
  • Came at time of high political agitation in the city.
  • Also when economic conditions at low ebb.
  • By 14 July, highest bread prices since 1715.
25
Q
  1. What was Paris like in July 1789?
A
  1. What was Paris like in July 1789?
  • Paris 20km from Versailles.
  • Thriving printing industry.
  • Many skilled artisans lived in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, around the royal bastille prison.
  • Parisians reliant on regular employment for survival.
  • High literacy rate (50% men 25% women).
  • C.600,000 lived in close proximity, the wealthy had moved out, and 39% had no property on marriage.
  • All food supplies subject to Octrois (entry taxes) at customs posts around city.
  • Rumour spread easily: rioting fairly common occurrence.
26
Q
  1. Why did bread prices play a key role in the actions of the Parisians in July 1789?
A
  1. Why did bread prices play a key role in the actions of the Parisians at this time?
  • Bad harvest pushed up bread prices.
  • Rumours that corn dealers and speculators were hoarding grain to push up prices.
27
Q
  1. What occurred on 12-13th July in Paris as a result of rumour and the fear gripping the city?
A
  1. What occurred on 12-13th July in Paris as a result of rumour and the fear gripping the city?
  • 12-13 July saw the breakdown of order in Paris as rumours spread and mobs started raiding sword-smiths and gun-shops to arm themselves in case of a royal assault.
  • Crowds also flooded to the hated customs-posts (barriéres).
28
Q
  1. What was the bastille, and why was it so hated?
A
  1. What was the bastille, and why was it so hated?

• The Bastille was a Parisian Fortress-Gaol where the king traditionally placed political prisoners. Situated in the Faubourg Saint Antione, home to many working people, who saw it as a symbol of despotism and the Lettres de Caches.

29
Q
  1. How many customs posts outside of Paris did the people destroy?
A
  1. How many customs posts outside of Paris did the people destroy?

• They destroyed 40/54 of these.

30
Q
  1. Why were the Parisians not stopped from sacking the customs posts?
A
  1. Why were they not stopped?

• Royal troops failed either to take action or, in a few cases, joined the rioters.

31
Q
  1. How was the Parisian Commune formed?
A
  1. How was the Parisian Commune formed?
  • Some Parisian electors met at the Hotel de Ville (Town Hall).
  • They set up a committee (the Commune) to take control of the city.
32
Q
  1. What was the ‘National Guard’?
A
  1. What was the ‘National Guard’?

• Organised the establishment of a National Guard of Volunteers, which would ‘police’ the city, restore order, protect property from attack, and (if necessary) protect the Parisians from any actions by the king.

33
Q
  1. Why did Parisians intend to attack the Bastille?
A
  1. Why did Parisians intend to attack the Bastille?
  • Paris needed weapons to defend itself.
  • 14 July, crowd of 8,000 descended on Les Invalides, where 32,000 muskets and some artillery was found.
  • Useless, however, without gunpowder.
  • Word spread there were stores at the Bastille.
  • Swelling crowd, accompanied by members of NG and Commune, went there.
34
Q
  1. How was the Bastille taken?
A
  1. How was the Bastille taken?
  • While the governor the Marquis de Launay spoke to some Commune Representatives, he was determined not to surrender the fortress.
  • However, he failed to act quickly enough.
  • As a result, some forced their way into the courtyard.
  • There was an exchange of fire.
  • De Launay was captured and decapitated, and his head put on a pole.
  • Thought around 70 of the attackers were also killed.
35
Q
  1. How did Louis respond/was forced to respond?
A
  1. How did Louis respond/was forced to respond?
  • The King persuaded to go to Paris on 17th July.
  • Along with members of the Assembly.
  • Addressed the Parisians from the steps of the hotel de Ville.
  • Bravely appeared, sporting the revolutionary cockade, alongside the new mayor of Paris Bailly, and Lafayette.
  • Announced reinstatement of Necker and acceptance of the NG, the Paris Commune and the NA.
36
Q
  1. Who made up the National Guard from 1789-1792 (before its composition changed?).
A
  1. Who made up the National Guard from 1789-1792 (before its composition changed?).
  • The National Guard formed in 1789
  • Came largely from the soldiers of the Garde Grancaise that had defected to the revolutionary cause.
  • Rapidly copies in cities and towns all over France.
  • Voluntary militia groups united under command of Lafayette in 1790.
37
Q
  1. Who was imprisoned in the Bastille?
A
  1. Who was imprisoned in the Bastille?

• Although the Bastille was associated with political prisoners, only 7 were discovered, one an insane Irishman who alternatively believed he was Julius Caesar or Jesus Christ.

38
Q
  1. Why was the fall of the Bastille symbolically important?
A
  1. Why was its fall symbolically important?

• Destruction more symbolic than practical, demonstrating the king’s total loss of authority.

39
Q
  1. How did the developments in Paris in July 1789 affect the municipalities/towns around France?
A
  1. How did the developments in Paris affect the municipalities/towns around France?
  • In towns across France, angry mobs attacked the houses of magistrates and royal officials, forcing them to flee.
  • Old municipal town councils reformed or replaced.
  • National Guard units (town militias) set up to maintain a ‘citizens’ authority.
40
Q
  1. Who was it who led the ‘Municipal Revolts?
A
  1. Who was it who led the ‘Municipal Revolts?

Townspeople, the Bourgeoisie (as per the NG formations).

41
Q
  1. Why did peasants in the countryside likewise revolt, and how did they do so?
A
  1. Why did peasants in the countryside likewise revolt, and how did they do so?
  • Peasants believed the changes reported from the capital would mean the end of their burdens and bring imminent new wealth and status.
  • They therefore refused to pay taxes and attacked their landlords’ chateaux.
  • They armed themselves, rang the church bells to warn others of danger and burnt down hedges, fences and barns.
  • They sought about all their masters’ terriers (deeds listing landlords’ feudal rights) and the titres de ventes et devoirs (records of sales and obligations), recording dues owed.
  • Naively, the peasants believed that if these were destroyed, their feudal obligations would be too.
42
Q
  1. How did long-term factors play into peasant discontent in 1789?
A
  1. How did long-term factors play into peasant discontent in 1789?
  • Underlying the disorder were economic issues: 1788 spring drought followed by a poor harvest and a bad winter.
  • There were also longer-term political factors, such as the drawing up of the cahiers de doléances and the subsequent elections which had contributed to the general expectation of reform.
43
Q
  1. How did rumour fuel the Great fear?
A
  1. How did rumour fuel the Great fear?
  • The ‘Great Fear’ (La Grande Peur) which gripped the country during the weeks between 17 July and 3 August 1789 actually driven by a rumour.
  • This was all the more credible, given the increase in the number of wandering labourers and beggars in the countryside at this time.
  • Stories circulated of marauding brigands (often deemed to be in league with nobles) stealing grain or preparing to attack farmers.
  • Others suggested that nobles who had fled abroad back with foreign armies, ready to seek vengeance on peasants for events in Versailles and Paris.
  • Grain merchants and aristocratic landlords were, it was said, making vast profits out of the scarce grain, so it was only right to attack the grain convoys.
44
Q
  1. Which three areas were not touched by the Great Fear?
A
  1. Which three areas were not touched by the Great Fear?

• Alcase, Lorraine and Brittany.

45
Q
  1. How did the Assembly respond to the ‘Great Fear’ on 4 August 1789?
A
  1. How did the Assembly respond to the ‘Great Fear’ on 4 August 1789?
  • In attempt to appease peasants and prevent rural disorder, the National Assembly abolished Feudal Rights.
  • This decision driven probably by the need to get the peasants to pay their state (royal) taxes (as opposed to their feudal ones), as by a patriotic desire to further enlightenment values and improve the peasants’ lot.
46
Q
  1. Why was this assembly session so dramatic? (on 4th August 1789?).
A
  1. Why was this assembly session so dramatic?
  • Some plans had clearly been drawn up before 4 August by Vicomte de Noailles and the Duc d’Aguillon, Lafayette’s brother-in-law and one of the richest landowners in France. Nevertheless, the Assembly session was an emotional one.
  • The privileges of the nobility and many of those of the church stripped away.
47
Q
  1. What decrees were issued over the subsequent days from August 1789? Name any relevant ones.
A
  1. What decrees were issued over the subsequent days? Name any relevant ones.

o All feudal dues relating to service abolished without compensation to landlords.
• All other dues redeemable by payment of compensation to landlords.
• Exclusive rights to own pigeons and dovecotes abolished.
• Exclusive rights of hunting and hunting preserves abolished.
• All seigneurial courts abolished, with no compensation.
• All tithes/fees abolished.
• All loans/harvest shares could be bought back.
• No more venality: Justice free.
• No payments to priests.
• All citizens would pay the same tax on everything.
• All specific privileges from provinces to communities were abolished.
• All citizens were to be eligible for all ecclesiastically, civilian, and military positions.

48
Q
  1. When was the ‘Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen’ made and passed by the National Assembly?
A
  1. When was the ‘Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen’ made and passed by the National Assembly?

• 26 August.

49
Q
  1. Why, when initially presented with the AD and DRMC, did Louis refuse to accept these?
A
  1. Why, when initially presented with these, did Louis refuse to accept these?
  • In refusing this, Louis suggested that his former acceptance of the NA was in doubt.
  • It was quite possible he hoped that doing this would divide revolutionaries and cause them to collapse.
  • Almost certainly being told to stand firm by his wife, brothers and the court party.
  • He was probably wrestling with his own conscience too. To concede such measures went strongly against his own sense of duty. It also went against his belief in his Divine Right.
50
Q
  1. What did the Assembly offer Louis in August 1789, which he resented as a curb on his power?
A
  1. What did the Assembly offer Louis, which he resented as a curb on his power?
  • Louis remained hesitant as the Assembly agreed to measures to curb the king’s power.
  • They offered him a ‘suspensory veto’, rather than an absolute one.
51
Q
  1. What action did Louis repeat in Oct 1789, that angered people greatly?
A
  1. What action did Louis repeat, that angered people greatly?
  • In October he was again seen summoning troops back to Paris.
  • Fears that the Assembly would be closed down soared again.
52
Q
  1. What occurred at the banquet to celebrate the return of the Flanders’ regiment in Late September?
A
  1. What occurred at the banquet to celebrate the return of the Flanders’ regiment in Late September?
  • The soldiers’ toasts and oaths of loyalty to the king, coupled with reports that they had desecrated the revolutionary tricolore, produced intense public outrage.
  • The radical papers, such as Marat’s L’Ami du Peuple) told horror stories about the banquets.
  • Its sumptuousness, especially at a time of severe austerity, provocative.
  • However tempers raised by (probably embellished) tales of drunken officers had stamped on the tricolore cockade and sworn an allegiance solely to the Bourbon royal family.
53
Q
  1. What was the background to the march to Versailles on the October Days?
A
  1. What was the background to the march to Versailles on the October Days?
  • The idea of a march to Versailles seems to have been formed at the beginning of October.
  • Women, struggling to get bread, despite a relatively good 1789 harvest, anxious to take part.
  • Many of them wished to confront the hated Marie-Antoinette.
54
Q
  1. When did the Women’s march set out, and how big initially was the crowd?
A
  1. When did the Women’s march set out, and how big initially was the crowd?

• On 5 October, 6000-7000 people (women in the majority) set out.

55
Q
  1. Why did Lafayette and the NG follow during the October days?
A
  1. Why did Lafayette and the NG follow?
  • Lafayette followed with contingents of the national guard as a precaution, to ensure no harm befell the king and that order was maintained.
  • His men compelled him to go to lead them, and he feared for the safety of the royal family.
56
Q
  1. How did this pressurise Louis to concede, and what did Louis concede?
A
  1. How did this pressurise Louis to concede, and what did Louis concede?
  • The crowds gained admittance to the palace by force and pressed Louis for action (nearly killed Queen).
  • Louis promised more grain for the Parisians, and forced to accept the DRMC and August Degrees.
  • Under intense pressure after some of his bodyguard were killed and their heads impaled on pikes, he also agreed to the crowds’ demand that he and his family move to Paris.
  • Lafayette’s guard restored order, but it was a tense time.
57
Q
  1. How did Louis return to Paris after the October Days, and where did they go?
A
  1. How did Louis return to Paris, and where did they go?
  • On 6 October the royal family escorted back to Paris.
  • By mob of women and national guards, treated more like prisoners than royalty.
  • Taken to the Tuileries Palace, which had been abandoned 100 years previously and had since housed royal pensioners and members of the royal staff.
58
Q
  1. Where did the Assembly go after the October Days?
A
  1. Where did the Assembly go after the October Days?
  • 2 weeks later the Assembly also moved to Paris, since business was really impossible without the king.
  • They took makeshift premises, at first in the palace of the Archbishop of Paris, subsequently in the royal riding school the Manége.
59
Q
  1. Why were the Parisian crowds much more potentially politically powerful at this point due to the October Days?
A
  1. Why were the Parisian crowds much more potentially politically powerful at this point due to the October Days?
  • It seemed as though direct action by Parisian crowds had overcome the frustrations and hesitancies of the politicians and the king.
  • With both the court and the Assembly in Paris, the future of France was no longer likely to be left merely to the discretion of the deputies; both king and politicians were now subject to the constant scrutiny of the Parisian mobs.

A-Level History (54 decks)

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