General Facts Flashcards
When was Louis 16th crowned King and how old was he?
- 1774
- 20 years
When was Estates opened- last time it was opened?
- 1789
- 175 years ago
Who was Louis 16th wife
- Marie Antoinette
- married him aged 14
- Austrian; part of Hapsburg empire
- had four children
- known as ‘Madam deficit’ due to ridiculous spending during bankruptcy
What is Louis 16th typically portrayed as
- weak, stupid, indecisive
- didn’t want to take on the throne, didn’t feel ready or understand it
- didn’t focus, had other interests (locksmith)
- couldn’t cope with the unfolding of turbulent events
- failed to provide sufficient leadership; couldn’t back his ministers, couldn’t control 3rd estate riots
How was the country split in class?
- 1st estate; Clergy
- 2nd Estate; nobility
- 3rd Estate; the rest
How was the government before 1789
- Ancien regime
- absolute monarchy; King could only answer to God and all authority in the crown
- absolutism; King answered to no one on earth
What did King Louis 15th say that is an example of absolutism
“Sovereign power resides in my person alone… The power of legislation belongs to me”
Who was the controller-general
- Royal finances
- dealt with King individually, not part of cabinet system of government
How was France decided?
- 34 areas; Generalites
- for collecting taxes and other functions
- all areas had an intends to
What taxes did the higher classes not have to pay?
- Taille
- Gabelle
- Vingtieme
What was the ‘Taille’
Land tax- mainly on peasants paid
What was the ‘Vingtieme’
- 5% tax on income
- 3rd estate paid
What was the ‘Gabelle’
- Salt tax
- as salt was very important in preserving food
What was venality
- buying ones way into certain jobs and offices that are supposed to be inherited or earned
When does Louis VXI marry Marie Antoinette and what were their ages?
- 1770
- Louis; 15
- Marie; 14
