How far were the causes of the revolution a question of economic decline, rather than political discontent? Flashcards
1.6% state revenue
Percentage of state revenue that came from direct land tax - burden falls to Third Estate
Taille
Direct land tax (only paid for by Third Estate)
What years was there mass agricultural decline? Bad harvests
1778-9 1781-82 1785-86 1787
what was prominent in the decade leading up to the revolution ?
Bad harvests
How did harvest failure affect working classes in towns?
Bread constituted main proproption of their diet. When harvest failed = wheat prices increased and so did bread prices - 50%
what happened to the agriculture in 1788?
crops were destroyed and became more scare and expensive
between August 17788 and March 1789 how much did the price of bread rise ?
over 50%
what did the rise in bread prise do to the economy ?
led to people having less ability to buy other goods, poverty rose due to the lack of demand for manufactured goods meaning urban unemployment increased
why could the enlightenment be said to not have added to the reasons for revolution ?
it didnt reach the vast majority of the population as peasents were genrally illiterate and the pamphlets etc werent acessible in rural areas
Who were tax farmers?
people that went around collecting taxes, it was a hereditary role and people were usually corrupt and abused their positions. As there was no one to over look their positions = little central regulation from the crown, could;d easily abuse their position
what % of the state revenue came from land and what did this mean ?
1.6% , meant the richest paid the least = put pressure on 3rd estate
why did France get involved in the American War of Independence and how many Livres did they spend to support America ?
Louis XVI wanted to weaken Britain and so allied with America, 1.3 billion Livres spent to support
why did France get involved in the American War of Independence and how many Livres did they spend to support America ?
Louis XVI wanted to weaken Britain and so allied with America, 1.3 billion Livres spent to support
What % of state expenditure went towards the debt caused by the American Revolutionary war and what did this mean for France ?
50%, meant little public spending and made a bad economic climate
what did fighteing with the Americans emphasie to frwench citizens ?
the free and equale ideology and motivation behind the revolutionary war
43% state expenditure
State expenditure committed to debt by 1780 - state spending more than income
Venality
Offices and positions in royal court could be bought from the Crown by wealthy members of Third Estate buying into the Second Estate (gain their privileges)
How many bought titles during the 18th century (venality)
30,000-50,000
effect of venality
provided short-term income yet detrimental effect as the tax-paying wealthy members of the Third Estate became exempt from tax as members of the Second Estate - also meant positions based on wealth rather than merit = corruption
In the short term this brought income but in the long term it had a detrimental effect as people buying exemption from tax meant less people providing. In such environment, the Revolution was able to flourish.
6% expenditure
Spending at court - came under increased scrutiny from bourgeoisie (suffering economic decline) and nobility (feared for stability of nation)
what was the Gabelle ?
indirect tax on salt in France, 3rd estate ( made it hard as salt was used to preseve foods
What was the vingtieme?What was the taille?
Direct income tax, 3rd estate paid it 2nd and 1st were exempt with Don gratiut
What was the taille?
Direct Land tax fot the 3rd estate
