Lecture 5 Flashcards
why was the french revolution significant
hugely significant moment
demonstrated that age only monarchies and rulers and religious control could be demolished
nothing was permanent
the french revolution changed the way people think; giving ride to a series of new systems (e.g. nationalism, etc)
what were the long term consequences
financial crisis
political cricis
crisis of public opinion
how was the financial crisis increased
Govt. debts increased by Seven Years’ War (1756-63; loss of Canada and India) and American War of Independence (1776-83).
when did the 7 years war happen
1756-63
what was the result of the 7 years war
loss of Canada and India
what was La Marseillaise
context; invasion of france by prussian and other forces to stop Louis the 16th
first sung as a marching song
became a patriotic rallying cry for the revolution and became the anthem later in 1775 (I think)
how did the American War of Independence increase financial problems
france joined them to try and get back at the british, but the americans succeeded and the french just went into even more debt
when was the american war of independance
1776-83
what was the political crisis
Resistance of the parlements (esp. Paris Parlement) and other vested interests to reform during reigns of Louis XV (r.1715-74) and Louis XVI (r.1774-92); policies of Jacques Necker defeated
what was included in Resistance of the parlements
(esp. Paris Parlement)
any attempt to reform went to the resistance
(note: parliaments means;this means judicial things
they rejected any laws they considered to be flawed)
why did the political crisis happen during the reign of Louis XV
was 5 years old when he took the thrown, and the parliament took the advantage to have more power as a child was ruling the kingdom
when did Louis XV reign
1715-74
when did Louis XVI reign
1774-92
who was Jacques Necker and what did he try to do
louis’ finance minister
tried to help finances, and all the people who held power (people who had given the king money) resisted, and the monarchy failed
what was the crisis of public opinion
Growth of Enlightenment-inspired public debate and pamphleteering; (physiocrats); Marie Antoinette and “Diamond Necklace Affair”, 1785; resentment by 3rd Estate of nobility’s privileges
how did the enlightenment influence the people
people attacked/moved against the king an his ways they attacked his decision to remove the price controls of reign, which kept the price of bread down which is one of the staples of their diet the prices (short term) of bread skyrocketed, and contrasted this with the diamond necklace affair
what was the Diamond Necklace Affair (1785)
idea that Marie Antoinette spent 2 million pounds on a necklace, this was a false allegation but everyone believed it
why did the 3rd estate resent the nobility
clergy in first
nobles in second
everyone else in third
the upper third= bankers and such were actually more rich than the nobles and they resented the privileges of the nobles as they thought it to be unjust and bad
what are physiocrats
believed that agriculture was the source of all wealth and should be taxed/priced very high
when did the Paris Parlement refused more loans
1785
what was the deal with Paris Parlement refusing more loans;
refuse to approve
this means the government had no way to finance the country
so the parliament agreed to a new short term load, if and ONLY if, the king agreed to allow for the estates general to meet again (for the first time in years since it was banned)
when was the estates general called
1785
what were some major short term problems
Terrible economic conditions and high bread prices; peasants’ grievances against seigneurial dues, salt tax, corvée, etc.; cahiers de doléances.
–Debate over format of Estates General, which met in May 1789; Third Estate walked out and, led by Mirabeau and Abbé Sièyes, swore Tennis Court Oath, 20 June, declaring themselves the National Assembly
what was the deal with salt tax
people were required to buy 7 lbs of salt from the government every year
