long term factors of revolution Flashcards
intro
context- organisation of gov and society in France before 1789, known as ancient regime or old system
-three very unequal estates, gov chaotic and corrupt, under the absolute control of king Louis XVI with divine right
factors- financial issues taxation and corruption grievances of third estate role of royals position of nobility and clergy
loa- financial issues most important
financial issues
k- largely in debt, foreign wars, Austria (1940-48) and then Britain, war of seven years, (56-63) costing estimated 2.8 billion lives
k- crown borrowed from international banks but didn’t solve problem, added interest, France had bad central bank which made raising funds more tricky
a- enourmous and growing all the time, meant that taxes had to be raised, falling on third estate and with country starving, caused for irrational, desperate thoughts and resentment of the regime
a+- financial issues not new and were most pressing problem for France before Louis was king
financial problems ev
more sig when considered marked up from 1289
tax and corruption
k- direct (main) tax only paid by peasantry, poll tax was paid per head but the nobility avoided it and the clergy didn’t pay any tax
k-tithes supposed ti go to priests, relieve the poor and repair churches, most pocketed by the bishops
a- tax system was chaotic and inefficient, as lots wasted and too many people exempt. threat as crowns spending was so obscure that they had to continue to raise taxes and add to the already corrupt system, caused huge unrest
a+- existed in all monarchic societies in Europe, third estate had always burdened most taxes, so this feeling of needing to be more equal came from elsewhere
taxation and corruption ev
criteria- caused by financial issues
(financial issues more important)
increasing severity, declaring bankruptcy in 88- caused taxes to increase in order to raise funds, that the resentment of the old regime came around
role of royals
k- king could have anyone imprisoned without trial, had divine right to create law, lit de justice
k- luxury lifestyle palace de Versailles
k- unpopularity for Marie Antoinette, obscene spending, Austrian heritage and no male heir
a- extravagant expenditure threw France into deeper financial crisis. although very powerful king, was not a dictator, expected to run a fair system and protect human rights, but third estate felt their rights not represented
a+- Louis was seen to be appointed by God- unlikely that devote citizens of France would have gone against God’s representative.
role of royals ev
criteria - caused by financial issues
(compared with finance)
as royals across Europe and in France always lived lavish lifestyles for centuries before Louis, with the country suffering from lack of finance due to debt and eden treaty, is how the ancient regime was most at threat
position of nobility and clergy
k- clergy comprised first estate and had 170,000 members
k- in return for their societal contributions and big privileges- didn’t have to do military service, criminal clergy only tried in special church courts
k- nobility second estate and made up 1.3% of France, owned 20% of the land in France
a- privileges were resented by the peasants as they had big tax exemptions, third were bering the burden while the nobility enjoyed no responsibility
a+- first and second estate were open to some level of reform when calonne suggested changes and made up less population would have less power in per head voting
role of clergy/ nobility ev
criteria - number of people affected
(compared to taxation and corruption)
the tax burden on France affected 98% of the population making up the third estate whereas the nobility had less than 500,000 members and despite angering the third estate with their tax exemptions, they were not a key cause of the revolution as were uninvolved in the tax system or how it was decided, that blame would fall on king Louis
grievances of third estate
k- 98% of population in France, vast majority were peasantry but also skilled and unskilled urban workers
k- bourgeoisie were top level, often business owners and could be wealthy, could buy way into nobility. but still had no political votes or rights
a- resented tax exemptions that nobility and clergy got
a- bourgeoisie resented limited career progression despite education and being bale
a- growing discontent as Poor harvests and inflated prices led to desperation
a+ urban workers unlikely to call for changes as long as employment was steady as they were in such a vulnerable position
a++- bourgeoisie could buy nobility and venal offices, saw that they could progress through the ancient regime
griveneces ev
criteria - desiring fundamental change
(compared to role of clergy and nobility)
clergy, open to some level of reform, perhaps some of Calonnes suggestions but first priority was protecting their privileges, wouldn’t have wanted top rock the regime at all. peasantry were undoubtedly desiring reform but couldn’t have the resources to call for revolution, bourgeoisie marxist historians argue that B engaged in class struggle with aristocrats, b won due to the financial position weakening the first two estates
conc
finance tax grievances role of royals nobility and clergy
