Louis' failed attempts at reform Flashcards
Why did Louis call the Estates-general? What is the Estates-General?
Called them in May 1789
Estates general= call representatives from all over France who have equal representation.
He called them because taprooms were trying to change the fundamental elements of society (the Ancien regime). He needed a larger power behind him.
What did the calling of the Estates-General cause?
Public began to wonder why they didn’t always use a system like the estates general.
The estates general had not been called for over 100 years.
How are the estates general elected?
All adult males of the 1st 2 estates had a vote-elected deputies
3rd estate all men over 25 could take part in primary assemblies (meeting places) if they paid land tax. This got rid of the very poor population. These men chose representatives, those representatives elect deputies who were sent to the estates general.
Parliament’s role in setting up the Estates general, and why was this not thought through?
Parliament announced in Spet 1788 that estates generals would follow procedures laid down similarly to the last time they were called in 1614, with equal representation of 1 vote per state.
However, it divided thise who worked together for their rights (1st and 2nd estate)
Why were the King and Necker’s compromise meaningless?
They doubled the 3rd estate representation, which was meaningless as they still only had 1/3 of the vote.
Influential pamphlet in 1789
Abbe Sieyes in January 1789 published ‘What is the third estate?’
-What is the Third estate? Everything
-What has it been until now? Nothing
-What does it want to be? Something
The rise of the radicals was caused by what?
‘What is the Third Estate?’
Group of liberal nobles and middle class activists formed a group named what? What did they campaign for?
Society of Thirty (Société des Trente)
Encouraged members of 3rd estate to fight for their rights by printing pamphlets and holding meetings
Wanted to double Third Estate representation and individual voting.
What were Cahiers de doleances? How many were produced?
Third estate cahiers were compilations of complaints to be sent to the governments and discussed at the Estates general.
40,000 produced
What were the responses in the Cahiers de doleances like?
The majority did not propose radical change. But rather were polite and expressed their loyalty to the King.
The third estate for Carcassonne promised their ‘beloved monarch’ the ‘unmistakable proof of its love and respect’.
Some criticised the estates general and how infrequently it was held and how unequal it was.
The three main grievances were about taxation, the seigneurial system, and the payments to the Church. (Markoff) More than 75 percent of the responses called for changes in seignurealism.
Some of the answers reflected local, specific concerns
What were the responses in the Cahiers de doleances like?
The majority did not propose radical change. But rather were polite and expressed their loyalty to the King.
The third estate for Carcassonne promised their ‘beloved monarch’ the ‘unmistakable proof of its love and respect’.
Some criticised the estates general and how infrequently it was held and how unequal it was.
The three main grievances were about taxation, the seigneurial system, and the payments to the Church. (Markoff) More than 75 percent of the responses called for changes in seignurealism.
Some of the answers reflected local, specific concerns.
Why did the Estates general fail? What happened to cause the ending of the meetings of the Estates general?
3rd Estate was becoming increasingly radical, inspired by ‘What is the Third Estate?’
The start of the Estates general was so bad that Louis lost his momentum: there was no real plan, Necker delivered an awful speech, the King’s son was ill
Third estate insisted that the credentials of all deputies should be check in the Estates generals. The other estates refused as they sensed a trap, rejected it by 133-114, the second estate rejected it by 188-46. The third estate declared they wouldn’t continue without meeting all the estates.
Who was vocal for the 3rd Estate in the Estates general?
Mirabeaux
Advocated for a constitutional monarchy and tried to mediate between monarchists and the revolutionists.
Elected president of the National Assembly in 1791 but died shortly after.
What was the Assembly of Notables? What happened when it was called?
12 dozen members of the aristocracy and high clergy.
Called by Calonne in response to the financial crisis. Had no constitutional authority.
Calonne’s proposed reforms were rejected by the Assembly, most notably the idea of limiting the first and second estate’s taxation privileges and a new land tax to be introduced.
The Assembly were hostile to tax the church. They believed the situation was not bad enough to change the country in such a dramatic way. In response, Calinne said that Necker’s Compte Rendu was an error which he was attacked by Necker for. The Assembky agreed with Necker and further disliked Calonne.
Duc d’Orleans
One of the main critics in Paris of the King
Outspoken
Despised by Marie-Antoinette as she thought he was the leader of their ‘tasfailure’
Temporarily exiled for challenging the King’s authority before the Parliaments of Paris.
