Orgins of the French Revolution

Question 1

List the 4 reasons why the French Revolution was necessary?

Answer 1

• Extortionate tax burdens
• wanted liberty not royal despotism
• End privileges of the nobility and catholic clergy

Question 2

Extortionate Tax Burdens…

Answer 2

Seven years war
- Lost
- Expensive
American wars of Independence
-Win
- Expensive
Crisis of the 1780s
- Poor harvest
- Economic downturn
- High unemployment

Question 3

Liberty not royal despotism

Answer 3

• Inability of the monarchy to raise money
• Budget deficit of 100 million lives out of 430 mill in tax rev
• Financial crisis triggered political crisis

Question 4

What did the Absolute Monarchy regime mean?

Answer 4

• Centralisation
• Censored Press
• Unlike in Britain the King did not have to work with a representative body

Question 5

Who was Marquis de Lafayette

Answer 5

• Hero of the American revolution who returned with more liberal political values
• In favour of the 1789 Revolution

Question 6

Key dates in the Opening of the Estates General Versailles

Answer 6

• 20th June: 3rd estate reps walk out and demand a constitution for the people
• 14th July: Bastille Stormed
• 4th Aug: Absolutism abolished
• 26th Aug: National assembly issues the declaration of the rights of man

Question 7

Declaration of the Rights of Man

Answer 7

• Men are born free and remain free and equal
• Aim of every political body is to preserve this declaration
• No individual can exercise authority
• Law is the expression of general will, all citizens can take part

Question 8

Conclusions made about the origins of the French revolution

Answer 8

• Revolution was bubbling before 1789
• Early revolution was made by the elites not the poor
• Regimes are most vulnerable to revolution when they are reforming.