Political crisis

Question 1

Who took over from Calonne, and did he have any more success with the Assembly of Notables?

Answer 1

• Lomence de Brienne replaced Calonne
• The assembly of notables proved to be more cooperative

Question 2

What were the key elements of Briennne’s new reform programme?

Answer 2

• retain Calonne’s land tax
• end to rural financial officials
• reforming the army to make it more efficient and less expensive
• a new central treasury
• laws codified in a printed form accessible to those who needed to consult them

Question 3

How did the Parlement of Paris respond to Brienne’s prgramme?

Answer 3

• they refused and said that only the estates generals who represented the whole nation could consent to any new taxes

Question 4

What was the aristocratic revolt and what prompted it?

Answer 4

• Louis’ reaction was to exile parlement to Troyes on 15th August, his actions were considered to be high landed and the result was a revolt of the Nobility in the summer of 1788
• Riots occured in some provincial capitals where parlements met
• nobles and clergy supported parlement - betrayed the Crown

Question 5

What, in the end, forced Brienne in August 1788 to summon the Estates-General for May 1789?

Answer 5

• At beginning of August 1788 the royal treasury was empty, hence Brienne agreed with Louis’s reluctant approval to summon the estates-general for 1st May 1789

Question 6

Who returned to government in September 1788 following the resignations of Lamoignon and Brienne?

Answer 6

• King called Necker in belief that he was the only one who could restore the governments credit and raise new loans