Pre 1789

Question 0

American war of independence, year and financial debt for France because of it.

Also, name an American leader in Paris

Answer 0

1776-1783

Resulted in a one billion pound debt with crippling interest repayments reaching a height of 50% of revenue.

Question 1

In regards to ‘the enlightenment’ who were some of the thinkers? Plus their works

Answer 1

Authors included:

Voltaire, criticised the wealth and opulence of the church and took up causes such as the Calas Case

Montesquieu, (the Persian letters) taught people to look critically at their own society and to criticise its pretensions

Rousseau, ( The social Contract) proposed the radical idea that if a ruler was not ruling well, then he broke the ‘contract’ by which his subjects owed him loyalty.

Others included:
Jean-Jacques, and Denis Diderot

They did not seek to overthrow the French monarchy, but simply to change it

Criticised the monarchy, espoused democratic, liberalist, nationalist, and socialist ideas

Question 2

Date of the first assembly of notables including when it was dissolved. Originally organised by who, what for?

Answer 2

February 22 1787, by Finance minister Calonne to endorse financial reform

Dissolved by Louis May 25 1787

Question 3

Name an example of financial burden for peasantry

Answer 3

Bread prices rose 50%

Land hunger ( many peasants had to rent land from land owners at high costs reducing ability to farm for food)