Reforms in the Church and State 1790-91

Question 1

How was local government reformed?

Answer 1

From May 1790:

1. France divided into 83 departments
2. Paris divided into 48 Sections
3. Power was decentralised

Question 2

How was taxation reformed?

Answer 2

1. The gabelle was abolished in March 1790
2. All the major unpopular taxes were abolished by 1791
3. New taxes - a land tax with no exemptions, a tax on movable goods, a tax on commercial profits
4. Failure - the tax system still relied on the old valuation of land, so it was still unfair

Question 3

How was the economy reformed?

Answer 3

1. More free trade
2. Guilds abolished in 1791
3. Trade unions abolished in June 1791

Question 4

How was the legal system reformed?

Answer 4

1. The guillotine was introduced as a more humane and fair way of killing people (1792)
2. feudal courts were abolished

Question 5

When was the Civil Constitution of the Clergy declared and what did this mean?

Answer 5

July 1790

1. The Church was separated from Rome, democratic and linked to the new system of local government, with one bishop per department
2. Priests were forced to swear allegiance to France in November 1790

Question 6

When did Pope Pius VI condemn the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?

Answer 6

March 1791