reforms of national assembly Flashcards
What happened to Church property under the National Assembly?
All Church property became state property, and clergy were paid by the state.
What was the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, and why did it cause division?
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy required clergy to take an oath to the new constitution, leading to a split between ‘refractory’ and ‘constitutional’ clergy.
When were Protestants and Jews granted full civil rights in France?
Religious tolerance was introduced, giving Protestants (December 1789) and Jews (September 1791) full civil rights.
What was the main change to taxation under the National Assembly?
Everyone was required to pay taxes, and indirect taxes were abolished (e.g., the gabelle in 1790).
What were assignats, and how were they backed?
Assignats (paper money) were introduced, backed by the sale of Church land.
How was tax collection reformed under the National Assembly?
Tax farming was abolished, and taxes were collected by locally elected councils.
What changes were made to the judicial system under the National Assembly?
A uniform court system was introduced, including elected judges and trial by jury.
How did the new judicial system ensure fairness and equality?
Torture, mutilation, and indefinite detention without trial were abolished.
What was the main method of execution introduced in the penal code reforms?
The penal code was made more humane, reducing capital crimes and standardizing execution by guillotine.
When was the nobility abolished in France?
The nobility and parlements were abolished in 1790.
What did the Le Chapelier Law ban?
The Le Chapelier Law banned strikes and trade unions.
Why was poverty not effectively addressed by the National Assembly?
Despite acknowledging the problem of poverty, the Assembly lacked the finances to address it.
How was France administratively reorganized under the National Assembly?
France was divided into 83 departments for local government, further divided into districts, cantons, and communes.
Who were considered ‘active citizens,’ and what percentage of men could vote?
Voting rights were given to ‘active citizens’ (men who paid a certain tax level), representing 61% of men.
What was the potential downside of holding elections every two years?
Elections were held every two years to ensure political accountability but could cause instability.
What type of government was established under the September 1791 Constitution?
France became a constitutional monarchy, with the king titled ‘King of the French.’
How much was Louis XVI’s annual grant, and what restrictions were placed on him?
Louis XVI received a fixed annual grant of 25 million livres but could not use force or leave France.
What powers did the king retain under the new constitutional monarchy?
The king had the power of a suspensive veto for up to 5 years but had to take an oath or abdicate.
