Success Of The Estates-General

Question 1

What was the impact of calling the Estates-General?

Answer 1

• 3rd estate believe their grievances would be listened to and addressed
• all cahiers had one thing in common: the absolute power of the King

Question 2

Why did the organisation of the EG cause tension?

Answer 2

• voting by head was promised but voting by order was enforced, rendering the extra deputies obsolete
• all 3rd estate deputies had to wear black and sit at the back of the sessions

Question 3

What were the problems with the Estates-General?

Answer 3

• no mention of the 3rd estate grievances/a new constitution
• Louis only talked about finance in his opening speech
• he fell asleep in the initial church service
• 3rd estate felt marginalised due to wearing all black

Question 4

How did the 3rd estate challenge the King’s authority at the EG?

Answer 4

• the 3rd estate wanted to have one huge discussion with the King with both 1st and 2nd estate (although they initially refused)
• deadlocked until 10th June
• 19th June: clergy voted to join 3rd estate
• 20th June: Tennis Court Oath sworn and National Assembly formed

Question 5

Why did the Crown’s response to the National Assembly/Tennis Court Oath anger people?

Answer 5

• Louis came down on the side of the privileged orders
• he did say that lettres de cachet would be abolished
• no new tax would be imposed without consent of nation’s representatives
• freedom on press would be introduce
• gabelle/corvée/trade barriers would be abolished
• they did not feel this was enough, as some clergy and nobles had now joined them

Question 6

What were the outcomes of Louis’ reforms?

Answer 6

• popular demonstrations in Paris in favour of the assembly
• 27th June: King said the nobles and clergy had to join the 3rd estate and voting by head would be enforced
• he also ordered troops to go to Paris and Versailles on 22nd June (nearly 4000 troops stationed around Paris)

Question 7

Why was the Estates-General called?

Answer 7

• assembly of notables had failed
• huge amount of grievance within 3rd estate
• financial/economic crisis
• Paris parlement, ministers and notables urged for it to be called