T1: Onset of the revolution Flashcards
When does Louis agree to summon the Estates-General?
Aug 1788
Under that circumstances are the Estates-General called?
in times of national emergency to represent public opinion - in this case bankruptcy
What was the name of Abbe Sieyes’ publication in response to Necker asking for input on how the Estates-General should be organised?
What is the Third Estate?
who published What is the Third Estate?
Abbe Sieyes
When did Abbe Sieyes publish What is the Third Estate?
Jan 1789
What did Abbe Sieyes say in What is the Third Estate?
3rd Estate is the only legitimate estate, contributes most to French economy, should entirely replace 1st + 2nd estates
what was the name of the lists of grievances?
cahiers de doleances
when were the cahiers de doleances drawn up?
march-april 1789
what were the cahiers de doleances?
lists of grievances the people of France wanted to be discussed at the Estates-General
how did the cahiers represent a challenge to Louis’ power?
criticism of Louis allowed, voice given to all people
louis’ hopes vs reality for cahiers?
Louis had hoped Estates-General would mainly be a meeting about finance, but cahiers brought up many other concerns - many even called for a new constitution.
when and where did the Estates General convene?
Palace of Versailles 5th May 1789
how was voting done in the Estates-General? what was the consequence of this?
by Estate, not by head. meant 1st + 2nd would always be able to outvote 3rd
how many deputies did each estate have in the Estates-General?
3rd estate had twice as many as 1st + 2nd - meant to give equal say
what initially caused the most debate in the Estates General? what does this show?
how voting was carried out- many wanted it to be by head, rather than estate (including deps from 1st + 2nd) - showed desire for change
what did the 3rd Estate declare itself?
the National Assembly
when did the Third Estate declare itself the National Assembly?
17th June 1789
why did the Third Estate declare itself the National Assembly?
Louis had made no decisions regarding voting, ran out of patience
what did the National Assembly want to do and why did they believe they had the authority to do this?
said they were the body that would singly decide the constitution - they were the body that represented the largest proportion of the French people
what percentage of the population did the Third Estate make up?
98%
when did the First Estate vote to join the Third Estate in the National Assembly?
two days after it was formed- the 19th June 1789
what happened two days after the National Assembly was formed by the Third Estate?
the First Estate voted to join the Third Estate
what was the significance of the formation of the National Assembly?
substantial challenge to the power of the crown- attempting to make themselves the government of France
when was the Tennis Court Oath?
20th June 1789
what was the Tennis Court Oath?
oath sworn by deputies of the Third Estate that the members of the National Assembly should never separate and meet until new constitution settled
what was the significance of the Tennis Court Oath?
sworn as defiance against the king after it appeared as though he was trying to stop them meeting
how was the National Assembly legitimised?
Seance Royal - Louis proposed a package of reforms to the three Estates - incl some reductions of his power but insisted privilages of 1+2 Estates remain and that NA = illegitimate.
members of 1+2 joined NA in defiance.
Louis out-manouevred and ordered remaininig deputies to join NA.
what does Seance Royal mean?
royal session
when was the Seance Royal that legitimised the National Assembly?
23-24th June 1789
what was the significance of the legitimisation of the National Assembly by Louis?
gave away his power
when did Louis call troops into Paris and Versailles?
July 1789
why did Louis call troops into Paris and Versailles?
demonstrations had broken out in Paris support of the National Assembly and Louis feared open revolt
how many troops did Louis station outside Paris?
20,000
what city did Louis station 20,000 troops outside of?
Paris
what was the consequence of Louis’ stationing of troops in Paris and Versailles?
caused alarm and anger when tensions already high, contributed to the Great Fear
which cities did Louis station troops outside of in July 1789?
Paris and Versailles
when was Necker dismissed (for the second time)?
11th July 1789
why did Louis dismiss Necker?
due to his sympathies with the Third Estate
what were the consequences of Necker’s dismissal?
- triggered unrest in Paris due to anger
- demonstrations turned violent- some Parisians armed themselves and attacked customs posts
what is an example of violent demonstration in reaction to Necker’s dismissal?
armed Parisians attacked customs posts - incited by radical speakers at Palais Royal e.g. Duc D’Orleans, Desmoulins
what triggered violent demonstrations in Paris in July 1789?
Louis’ dismissal of Necker as finance minister
when was the storming of the Bastille?
14th July 1789
long and short term causes of storming of the bastille?
long: tensions - high bread prices and taxes
short: Necker’s dismissal
what was the symbolic significance of the Bastille?
fortress, symbol of despotism
what happened in the storming of the Bastille?
Governor of Bastille stabbed and seven prisoners liberated
what was the significance of the storming of the Bastille?
Louis had lost control of Paris and the political assemblies, no power in the capital
what was a consequence of the storming of the Bastille?
Parisian bourgeoisie concerned about civil anarchy so established the Paris Commune to govern the city
what did the Parisian bourgeoisie establish after the storming of the Bastille?
the Paris Commune
when was the Paris Commune established?
14th July 1789
when is the National Guard established?
15th July 1789
who is appointed commander of the National Guard?
Maquis de Lafayette
what body is the National Guard established by?
the Paris Commune
why does the Paris Commune establish the National Guard?
to keep order and protect interests of property owners against mob violence
is the National Guard revolutionary?
yes- answers to Paris Commune and National Assembly
no- created to keep revolution from getting too bloody
when was the Great Fear?
july-aug 1789
what happened in the Great Fear?
farmers and peasants armed themselves and attacked manor houses and burned feudal documents (destroyed symbols of despotism in the countryside)
what caused the Great Fear?
rumours that the aristocracy and king were conspiring to starve and burn out the 3rd Estate- due to kings stationing of troops in Paris and Versailles and events in Paris
was the 1789 revolution a republican one?
NO- still no calls for republicanism
what evidence is there for the 1789 revolution NOT being a republican one?
- tricolour flay contained white - colour of the Bourbon monarchy
- cahiers had favoured constitutional monarchy
