The End of the Ancien Regime and the Constitutional Monarchy Flashcards
When did the Estates-General begin?
May 1789
When was the National Assembly formed?
17th June 1789
When did the Clergy join the National Assembly?
19th June 1789
Two days after its establishment
When was the Tennis Court Oath?
20th June 1789
What did the National Assembly promise never to disband until?
France had a new constitution.
When did the King recognise the National Assembly and permit voting by head?
27th June 1789, having declared it null and void at the seance royale on the 23rd June
Why was the King still not trusted despite recognising the National Assembly?
Rumours of plots to arrest deputies
30,000 troops stationed in and around Paris
Replacement of Necker with conservative Breteuil
What did the Parisian electors do on the 13th July 1789?
Set up the Commune to take control of the city following the breakdown of law and order.
Organised the establishment of a National Guard to police the city and protect Parisians from any action by the King
When was the Bastille stormed?
14th July 1789
When was the Great Fear?
July - August 1789
What happened in the Great Fear?
Peasants refused to pay tax
Peasants attacked homes of landlords
Grain stores looted
When did the National Assembly abolish feudal rights?
August 1789 - subsequently followed by the August Decrees
Why did the National Assembly abolish feudal rights?
To appease the peasants and prevent further rural disorder
To ensure that the peasants paid their state taxes
To further Enlightenment values
When was the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen” passed into law?
August 1789
What did the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen” do?
Summarised the revolutionaries ideals (L / E / F)
Provided a framework for the details of a new constitution
Promoted freedom of worship, expression and property ownership
Stated the power rested with the people
What happened during “The October Days”?
6000-7000 women marched from Paris to Versailles to confront the King, forcing him to accept the August Decrees and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen.
Why were peasants across France suffering?
Bad harvest of 1788
Depression in the textile industry
Why were the August Decrees significant?
Ended noble power, abolishing venality and tax privileges
Committed the majority of the peasants to the new regime
Cleared the way for a national, uniform system of administration
Why did the National Assembly try to change the Church?
Associated with the Ancien Regime
Prospect of financial gain
Changes to the Church prior to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy
All church property nationalised (November 1789)
Anticipated that it would raise 400 million livres
When was the Civil Constitution of the Clergy passed into law?
12th July 1790
What did the Civil Constitution of the Clergy stipulate?
Reorganised the administrative structure of the Church
Bishops and priests were to be elected
Clergy would become paid state officials
Significance of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?
Made the Church subservient to the state
eg. Oath
When did the King accept the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?
December 1790
When did the Assembly decree the oath to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?
November 1790
Impact of Church reforms
Large numbers of clergy fled abroad
Destroyed national unity, leading to counter-revolution and civil war
When did the King accept the Constitution of 1791?
September 1791
Features of the Constitution of 1791
Replaced an absolute monarchy with a constitutional one
Formed the Legislative Assembly, with elections every two years, creating a separation of powers (like USA)
King granted suspensory veto (everyone but taxation and constitutional matters)
King retains right to have his own cabinet of ministers
King now “King of the French”, rather than “King of France”
Conditions to be an active citizen
Male
Older than 25
Paid direct taxes equal to three days’ labour
What powers did the Constitution of 1791 grant the Assembly?
Make laws
Collect taxes
Decide on issues of war and peace