The Revolution (May-October 1789)

Question 1

When did the first session of the Estates-General take place at Versailles? - The Revolution

Answer 1

The first session of the Estates-General took place on the 5th May 1789.

Question 2

Why did the first E-G session not satisfy the Deputies, specifically Third Estate deputies? (2) - The Revolution

Answer 2

The opening session did not involve the proposition of a reform package by the Government, whilst there was no clear indication of the procedures which would govern debates and voting.

Question 3

Why was there initial delay by the Third Estate of the procession of the Estates-General in its first weeks? What was the condition for this to be resolved? - The Revolution

Answer 3

There was dispute over the verification of the credentials of deputies, with the expectation being that each estate would be verified separately. The Third Estate refused for this to be the case, unless voting by head was permitted.

Question 4

When did some clerics begin to join the Third Estate following their assertion that deputies should be verified together? - The Revolution

Answer 4

Some clerics joined the Third Estate on the 10th June following their assertion the deputies should be verified together.

Question 5

When was the National Assembly formed? How many voted for/against this measure? - The Revolution

Answer 5

The National Assembly was formed on the 17th June. 491 voted in favour, with 90 against.

Question 6

When did the Clergy join the National Assembly? Who followed over the following week? - The Revolution

Answer 6

The clergy joined the National Assembly on the 19th June, with liberal nobles following over the following week.

Question 7

On what date was the Tennis Court Oath taken? What did the Oath swear? - The Revolution

Answer 7

The Tennis Court Oath was taken on the 20th June 1789. This Oath swore that the members of the National Assembly would not disband until France had a new Constitution.

Question 8

What events preceded the taking of the Tennis Court Oath? - The Revolution

Answer 8

On the morning of the 20th June, the Third Estate found their debating chamber locked and guarded. Fearing the King would try to disband the Assembly, they met inside the Royal Tennis Court, where they took the Oath.

Question 9

When did the King hold a royal session responding to the formation of the NA? What was announced by this session? - The Revolution

Answer 9

The King held a Royal Session on the 23rd June, during which he refused to recognise the National Assembly, although he did accept a land tax and new taxation methods.

Question 10

When did Louis first order Royal troops to march on Paris? How many troops did Louis order? - The Revolution

Answer 10

On the 26th June 1789, Louis ordered 4800 troops to match on Paris.

Question 11

Why did Louis order Royal troops to march on Paris in June? - The Revolution

Answer 11

Louis ordered troops to march on Paris following meetings at the Palais Royal which were openly voicing anger towards the actions of the Royal Court.

Question 12

What actions did Louis take on the 27th June with regards to the processes of the Estates-General? - The Revolution

Answer 12

On the 27th June 1789 Louis permitted voting by head and formally recognised the National Assembly, going against the actions of his Royal Session.

Question 13

What happened to the membership of the National Assembly on the 27th June? - The Revolution

Answer 13

The National Assembly was eventually made into a body comprising all deputies, after Louis ordered all remaining deputies to join the National Assembly.

Question 14

How many troops were there in Paris on the 4th July 1789? What did deputies fear was the purpose of these troops? - The Revolution

Answer 14

By the 4th July 1789, there were 30,000 troops in Paris. It was feared that these troops would be used to arrest deputies, destroy the Assembly or cut off supplies of grain.

Question 15

When was Necker dismissed? Why was this so controversial? - The Revolution

Answer 15

Necker was dismissed on the 11th July 1789, with this leading to fears that the King was opposed to reform of finances.

Question 16

What were the state of bread prices by July 1789? Why was this a problem? - The Revolution

Answer 16

By July 1789, bread prices were at their highest since 1715.

Question 17

What happened in Paris on the 12th and 13th July? - The Revolution

Answer 17

On the 12th/13th July 1789, Paris fell into disorder, with citizens looking to arm themselves from feared attack by Royal troops.

Question 18

What was the Paris Commune? Who was it set up by? - The Revolution

Answer 18

The Paris Commune was a committee set up by the Parisian electors who wanted to take control of the city.

Question 19

What was the Paris National Guard? Who was it led by/comprised of? - The Revolution

Answer 19

The Paris National Guard was an organisation set up to protect the property of Paris, restore order and protect citizens from Royal attack. Led by Lafayette, it was comprised of citizens, including the Garde Française.

Question 20

Describe the events of the 14th July 1789 in Paris - The Revolution

Answer 20

Crowds looking to arm themselves descended on the Bastille, a prison housing gunpowder and lettre de cachet victims. The Governor, de Launay, was executed after failing to surrender, and the prison looted.

Question 21

What happened on 17th July 1789? What actions did Louis take? - The Revolution

Answer 21

On the 17th July 1789, Louis was persuaded to go to Paris. Sporting the revolutionary cockade, endorsing the National Guard and Paris Commune, reinstating Necker and accepting the National Assembly.

Question 22

Why was the countryside plagued by disorder following the recognition of the National Assembly in July 1789? (2) - The Revolution

Answer 22

Peasants believed that the changes established at the Capital would bring immediate wealth and good fortune to them, as well as absolve them of feudal obligations to landlords.

Question 23

What did the Peasants believe with regards to terriers? - The Revolution

Answer 23

Peasants wrongly believed that terriers (documents listing feudal obligations) would cease to apply if they were destroyed. This was the basis for much of the violence in the countryside.

Question 24

When did the Great Fear happen? What economic difficulties preceded this? - The Revolution

Answer 24

The Great Fear occurred in the weeks between the 17th July and 3rd August 1789.
Prior to this, the Harvest of 1788 was adversely affected by poor weather and poor yields.

Question 25

What was feared by rural peasants which generated the Great Fear? - The Revolution

Answer 25

Rural peasants feared that emigree nobles would return to France with foreign assistance to wreak havoc on peasants and Parisians. It was also rumoured that rural nobles were hoarding grain and making huge profits due to its scarce supply.

Question 26

How did peasants respond to rumours around the actions of the nobility (emigree and rural) in the Great Fear? - The Revolution

Answer 26

Peasants attacked chateaux accused of hoarding grain, as well as destroying the property of nobles feared to launch an uprising against the National Assembly. They destroyed the terriers listing feudal obligations also.

Question 27

When did the National Assembly abolish feudal rights? What compensation was paid to feudal lords? - The Revolution

Answer 27

The National Assembly abolished feudalism on the 4th August 1789, with NO COMPENSATION paid to feudal lords.

Question 28

When were the August Decrees passed? What did they aim to do? - The Revolution

Answer 28

The August Decrees were passed in the week of 4th-11th August. The Decrees aimed to abolish privilege which was inherent in the Ancien Regime social system, as well as abolish all feudalism.

Question 29

What specific decrees were made in the August Decrees of 4th-11th August - The Revolution

Answer 29

All feudal dues were abolished without compensation, all tithes and fees abolished, no more venality would be allowed, all citizens would pay equally levied taxes, all citizens would be available for every position (ecclesiastical/civilian/military), exclusive right to own pigeons abolished.

Question 30

When was the DOROMAC passed by the National Assembly? What terms were agreed by this? - The Revolution

Answer 30

The DOROMAC was passed on the 26th August 1789. This asserted that all men were born and remain free and equal in rights, ensured everyone would be fairly subjected to the law, established freedom of expression and association, asserted rights to property, sovereignty would exist in ‘the Nation’.

Question 31

What was Louis’ response to the August Decrees and the DOROMAC initially? - The Revolution

Answer 31

Initially, Louis refused to accept the August Decrees and the DOROMAC as it would lead to a dramatic reduction in his own power and would go against his divine right. He was pressured into this.

Question 32

What action triggered the October Days? - The Revolution

Answer 32

Louis held a banquet for his returning Flanders Regiment in the midst of a social crisis, stirring up anger and discontent at this.

Question 33

When were the October Days? - The Revolution

Answer 33

The October Days occurred on the 5th and 6th of October.

Question 34

Describe the events of the October Days - The Revolution

Answer 34

6000 women, flanked by the National Guard, marched to Versailles to confront Louis. They entered the palace of Versailles and pleaded for Louis to accept the August Decrees and DOROMAC, as well as grant extra grain supplies to the Capital.

Question 35

What pressured Louis into changing the Royal residence? Where did the Royal Family relocate to? - The Revolution

Answer 35

Louis’ personal bodyguards were killed, with their heads impaled on spikes, forcing Louis to agree to relocating from Versailles to the Tuileries Palace in Paris under the supervision of the Paris mob.

Question 36

How many women marched to Versailles to Confront Louis at the October Days? When? - The Revolution

Answer 36

6000 women marched to Versailles to confront Louis on the 5th/6th October 1789.