Week 1- Louis XVI as King and Government Flashcards
When did Louis XVI become king/what age?
1774 at the age of 20
How did Louis XVI become king / inherited throne from who.
-His dad and elder brother next in succession but died
-inherit the throne from his grandfather Louis XV.
When did Louis XVI marry Marie Antoinette?
1770.
Why did Marie and Louis get married?
It had been negotiated in an attempt to hold together the two former enemies, France and Austria.
Why was Louis criticised as not cut out to rule France and what did he want (but)?
-It was believed that Louis was not cut out to be King as he was weak-willed and indecisive.
-He hoped to reform France and better the lives of his subjects but he knew little about politics
Why was Marie Antoinette disliked aside from poltically (3)
She had a reputation as a spendthrift (‘Madame Defecit’).e.g.
-petite hameu =out of touch / expensive
-diamond necklace affair (rumours)
-affair with cardinal rohan (rumours)
Why court life expensive for king
-ultimate dispenser of patronage
-l court factions sought:
pensions, contracts and gratituies
(to maintain lifestyle )
What was the kings position in france, what did this justify, but what was the caviat
-God’s representative in France,
carried out Divine will, only answerable to God.
-‘Divine right’ justified ‘absolute’ power
e.g. letter de cachet
-still needed support noble elites —> expected maintain conventions and ‘rule by law’.
What role did the councils play in Government?
Government was dispensed by the ‘King and Council’.
Decisions were made by the king but he was advised by those he chose to assist him.
What were the main ‘royal courts’?
the Conseil d’Etat- dealt with issues of state and foreign affairs
the Conseil des Depeches- received despatches from the King’s officials and dealt with Church affairs.
the Conseil Royal des Finances- managed state finances and economic policy
What was the role of the King’s ministers?
-Advice king privately outside courts
-chosen by king
What were some problems with the ministers? (2 issues -> 2 results )
-Ministers often chosen by pressure not skill
->liable to own goals at cost of countries
-met with king individually, could convince him to act in their favour
-> ruling relied very small group of powerful men.
What were the Intendants and what was there purpose?
-to curb the power of ‘provincial dynasties’
-royal agents to maintain rule in the provinces and send back information.
What were some problems with the Intendants?
(3)
-overworked/ too few staff
-could only act with word from the king
-confused administrative set-up = share power provincial governors, parlements and seigneurs.
Therefore little progress was made in the provinces to improve the lives of civilians.
How many/What were ‘pays d’etats’?
-Six areas of France
-pay a lump tax sum to the King, arranged by powerful assemblies
