1.10. The Great Fear Flashcards
What harvests failed causing severe hunger in the countryside?
1787 and 1788
When was the slump in the textile trade?
1788
What happened as a result of the desperate conditions?
Many attacks by peasants on chateaux and tax offices in the second half of 1788
What did cahiers de doléances drawn up by peasants focus on?
The need to abolish feudal dues
When were the cahiers de doléances drawn up?
First half of 1789
When did the great fear break out?
20th July 1789
Why did the great fear break out?
The news of the storming of Bastille led to peasants believing that they could act out against nobles without fear that the army would strike back
What did the peasants think nobles were planning?
To restore order by employing mercenaries and brigands to go around the countryside, killing reformers and ruining crops
How did peasants respond to these rumours?
By raiding grain stores, burning down chateaux and destroying records of taxes and feudal dues, so it wasn’t clear who owed what to whom
When did the assembly meet to discuss how to bring the great fear to an end?
4th August
Who proposed the abolition of feudal dues?
The vicomte de Noailles and the Duc d’Augillon
What did Duequesney, one of the deputies exclaim when the assembly adjourned at 2AM?
‘What a nation! What glory! What honour to be French!’
How was the abolition of feudalism and the estates system carried out?
In a series of decrees passed by the National Assembly, called the August Decrees
When were the August Decrees passed?
5th to 11th August
What did the August Decrees arrange for?
The abolition of feudal dues, tithes, venalities, and all privileges relating to tax. They also made all citizens eligible for offices, and abolished the estates system.
