Causes Of French Revolution

Question 1

What did Calonne propose to reform the financial state in France

Answer 1

Main proposal reform land tax
- no exemptions for anyone

Also abandon controls on grain trade and restore national confidence in loans (sinking fund)

Question 2

When did the estates general meet

Answer 2

1 May 1789

Question 3

When and why were the Paris parlements exiled to Troyes ?

Answer 3

August 1787
- Louis was angry as they did not agree to Briennes reforms

Question 4

When was the tennis court oath?

Answer 4

June 1789
- represented the power of the people

Question 5

When was the storming of the Bastille ?

Answer 5

July 1789

Question 6

What were the august decrees ?

Answer 6

(1789) Ended Fuedelism:
- Tithes abolished
- venality abolished
- financial and tax privileges abolished

Question 7

When + what was the declaration of rights of man?

Answer 7

Sets out ‘natural and inaliable rights’ + seperation of powers
(26 August 1789)

Question 8

When was church land nationalised ?

Answer 8

November 1789

Question 9

When were the October days and what were they a result of?

Answer 9

October 1789
women marched on Versailles
due to Kings refusal to agree to the declaration (rights of men) and also bread shortages

Question 10

What were intendants ?

Answer 10

Officials appointed by and answerable to the crown

Responsible for police justice and finance.

Question 11

What was the taille ? Who paid and was it direct or indirect ?

Answer 11

• Land tax
• Direct tax
• Paid by third estate

Question 12

Vingtieme tax who paid and direct or indirect?

Answer 12

• 5% of income
• Paid by third estate
• Direct tax (not on purchase)

Question 13

Capitation Tax?

Answer 13

direct Poll tax

Question 14

Who was exempt from the taille ?

Answer 14

Nobles

Question 15

Gabelle tax

Answer 15

Indirect
Tax on salt

Question 16

What was tax collection known as and who collected them?

Answer 16

Tax farming

Collected by company called Farmers-General

Question 17

What was the venality system ?

Answer 17

It was a system where certain jobs could be bought or transferred onto descendants
These officials could not be dismissed therefore =corruption

Question 18

Why was church unpopular ?

Answer 18

Exempt from all taxes
Had significant power over people in France like censorship etc

Question 19

What were the privileges of the nobility ?

Answer 19

Tried in special courts
Exempt from military service
Paid no direct taxes
~~~

Question 20

When and what did the economic crisis. Consist of?

Answer 20

1780s: disastrous harvests which led to mass unemployment
Rises in food prices led to
Less demand for manufactured goods and less workers
Overall food shortages
Hoarding

Question 21

what percentage of the population were 3rd estate

Answer 21

98%

Question 22

what + when was the deficit at

Answer 22

140 million in 1787

Question 23

what had French debt reached and why

Answer 23

between 8 and 12 billion livres by 1789 - Seven Years’ War and the American War of Independence