Key Question 2

Question 1

Reaons for government instability

What were the reasons for government instability?

1790-1795

Answer 1

• a lack of agreement among decision makers over who should govern the country and how
• deep antagonism between Paris and the many regions of France (they resented the domination of Paris)
• serious social and economic problems continues when a war broke out against Austria in 1792

Question 2

Reaons for government instability

What radical changes were seen during this period?

Answer 2

These changes ranged from…
- abolition of the monarchy and aristocracy
to vast religious changes such as…
- a new calendar with different names for the months

Question 3

Reaons for government instability

What two major problems remained in practice?

Answer 3

1. to get the king to accept the changes
2. whether the assembly was capable of carrying out these decisions

Question 4

Reaons for government instability

What important issues did most members of the Third Estate agree on?

Answer 4

• France should still have a monarch, but not an absoloute monarchy. There had to be limits to royal power; power had to be shared with the people
• Aristocratic and Church privileges should be abolished, and jpbs should go to the most able candidates, not just aristocrats
• There should be a fair system of taxation
• There should be proper accountability in government and a fairer system of justice.

Question 5

Reaons for government instability

What was the major problem with putting these decisions into place?

Answer 5

No-one had a clear plan of how this might be achieved.
- no obvious leader
- no real understanding of what the majority of the French people really wanted
- political life like this had not existed before, members of the Assembly were inexperienced in making laws and deciding national policy
- they were not helped by many members of the nobility and clergy who were opposed to any change

Question 6

Reaons for government instability

What problem was not addressed, causing more instability?

Answer 6

The high price of food for the poorest people in France.

Question 7

Principle Revolutionary Groups

Why were revolutionary groups formed?

Answer 7

Representatives who met in the Assembly in 1790 were mostly men of property, often lawyers. Many were influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment.
- they realised that an individual member would achieve little
- the only way they could pass laws was to join a group of like-minded Assembly members.
There were three main groups who, like modern political parties, represented conservatives, moderate reformers and radical reformers within the Assembly.

Question 8

Principle Revolutionary Groups

Who were The Jacobins?

Answer 8

• best known and most influential
• formed in 1789 and was open to all citizens
• had linked groups all across France
• strong connections with the Parisian working-classes.
• most radical of the three groups and argued strongly for the execution of the king, and the end of the aristocracy and the Roman Catholic Church.
• largely responsible for thr Terror in 1793-94

Question 9

Principle Revolutionary Groups

Who were The Feuillants?

Answer 9

• formed in 1791
• known as the Society of the Friends of the Constitution
• conservative and sat on the right of the assembly
  strong supporters of a constitutional monarchy
• opposed the decision to go to war with Austria in 1792
• strong opponents of The Jacobins
• many of The Feuillants were executed by The Jacobins during the Terror

Question 10

Principle Revolutionary Groups

Who were The Girondins?

Answer 10

• formed in 1791
• moderate republicans
• voted in favour of the war with Austria in 1792
• not as radical as The Jacobins
• not as concerned with political, social and economic equality
• some opposed the execution of the king and felt that the Paris ‘mob’ was too influential. They wanted more consideration of the wishes of the people of all of France.
• many Girondins would also be executed in the Terror

Question 11

Principle Revolutionary Groups

What four areas did the National Assembly focus on for the new constitution?

Answer 11

• unfair system of taxation
• inefficient and corrupt system of local government
• the out-of-date justice system
• the role, status and wealth of the Roman Catholic Church
  Many of the changes that the Assembly introduced, lasted for many years after the revolution.

Question 12

Failure of the counter-revolutionary groups

How did a lack of realism contribute to the faiurel of counter-revolutionary groups?

Answer 12

Louis XVI, his wife and his courtiers failed to realise the depth of feeling in France against the system of government which existed before 1789.
The king could not accept that their had to be major limits to his power, and that in futurehe would have to rule with the consent of his people.

Internal factor

Question 13

Failure of the counter-revolutionary groups

How did inner divisions among royalists contribute to the failure of counter-revolutionary groups?

Answer 13

No agreement about their aims or how to achieve them.
- Some wanted a restoration of the monarchy, with all privileges returned to the nobility and clergy. Others felt that concessions had to be made and that there must be a constitutional monarchy which operated within limits.
- Some advocated killing all of the revolutionaries, whereas some argued for concilation
- Some of the emigres refused to associate with others as they were not ‘noble’ enough. Like Louis XVI they underestimated the people’s loyalty to the revolution, assuming that if they returned to France, people would rise to support them.

Internal factorI

Question 14

Failure of the counter-revolutionary groups

How was opposition to the revolution divided?

Answer 14

• Some activists were more anxious to restore the position of the Church than the king.
• Regions such as Brittany were willing to fight against the revolution, but their inhabitants would not go so far as to leave their homes and advance on Paris to overthrow it.
• Some simply hated change and feared that difference meant worse.

Internal factor

Question 15

Failure of the counter-revolutionary groups

How did royalists lack effective leadership?

Answer 15

• no charismatic figure with clear and realistic aims
• lacked effective foreign support
• at different times Austria, Prussia, The Netherlands and Britain fought against revolutionary France, but none were able to defeat it. This was because France, though facing difficulties (caused by many many officers becoming emigres), they were still had one of the best armies in Europe. Service men were now promoted on the grounds of ability rather than birth status.

Wars = external factor
Other = internal factor

Question 16

Failure of the counter-revolutionary groups

How did the Terror contribute to the failure of counter-revolutionary groups?

Answer 16

• ruthless actions from revolutionary armies deterred many from supporting the royalists.
• After 1793, many counter-revolutionaries were executed and their property seized.

Question 17

Maximilien Robespierre

Who was Maximilien Robespierre?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_plscSbrWts

Answer 17

A leader of the French Revolution best known for spearheading the Reign of Terror. He was an important member of the Jacobin political party.

Question 18

The Estates General was called because…

Why was the Estates General called in 1789?

Answer 18

• failure of Ministers and the King to devise a suitable and acceptable solution to the huge range of problems that faced the Ancien Régime, especially financial ones.
• the tax system needed to be overhauled
• poor harvests over several years, resulting in food shortages and rising food prices
• the King recognised the desperate situation facing France

Question 19

Causes of the French Revolution

Long term causes

factors that have been building up over a significant period

Answer 19

• absolutism
• unjust socio-political system (Old Regime)
• poor harvests
• influence of enlightenment philosophes
• restricted trade
• influence of other successful revolutions e.g American Revoltion (1775-1783)

Question 20

Causes of the French Revolution

Short term causes

factors that occur relatively close to the event in question

Answer 20

• foreign policy (getting involved in wars)
• finance
• failure of reform
• political crisis 1787-88 (the King refusing to listen to his advisors)
• economic crisis

Question 21

Why did the King lose his power?

Reason 1 - The loss of royal authority by July 1789 was mainly the fault of the king himself

Answer 21

• refused to listen to his financial advisors
• made France contribute towards the American Revolution, causing mass amounts of debt
• 2 major wars, financed by loans, meant that Louis was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1788
• Louis lacked leadership skills needed to rule
• refused to accept change
• 6% of the national budget was used to fund his and his wife’s lavish lifestyle
• could not see the significance of the revolution

Question 22

Why did the King lose his power?

Reason 2 - The loss of royal authority was because if a situation that was too difficult for the King to control and he should not be held responsible.

Answer 22

• the march of the women - force Louis to return to Paris. He had no control over the situation
• bad harvests
• growth of educated individuals in the middle class and the enlightenment popularised new ideas
• people coming back from the war of American independance with the idea of revolution
• he inherited both a large amount of debt and the Ancien Régime

Question 23

Interpretations

What causes of the revolution did historians debate over?

Answer 23

• poverty, leading to a revolt of the lower classes?
• prosperity, a growing middle-class wanting to make more money?
• a national struggle for liberty or democracy or equality or justice?
• a criminal conspiracy against the old social order?

Question 24

Interpretations

Early 19th Century interpretation

Answer 24

Historians were largely liberals who:
- argued that the revolution was a natural part of the progress of a society
- felt the crimes of the aristocracy, the Church and an absolute monarch made it inevitable

However the conservatives suggested that:
- It was a series of crimes by the lower and middle classes against society, the Church and the state which led naturally to the Terror and the killing of the king.

Question 25

# Interpretations Late 19th Century interpretation

Answer 25

Historians suggested: - famine led to the king promising reform, raising hopes and then dashing them, which led to the anger of 1789 onwards - the revolution was very politically and ideologically driven, some seeing it as a middle-class conspiracy - the revolution was a desire for equality, followed by a desire for democracy and then desire for national sovereignty that led to a republic.

Question 26

# Interpretations 20th Century interpretation

Answer 26

Some 20th Century historians argued that: - struggle between classes rather than ideas or ideologies - largely a class between the middle-class and the aristocracy and the Church - caused by a mix of prosperity and poverty; a more prosperous middle-class wanting power and an urban working-class and peasantry wanting food and jobs Some argued that: - The urban working-class were the driving force Others that: - the rural peasants were more important

Question 27

# Historiography What is historiography and why is it important?

Answer 27

Historiography is the history of history. Historians need to study historiography so that they can write history in a proffesional, nonbiased way. It is usually a requirement in any degree course in history. History is the study of the past. Historiography is the study of the history of history writing and of written histories.

Question 28

# My Interpretation What was François Mignet's interpretation? | (1776 - 1884)

Answer 28

Mignet's 1924 text 'Histoire de la Révolution' was liberal in his approach. He believed that the bourgeoise were one of the most important groups in the French Revolution. He believes that their uprising in 1789 was inevitable and an overdue response to their lack of rights, the inequally and corruption, and France's entitled aristocracy.

Question 29

# Economic Problems How did the Assembly attempt to deal with the financial crisis? | Until a better and fairer system of taxation could be created.

Answer 29

- Sell the land and valuables which had belonged to the Roman Catholic Church - Issued a temporary paper currency called assignats - A new system of income tax = the burden of taxtation would fall on those best able to pay - Taxes on consumption (such as on gabelle / salt), were abolished - A new tax on land which fell on the owners of property (no more tax exemptions on the rich). Taxation was to be largely based on wealth and property

Question 30

# Economic Problems What were Assignats?

Answer 30

A new type of paper currency used instead of using gold and silver coins and guaranteed by the government. The value of this type of currency depended on people's confidence in it and their willingness to accept it as payment for their goods or their labour.

Question 31

# Economic Problems What was the problem with Assignats?

Answer 31

- economic conditions were made worse - these assignats were in effect transferable 'I Owe U's' based on the wealth the state had from taking over Church lands - their value was unstable, this resulted in inflation - French people were reluctant to use assignats, causing a shortage of currency which inhibited trade

Question 32

# Economic Problems Economic problems between 1791-95:

Answer 32

- luxury goods demanded by the aristocracy suffered - abolition if feudal duties -> loss of income for autocratic landowners who retaliated by raising rents, which hit farmers hard - transfer of land as aristocratic owners lost theirs, and church land was nationalised - reliance on assignats led to inflation - British blockading devastated France's overseas trade and ports -> led to mass unemployement - agriculture was disrupted by the army's demands for food and horses - conscription caused a shortage of men for harvest

Question 33

# Flight to Varennes and Champ de Mars King Louis XVI was now a Constitutional Monarch? What did this mean?

Answer 33

He had limitaions on his power. He no longer has complete control of the country

Question 34

# Flight to Varennes and Champ de Mars How did Louis feel about this? Why?

Answer 34

Upset. Trapped. Felt as though was held down by the people of Paris. Annoyed. Powerless.

Question 35

# Flight to Varennes and Champ de Mars What could Louis do to change the situation?

Answer 35

He could have been a better king when he had power, and make the necessary changes. He should try to work with the National Assembly and the people. Prove he is listening to their problems and demands.

Question 36

# Flight to Varennes and Champ de Mars What factors ensured that many further problems arose?

Answer 36

- lack of agreement on the terms of the new Constitution - poor harvests - erratic behaviour by the king - a growing counter-revolutionary movement - increase in radicalism These problems led to further rapid political and social changes

Question 37

# Flight to Varennes and Champ de Mars What was the Flight to Varennes?

Answer 37

In June, Louis and his family tried to escape from France to the Austrian Netherlands to the North. They were captured by supporters of the revolution at the town of Varennes and returned under gurad to Paris. There he effectively became a prisoner of the people.

Question 38

# Flight to Varennes and Champ de Mars How did the Flight to Varennes play a major part in the developing revolutionary process?

Answer 38

Increased suspicions that he was determined to oppose all changes and bring back the Ancien Regime. They believe he aimed to gain support from the queen's Austrian family, so that the country could be invaded by foreigners who would destroy the revolution. Led to many of the nobility, who became know as the emigres, escaping France and setting up centres of opposition abroad. They were seen as a major threat to the revolution. While there were some moderates in the Assembly who felt as though they should attempt to negotiate with the king and keep him as a constitutional monarch, there was a growth in more radical views that the king should be killed, or at least deposed.

Question 39

# Flight to Varennes Which institution's authority was also diminishing along with Louis'?

Answer 39

The Catholic Church

Question 40

# Flight to Varennes What did Louis decide to do in order to regain control of his country?

Answer 40

Escape and get hel from a foreign army in Austria

Question 41

# Flight to Varennes Why did Louis believe he needed the help of a foreign army?

Answer 41

His own military was against him. He could take back power forcefully with a planned invasion

Question 42

# Flight to Varennes How did the royal family disguise themselves during their escape?

Answer 42

Disguised themselves as servants

Question 43

# Flight to Varennes How did the people and guards react when they recognized Louis as the king during his escape attempt?

Answer 43

Louis was arrested and taken back to Paris. This broke the bond between the king and his people. He was now seen as a traitor.

Question 44

# Flight to Varennes How did the public react to the Flight to Varennes?

Answer 44

- triggered a rush of crude propaganda that ridiculed the royals - the Paris sections and radical journalists demanded the immediate abolition of the monarchy and the creation of a republic. - some went further and insisted the King be put on trial for treason against the constitution.

Question 45

# Flight to Varennes What were the choices facing the Assembly?

Answer 45

- Some people believed that the best solution was to pretend that Louis had been kidnapped. This would allow him to stay on the throne and would therefore preserve the new Constitution of 1791, not yet published - Others wanted Louis tried for treason and executed if found guilty - Some wanted him deposed and replaced by one of his brothers - Others demanded an abdication and the creation of a French republic Many saw his flight as evidence of an international conspiracy designed to destroy the revolution. Pretending the king had been kidnapped would provide the time to calm the people. Putting Louis' son on the throne would allow him to be influenced as he was only 10 years old at the time.

Question 46

# Flight to Varennes What decision did the Assembly make?

Answer 46

**15th July 1791** - the Assembly declared its belief that Louis XVI and his family had been kidnapped, thus exonerating him from responsibiity - issued a document that set out the grounds by which a king might forfeit his position. This **Decree Determining Abdication** gave Louis another chance but suspended his power. - Louis XVI was neither a constitutional monarch nor a prisoner of the revolution, but rather was held in his position by a fiction that no-one believed

Question 47

# Flight to Varennes What did Napoleon believe the Assembly should have done in response to the king's Flight to Varennes?

Answer 47

Napoleon believed that the National Assembly should have helped the royal family escape from France. He said that Varennes gave the National Assembly the chance to rid France of royalty without cruelty. The deputies could then have got on with the work of creating a republic, without burdening the state with a sovereign they had no reason to destroy. Agree- as long as he left his death was unecessary Disagree - letting him escape may have given him the opportunity to get help from Austria.

Question 48

# Champ de Mars Why did crowds assemble at the Champ de Mars and what was the response? | 17th July 1791

Answer 48

Demanding a referendum on the king's fate. They had come to sign a position drawn up by th eleaders of the Cordeliers Club. - The National Guard fired upon a group of citizens trying to petition the Assembly to ensure that it dealt firmly with the king. More than 50 people were killed. - Many saw this as a possible counter-revolutionary action and an attempt by the king to regain power. - Several more radical Assembly members fled, and many people began to think there had to be a more extreme solution to the problem of the king.

Question 49

# Champ de Mars What were the consequences of the Champ de Mars?

Answer 49

- The National Constituent Assembly’s response to the Champ de Mars incident was to blame it on political radicals and the gutter press. - Several newspapers were forcibly closed, some radical leaders were arrested or forced into hiding. - The violence caused an enduring split in the Jacobin Club. Its constitutional monarchists abandoned the club to form the Feuillants, while those who remained were further radicalised