Knowledge Check Questions: Constitutional Monarchy Flashcards
(115 cards)
1
Q
Why did the first E-G session not satisfy the Deputies, specifically Third Estate deputies?
A
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.
2
Q
Why did the Third Estate delay the Estates-General procession, and what was their condition?
A
- Dispute over the verification of the credentials of deputies
- 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.
3
Q
When did some clerics begin to join the Third Estate?
A
Some clerics joined the Third Estate on the 10th June following their assertion the deputies should be verified together.
4
Q
When was the National Assembly formed? How many voted for/against this measure?
A
The National Assembly was formed on the 17th June 1789. 491 voted in favour, with 90 against.
5
Q
When did the Clergy join the National Assembly? Who followed over the following week?
A
The clergy joined the National Assembly on the 19th June, with liberal nobles following over the following week.
6
Q
What events preceded the taking of the Tennis Court Oath?
A
- 20th June 1789: Third Estate found their chamber locked and guarded
- Feared the King planned to disband them
- Relocated to the Royal Tennis Court
7
Q
When did the King hold a royal session responding to the formation of the NA? What was announced by this session?
A
- 23rd June 1789
- Refused to recognise the National Assembly
- Accepted a land tax and new taxation methods.
8
Q
When and how many Royal troops did Louis order to Paris?
A
- 26th June 1789
- 4,800 troops
9
Q
Why did Louis order Royal troops to march on Paris in June 1789?
A
Following meetings at the Palais Royal which were openly voicing anger towards the actions of the Royal Court.
10
Q
What actions did Louis take on the 27th June with regards to the processes of the Estates-General?
A
Louis permitted voting by head and formally recognised the National Assembly, going against the actions of his Royal Session.
11
Q
What happened to the membership of the National Assembly on the 27th June 1789?
A
The National Assembly was eventually made into a body comprising all deputies, after Louis ordered all remaining deputies to join the National Assembly.
12
Q
How many troops were in Paris on 4th July 1789, and what were deputies afraid of?
A
- By the 4th July 1789, there were 30,000 troops in Paris.
- Feared that these troops would be used to arrest deputies, destroy the Assembly or cut off supplies of grain.
13
Q
When was Necker dismissed? Why was this so controversial?
A
-11th July 1789,
- Fears that the King was opposed to reform of finances.
14
Q
What was the state of bread prices in July 1789?
A
By July 1789, bread prices were at their highest since 1715.
15
Q
What happened in Paris on the 12th and 13th July 1789
A
Paris fell into disorder, with citizens looking to arm themselves from feared attack by Royal troops.
16
Q
Describe the events of the 14th July 1789 in Paris
A
- 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.
17
Q
Why was the countryside plagued by disorder following the recognition of the National Assembly in July 1789?
A
- Peasants believed that the changes established at the Capital would bring immediate wealth and good fortune to them
- Thought it would absolve them of feudal obligations to landlords.
18
Q
What did the Peasants believe with regards to terriers?
A
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.
19
Q
When did the Grand Peur happen?
A
17th July 1789 - 3rd August 1789
20
Q
How did peasants respond to rumours around the actions of the nobility the Great Fear?
A
- Peasants attacked chateaux accused of hoarding grain
- Destroyed the property of nobles feared to launch an uprising against the National Assembly.
- They destroyed the terriers listing feudal obligations also.
21
Q
When did the National Assembly abolish feudal rights?
A
- 4th August 1789
- No compensation paid to feudal lords
22
Q
When were the August Decrees passed?
A
4th - 11th August 1789
23
Q
What 6 specific decrees were made in the August Decrees?
A
- 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.
24
Q
When was the DOROMAC passed by the National Assembly?
A
26th August 1789
25
What was Louis’ response to the August Decrees and the DOROMAC initially?
- 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.
- LXVI voiced reservations on the 4th October 1789
- He was pressured into this.
26
What action triggered the October Days/Women's March?
Louis held a banquet for his returning Flanders Regiment in the midst of a social crisis, stirring up anger and discontent at this.
27
When were the October Days/Women's March?
5th and 6th October 1789
28
Describe the events of the October Days/Women's March
- 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.
29
What pressured Louis into changing the Royal residence? Where did the Royal Family relocate to?
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.
30
How many women marched to Versailles to Confront Louis at the October Days?
6,000 women
31
What are the October Day's commonly known as?
Women's March on Versailles
32
When was the first of the 1792 Journées? How many sans-culottes gathered?
- 20th June 1792
- 8,000 Sans-culottes gathered at the Tuileries Palace
33
Describe the events of the Journée of 20th June 1792. What were its outcomes?
- 8,000 sans-culottes gathered with petitions
- They demanded that Louis withdrew his vetoes and restore pro-war ministers that had been dismissed
- LXVI appeared, drinking a toast to the nation which seemed to resolve the situation.
34
When was the decree ‘la patrie en danger’ issued? What were the demands of this?
-11th July 1792
- Demanding that all men show full support to the war effort in the spirit of self-sacrifice.
35
When was the Brunswick Manifesto issued?
25th July 1792
36
When was the 2nd Journée of 1792?
10th August 1792
37
Describe the events of the Journée of 10th August 1792
- Sans-culottes had carefully planned a protest, with the King instructed to hide in the Assembly.
- Loyalist troops defected to the mob, allowing the mob to flood into the palace.
- Nearly 1000 sans-culottes were killed, yet all royal guards were massacred.
38
What was the outcome of the Journée of 10th August 1792 in terms of the Monarchy?
- The King was removed from the Palace by the Paris Commune and placed in the Temple Prison.
- The King was not deposed, rather he was temporarily suspended.
39
What action was taken to alter the distinction between active and passive citizens following the 2nd Journée of 1792?
- The distinction between active and passive citizens was ended following the Journée of 1792
- All men over 25 granted the ability to vote for the new Convention.
40
Who was made minister of justice following the King’s deposition? Why could this have been controversial?
- Danton
- He was a radical member of the Cordeliers club, which will have angered moderates.
41
Which French settlements were attacked on 23 August and 1 September 1792, and what fears did this spark?
- 23rd August 1792: Longwy
- 1st September 1792: Verdun
- Generated fears that Paris could rapidly fall to enemy forces following this, leading France to lose the war.
42
When did Danton introduce conscription ‘on pain of death’?
2nd September 1792
43
When and what decree did Danton make in regards to searches? What were the impacts of this decree?
- 30th August 1792
- Danton decreed that house searches for weapons should take place.
- As a result of this decree, 3000 people were sent to prison.
44
What was the response of the Assembly to the September Massacres?
- They did nothing to prevent the actions of radicals during the September Massacres
45
What did the lack of the response from the Assembly demonstrate about the power of the Assembly in comparison to radical leaders?
Created the view that the Assembly was weak whilst radical leaders were seen as increasingly influential
46
What were the results of the September 1792 elections to the National Convention?
- The Girondins were obliterated following their opposition to the sans-culottes and radical sentiment.
- No Girondins elected in Paris, with radical leaders selected instead.
47
When did the new National Convention open?
20th September 1792
48
What was the Noble Faction? What were their beliefs (was this shown in a publication)?
- A royalist group based at the Salon Français.
- Adamantly supported the monarchy
- Published the paper ‘Friend of the Royals’ as well as satirical pamphlets.
49
What was the Breton Club? What were their beliefs?
- A liberal political club
- Supported voting by head, adoption of a constitution and a National Assembly.
50
What was the Jacobin Club? Who would be a member (over time)?
- An offset of the Breton Club, with slightly more radical views than the Bretons.
- The Club was reserved initially for Active Citizens only, but later opened meetings and discussions to all.
50
Who were notable members/attendees of the Breton Club? What was the club’s alternative name?
- Robespierre, Mirabeau, Le Chapelier, Barnave, Abbé Sieyes and others.
- The club was alternatively known as ‘The Society of the Friends of the Constitution’.
51
Who notably attended Jacobin Meetings? What were their beliefs?
- Barnave and Robespierre
- They were staunch supporters of a constitutional monarchy and the constitution.
52
What was the Cordeliers Club? What were their beliefs?
- An extreme and radical working-class club, with very low membership fees.
- They met to discuss grievances and also opposed the distinction between passive and active citizens.
- Aimed to protect rights.
53
What was the Société de 89? Why was it formed and who was a member?
- Formed by constitutional monarchists breaking from the Jacobins, distressed by increasing radicalism.
- Its members included Lafayette, Mirabeau, Bailly, Sieyes etc.
54
How can the membership of the Société de 89 be described? Why were they despised by the Jacobins?
- Being from the extremely rich and powerful of France’s politicians.
- Despised by the Jacobins as it was seen as a gathering of the elite and privileged.
55
What was the Feuillant Club? What were its aims?
- A monarchist-supporting offshoot of the Jacobin Club created following the Flight to Varennes.
- The Feuillants aimed to de-radicalise the revolution and attract moderates.
56
How many members did the Jacobin club have by the end of 1790?
Over 1,000 members after opening up to the Bourgeoisie
57
Why were the political clubs around Paris so effective?
- Open to anyone
- They also utilised propaganda and arenas of debate.
58
Why had Louis found his position intolerable in June 1791, prior to the Flight to Varennes? (4 reasons)
- Louis was a prisoner in the Tuileries
- He was forced to pass laws he opposed e.g Civil Constitution
- Barred from an Easter visit to Saint-Cloud where he would receive mass from a refractory priest
- Mirabeau had died (opening a gulf between Louis and the Assembly).
59
What reasons can be given for the failure of the Flight to Varennes?
- Louis rejected the suggested route to escape
- The departure was delayed
- The coach was too heavy so was slowed
- Louis was recognised by a postmaster (Drouet) who had been tipped off.
- The royals were ARRESTED at Varennes.
60
What was the reaction of Parisians to the Flight to Varennes?
Parisians were disgusted with the actions of Louis, with it being thought that his dedication to the revolution was in tatters.
61
How did the Assembly respond to the Flight to Varennes? WHEN?
- Considered deposing Louis
- Instead voted to temporarily suspend him until Louis had sworn to uphold the new constitution.
- This happened on the 16th July 1791.
62
During the Champs de Mars Massacre, who was sent to ensure order?
The National Guard
62
What happened to leaders of extremist clubs following the Champ de Mars massacre?
The leaders of extremist clubs such as Marat, Danton and Desmoulins were sent into hiding by the rising of the moderates such as the Feuillant club.
63
Aside from the threat of Austria and Prussia, what other threats were made in the aftermath of the Declaration of Pillnitz from outside France?
Noble émigrées had built up private armies in exile outside of France and were preparing to unleash them on the country.
64
What percentage of pre-revolutionary soldiers were among the private armies of émigrées?
60%
65
When and what was the decree in 1791 to combat the threat of émigrées?
- 9th November 1791
- Assembly decreed that all émigrées would have to return to France by January 1792, or face banishment and the seizure of their property.
66
When and what was the decree in 1791 to combat the threat of refractory priests?
- 29th November 1791
- The Assembly decreed that all refractory priests would have to take the Oath to the Civil Constitution or be branded a traitor.
67
What were the Brissotins/Girondins? What were their beliefs?
- A group advocating for war in the aftermath of the Declaration of Pillnitz.
- They believed that a war would be easily won as the French soldiers would be welcomed as ‘men of liberty’.
68
Why did the idea of war appeal to the Royal Family?
War appealed to the Royals as they were in contact with relatives and émigrées who aimed to use the conflict as an opportunity to restore the Royals to their previous powers.
69
How many soldiers did Prussia pledge to the conflict between France and Austria/Prussia?
20,000 men
70
What action did the Assembly take against refractory priests on the 27th May 1792?
The Assembly voted on the 27th May 1792 to deport all refractory priests, claiming that they were causing disturbances.
71
What action did the Assembly take against the King’s guard in May 1792?
- 29th May 1792
- Disband the King’s guard as they had appeared to celebrate military defeats.
- This further reduced Crown power.
72
What action did Louis take against his ministry on the 13th June 1792? Why?
Dismissed all of his ministry after they had implored that he overturned his use of the suspensory veto against the decrees of the Assembly.
73
When did LXVI dismiss all his ministry?
13th June 1792
74
Why was the Church an obvious point of attack?
It was a centre of French privilege.
75
Who supported the attack of the French Church both clerical and secular examples?
- Attacked by philosophes e.g Voltaire
- Members of the clergy such as Abbé Sieyes and Archbishop Talleyrand.
76
What 7 religious changes were agreed by the Assembly in the early months of the Revolution (August 1789-June 1790)?
- Pluralism was abolished
- Payment of annates was ended
- Payment of the tithe to the church was ended
- Don gratuit was abolished
- Church land was nationalised
- Full citizenship was granted to all Protestants
- All non-charitable religious orders were abolished.
77
What reason the reason for the nationalisation of Church land on the 2nd November 1789?
To pay off the debt of the state
78
How many bishoprics were there under the new administration by the CCC compared to before?
83 bishoprics in France, replacing the old 135.
79
Why was the Pope unable to show opposition to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?
The Pope was engaged in negotiations about his papal enclave at Avignon, which would surely be compromised if he were to display reservations about the Assembly’s reforms to the French Church.
80
When was the Oath to the Civil Constitution decreed? What did this state?
- 27th November 1790
- Determined all the clergy would swear allegiance to the nation, the law, King and nation
81
What happened to clergy who rejected the Oath to the Civil Constitution?
They would be deprived of their offices and salaries
82
How many bishops/clergy accepted the Oath to the Civil Constitution?
- 7 of 160 Bishops swore the Oath
- 55% of the Clergy
83
What action did the Pope take against those who took the Oath? How did the Assembly respond to this?
- The Pope suspended any clergy who took the oath.
- The Assembly retaliated by annexing Avignon and declaring that any refractory priests were counter-revolutionaries. They had their incomes stopped and were forbidden from using religious buildings.
84
How did large numbers of the Clergy react to Church reform?
Large numbers fled abroad
85
How did central and rural French citizens react to the CCC?
- Central, urban citizens were in favour of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy,
- Rural peasants in the strongly Catholic areas believed that the Assembly was trying to change their faith.
86
Which enlightenment philosophes’/countries’ ideas were used in the constitutional monarchy/in advocating for a constitutional monarchy?
- Montesquieu’s idea of the separation of powers was utilised
- Locke’s government through rational principles
- British and American Constitutions.
87
How was power divided into 3 separate branches of government reflecting Montesquieu's ideas?
Power was divided into..
- A legislative elected by the people
- An executive comprised of the King and his Royal Ministers
- An independent judiciary.
88
How many chambers did the legislative branch of government have? How often were national elections held?
- One chamber, the Legislative Assembly
- Elections for the Legislative Assembly were held once every 2 years
89
What powers over legislation and government did the King have?
- Granted a suspensory veto, allowing him to delay any legislation from becoming law for up to 4 years.
- Given the right to select and appoint ministers to form a cabinet.
90
The King was still provided with financial support. How many livres was he granted/year? How much had this been reduced by?
- Granted 25 million livres
- A reduction of 20 million livres
91
What requirements did active citizens have to adhere to to stand in local government office?
Active citizens had to pay the equivalent of 10 days’ labour in tax.
92
What requirements did active citizens have to adhere to stand in the Legislative Assembly?
Active citizens had to pay the equivalent of 50 days’ labour in tax.
93
What powers did the Legislative Assembly have?
- Make laws
- Collect taxes
- Decide on issues of war and peace.
94
When were the old provinces abolished, what were they replaced by and how many of these?
- 26th February 1790
- Replaced by 83 départements of roughly equal size.
95
How was each département governed?
Each département elected a council of 36, who would then appoint a directorate of 8 to oversee administration.
96
What areas did départements have powers over?
- Law and order
- Assessment and collection of taxes
- Construction of roads.
97
Why was there such radical reform of local government?
- To prevent any excessive power/despotism by a central government as had been seen under the Ancien Regime.
- Part of the decentralisation plan.
98
How was organisation of the judiciary changed? How was this fairer than the system of the Ancien Regime?
- Each département had a criminal court, with a dual jury system.
- One determined whether a case would go to trial, and one determined judgements.
- JPs would oversee civil cases too.
99
How was the new judiciary system fairer than the one under the Ancien Regime?
The law was equally subjected to all citizens.
100
How did the employment of judges change under the reforms? What significance did this have?
Judges were paid set salaries rather than by those they served, as well as being made state employees in order to eradicate the venal culture among the judiciary.
101
How were legal rights specifically reformed under the reforms of 1789-91? ( 4 bullet points)
- Every accused person was before a judge within 24 hours
- All accused would be assisted by a lawyer
- Torture/branding/hanging all abolished and replaced by the guillotine
- Sentences were made fair and proportionate for all.
102
What was the overall change made to the legal system under the reforms of 1789-91?
Justice made cheaper and more accessible, fairer judgements were created by introducing jury trials.
103
When were assignats first issued?
December 1789
104
When were the Gabelle (salt) and the Aides (drinks) tax respectively abolished?
- The Gabelle was abolished in March 1790
- The Aides was abolished in 1791.
105
What was expected to happen to taxes by the peasants and poor following the August Decrees?
Following the August Decrees, it was expected by the poor that the burden of tax would fall upon the rich and wealthy immediately.
106
What was the ‘Patriotic Contribution’ and why was it introduced?
A 25% tax paid over 2 years on all whose incomes exceeded 400 livres/year.
107
When was the economic restructuring programme introduced? What did this propose?
The economic restructuring programme, introduced in 1791, proposed a land tax, a property tax and a tax on commercial activities.
108
When was trade in grain deregulated? What impacts did this have?
- August 1789
- Prices were left to the market rather than controlled by the state
109
How did the new land-owning bourgeoisie aid agriculture?
The bourgeoisie aided agriculture by farming more profitably and exploiting the resources of their estate.
110
How were divisions created by the deregulation of food markets?
The deregulation of controls on foods left prices to fluctuate based on markets, with merchants also maximising their profits and therefore food prices remaining high.
111
What social divisions emerged following the abolition of venality and privilege in France?
Following the abolition of feudalism and privilege, divisions of wealth and office replaced these, as well as of gender as men had more rights than women.
112
What was Le Chapelier Law and when was it introduced?
- June 1791
- Limited freedom of association, forbade workers from conducting strikes and forming trade unions to protect their rights.
113
What title was used to refer to every French person following the abolition of feudalism?
Citizen and not terms indicating a difference in social class
