Must Know Facts: Origins of the Revolution Flashcards
(54 cards)
How was Louis XVI’s absolutism limited?
- He took advice from experienced advisors, giving the select advisors a certain amount of power and authority within the system
- Still bound to follow a number of laws and customs that had been previously established in France
- In order to rule, he needed the consent of the nobility
Why was Louis XVI’s marriage in 1770 to Marie Antoinette opposed?
Marie Antoinette was the daughter of the Austrian Empress and the French were hostile towards Austria as they were often blamed for the French defeat in the Seven Year’s War (1753-1763)
What three councils met in the government? What did they deal with?
- Conseil d’État (Council of State) = dealt with judicial and foreign affairs
- Conseil des Dépêches = received despatches from the King’s officials in provinces and dealt with Church affairs
- Conseil des Finances = dealt with state finances, household costs and economic policy
Why did the King appoint intendants? What did they do?
- To act as royal agents, maintaining his rule in the provinces and feeding back information.
- Raise troops, check taxation, coordination of police
What was the size of the clergy?
Around 150,000 which was less than 0.5% of the French population
How much land did the Church own?
10% of all French land
Did the third estate have any privileges?
No – they had to pay direct and indirect taxes and were also liable to conscription and the corvée royal, where they had to perform unpaid labour to service the King’s roads
What were the two kinds of nobility?
- Noblesse de court – nobles located at Versailles, incredibly wealthy, they were the Kings advisors, ministers and ambassadors, holding significant political influence
- Noblesse de robe – members of the nobility created by the monarch, who would sell legal and administrative offices with hereditary titles
What was the size of the second estate?
200,000 – 400,000 members which was around 1% of the population
What did parlements have the right to do? How could Louis overturn it?
‘Remonstrance’ - document sent by a parlement to the monarch protesting a royal decree or details of the decree. Overruled by a ‘Lit de justice’ where he could force the acceptance of an edict but this could result in Louis being accused of acting despotically
Was Louis XVI an absolute monarch? What did this mean?
Louis was an absolute monarch meaning that, in theory, there were no legal limits to his power and ability to initiate certain directives which can be seen when he was coronated and swore an Oath to God rather than the people of France
What was Louis XVI’s character like?
Louis was said to lack his grandfather’s charm as he was weak-willed and indecisive
How much debt was France in by end of American Revolution 1783?
3.3 billion livres
What royal favours could Louis dispense?
- ‘Gratuites’ = free gifts
- ‘Pensions’ = regular sums of money granted by the King as a sign of ‘favour’
- ‘Sinecures’ = incomes attached to offices that were either honorary or required very little input from the recipient
Name all the Enlightenment philosophers (4)
- Montesquieu
- Voltaire
- Rousseau
- Diderot
What was Montesquieu’s (1689–1755) separation of powers?
The power and influence of the legislature, executive and judiciary should not exceed one another and be separate.
What were the main areas/factors of France that Enlightenment philosophers attacked?
The Church, the monarch’s Divine Right, the privileges of the First and Second Estates.
What were the principles of the revolution that were adapted from the Enlightenment?
Liberty, equality and fraternity
How were Enlightenment ideas spread?
Salons, academies, Freemasons, coffee houses
How are the August Decrees in 1789 an example of Enlightenment principles being promoted?
Abolition of feudalism = more equality
What was the Encyclopedia?
An attempt to bring all human knowledge together
What did Diderot compile between 1751–1772?
Encyclopedia
Define the Enlightenment
An intellectual and cultural movement, which spread across Europe during the 18th century
Who was John Locke (1632–1704) and how did he influence the Enlightenment philosophers?
An English political philosopher who had emphasised the need for ‘consent’ in government and also stressed the importance of property rights.
