Chapter 2 Causes of the French Revolution

Explain the concept of absolute monarchy. How did absolutism tend to limit attempts at reform?In a society with an absolute monarch, power is centralized and government is strengthened. The monarch tries to rid the country of all opposition to the Crown. The Crown alone creates laws and controls military force. Any attempts at reform would place power in the hands of others at the expense of the monarch. Thus, absolutism discouraged and even prevented reforms.

Briefly explain the causes and course of events of the War of Spanish Succession. What was the most significant result of this conflict for France?When Charles II, King of Spain, died without an heir, Louis XIV wanted the throne to be held by a member of the French royal family, the Bourbons. The rest of Europe disapproved of this ambition, and believed that such an arrangement would put too much power into the hands of France.

Charles II, in his will, stated that the Spanish throne should first be offered to France and then to Austria. When Louis XIV accepted the throne for his grandson, many European nations allied themselves and declared war on France. This war ended in 1713 with the Treaty of Utrecht. The Spanish empire was divided. France and Great Britain emerged as the major European powers. However, this war was significant because it put Frances economy in real trouble. The successors of Louis XIV would have great difficulty as a result of this debt.

Explain how foreign wars contributed to the insurmountable French debt.France participated in various foreign wars and each one added to the already significant national debt. The Seven Years War (1756-1763) was fought in Europe as well as in North America. France also decided to join the Thirteen Colonies in its War of Independence against its major rival, Britain. This support once again plunged France further into debt.

Explain the role of the intendant in the French administrative system The position of intendant was created to weaken the French nobility, who clamored for more political power. The intendants were administrative officers responsible to the Crown.

What were the parlements? How did they contribute to the absolute power of the monarch and the system of privilege which existed in France?The parlements were legal and judicial institutions which registered the Kings edicts. They were made up of nobles who had purchased the office. As a result, these nobles made sure that the interests of the upper class were protected. Sometimes, the parlements would work against the wishes of the Crown. Louis XV exiled the Parlement de Paris at Troyes and replaced them with representatives who would respect the wishes of the Crown. When Louis XVI took the throne, the general population pressured him to restore the exiled members of the parlement, believing that these people worked in the interest of the people.

Name and describe the three estates which existed in the Old Regime in France.First Estate100,000 or 0.5%Clergy, owned more than 10% of the land collected income and feudal taxesentitled to the titheowned commercial propertydid not have to pay taxes, but gave the government a gift every five years, Hierarchical; parish priests did most of the work, not all supported the system as it was

Second Estate390,000 or 1.5%Nobles, superior status, social prestige, special rights, exemptions from duties or taxes, hunting privileges not all supported the king or the Old Regime

Third Estate About 27 million people or 98%All other groups: from wealthy bourgeoisie, professionals, artisans, city workers, peasant landowners, landless peasants

Bourgeoisie wealthy shopkeepers, artisans, lawyers, bureaucrats-could become part of the Farmers General (tax collection), some sought to advance in society through buying titlesUrban Workers not a large group, guild system or subsistence wages, unhappy with current systemPeasants some wealthy peasants, small landowners, renters, and landless peasants (day labourers), paid many taxes (as much as 70% if income went towards tax payments), generally supportive of monarchy and R.C.C.

What sources of income did the Roman Catholic Church possess? Explain the free gift required of the Church by the king.Sources of income:-owned 10% of land collected income and feudal taxes -tithe 10% of everyones income-commercial propertyThe Church did not have to pay taxes. Every five years, the Church was to give a gift to the king. This gift was usually about 5% of the Churchs revenue.

Make a list of the privileges enjoyed by the nobility of France. Assess the impact of these privileges on the peasant.1. Exemptions from duties and taxes this meant that peasants would have to shoulder the burden of taxation2. Hunting rights might cause damage to peasant crops

List the taxes imposed on the peasant. Evaluate the justice of this tax load in relationship to the second estate. Peasants had to pay the taille (property tax), the corvee (road tax), a tax on income, various feudal dues and the tithe to the Church. In the end, peasants spent as much as 70% of their income on tax payments. This is an unjust tax system considering most of the wealth lies in the first and second estates. While these two small groups are exempted, the third estate funds their lavish lifestyles.

Explain why the practice of purchasing noble status was considered detrimental to the French economy. Members of the bourgeoisie who desired to move up in the world, both economically and socially, sometimes purchased noble status. This was detrimental to the French economy because it took money out business and into a worthless title. As a result, the economy and the businesses of the bourgeoisie in particular, experienced little growth or development.

Make a chart of the economic reforms attempted by Turgot, Necker, de Fleury, Calonne, and de Brienne. Which reforms were approved by the king? Which were not? Why did the attempt at economic reform do nothing to solve the problem of Frances growing debt?Turgottax reform wanted to clean up tax collection, abolished guilds (believed they were monopolies), freed grain from internal tariffs, wanted to replace the corvee with a tax on all estatesinitially supported by the King, but not by nobility or the Church

Neckerborrowed money to fund French participation in the American Revolution, published the royal budget for the first timethe King did not approve of releasing the budget to the public

Fleuryarranged for a third vingtieme tax (another income tax)Calonneborrowed heavily, increased taxation, wanted to introduce a tax for all landowners instead of the taille and the corvee he wanted to reform the gabelle and remove customs duties to bring about economic growthwanted to create a state bank, wanted provincial assemblies in which all estates were representedthe King approvedthe Assembly of Notables did not approve of tax reform and demanded more control in governmentdeadlock followedCalonne dismissed

These attempted reforms did nothing to solve Frances economic problems - tax system was not reformed. Borrowing, interest, and debts increased - no new sources of money. The first and second estates refused to agree to any of these proposals as they would jeopardize their privileged position within France. In the end, their reluctance to share the tax burden would end in revolution.

Why did Louis XVI call the Estates General?In 1787 the royal government and the parlements could not agree on how to reform the system or deal with Frances debt. The royal government did not know how to deal with demands from the nobility for greater power. In 1788, Louis XVI called the Estates General at the request of the nobility. The Estates General represented all three classes and it was hoped that the deadlock could be broken.

What were the cahiers? Name three demands which were voiced in the cahiers.The cahiers were lists of grievances outlining the concerns of each estate. Louis XVI asked each estate to put together its own list. Three demands were:Development of a constitution Demand for equality of taxationThose from urban areas wanted individual rights while those from rural areas were concerned about nobles hunting rights

Explain the difference between the traditional vote by bloc and the desired vote by head in the Estates General. Why was vote by head so important to the third estate?Traditionally, each estate would vote by bloc, one vote for the first estate, one for the second and so on. The third estate wanted each member of the assembly to be able to vote individually. Members of the third estate felt that, considering they made up 98% of the population, they should be given more power in voting.