PSIR205 Week6 French Revolution

The Crises of the Monarchy General issues in Europe in 18th century concerning the tension between the monarchy and nobles Britain (George III), Prussia (Frederick II), Russia (Catharine II), Austria (Joseph II) France: After the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763) France was under heavy debt burdens.

New Taxes French kings wished to tax nobles and restrict the influence of nobles in government In 1770, Rene Maupeu, the chancellor of Louis XV, abolished the parlements and implemented administration reform Nobles, inspired by the thoughts of Enlightenment, wished to return to pre-absolutist era In 1781, Jacques Necker, a Swiss banker, became the director-general of finances investigated the country’s budget and found that the financial problems were due to pensions that were paid to aristocrats and court favourites.

Calonne’s reform plan and the Assembly of Notables Necker was removed from office due to reaction of nobles and he was replaced by Charles Alexander Calonne Calonne came up with another reform strategy, suggesting to tax all land ownders regardless of their status This proposal raised tension among the nobles and the clergy who had enjoyed privilidges and exemption Calonne planned to convene an Assembly of Notables, whch represented higher-ranking aristocrats and clery The Assembly resisted cooperating with Calonne, wishing to bring Necker back. The Assembly proposed to convene Estates General (constituted of three estates- the clergy, aristocrats, and the rest), which traditionally worked for reinforcing the power of the the nobility and the clergy

Deadlock and the Calling of the Estates General Lois XVI replaced Calonne with Etienne Charles Lomenie de Brienne, an opponent of Calonne on the Assembly of Notables. When Brienne took office though he realized the situation as bad as Calonne described and he also became the supporter of a land reform The Parlement of Paris resisted to such move and persisted in convening the Estates General Meanwhile Brienne asked financial help from the Assembly of Clergy. Yet the clergy declined such proposal and even reduced their contribution to the budget The government was under presssure from different groups: Notables, the parlements and estates of the provinces It was inevitable to convene the Estated General and absolutism was defeated Brienne resigned and Necker again the became responsible from financial affairs

The Revolution of 1789 Different views and approaches to the explanation of the Revolution Marxists historians considered the revolution as an outcome of class conflict between the aristocracy and bourgeoisıe The authors of our book criticizes that approach and argue that events during the revolution were complex and that class conflict was a strategy of the leaders to achieve their goals Both aristocracy and the bourgeosie were against the monarchy and both wanted the government to represent the interests of the wealthy During the revolution bourgeosie appealed to tradespeople and workers for support During the radicalized phases of the revolution, upper and middle classes aligned to protect rights of private property.

The Estates General Becomes the National Assembly Debates over Organization and Voting Aristocracy and the Third Estate clashed on this issue Aristocracy demanded equal number of represantatives. Then The First and Second Estates agreed upon one vote for each estate procedure. Doubling the Third: The royal council granted double seats for the Third Estate as it was considered to be the best ally in proposed reforms concerning financial recovery Liberals and clergy, some of their members, supported the Third Estate The Cahiers de Doleances (the list of grievances): The list contained the issues: gpvernment waste, indirect taxes, church taxes, corrupt clergy, and the hunting rights of the arictocracy Periodical meeting of the Estates General, more fair taxes, free press, and equal rights The third Estate Creates the National Assembly: Third Estate rejected to sit as a seperate order Clergy and nobles joined the Third Estate June 17 Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly and Second Estate joined the assembly The Tennis Court Oath: June 20, members of the Assembly gave an oath not to disperse until a constitution was written. King Lois XVI requested the First and the Second Estates to meet with the Assembly and decided that voting would be condected in accordance with te principle for per head National Assembly took the name of National Constituent Assmebly which would be responsible of writing of a constitution

Tennis Court Oath

Fall of The Bastille The King resisted to the demand of the National Constituent Assembly to establish a constitutional monarchy. The King took Necker from power and placed royal troops around Versailles and Paris. Parisians formed a citizens militia and on July 14, 800 people mostly of working class, marched to Bastille (a fortress) to supply weapons for the citizen militia On July 15, militia changed its name to National Guard, commanded by a Marquis de Lafayette. He recommended using a badge as a symbol, called cockade. Red and blue stripes (the colors of Paris) and white stripe (the emblem of the King) People took then control of the city, and even the King had to wear a cockade

Cockade

The Great Fear and the night of August 4 Peasants burned chateaux, demolished public records, and demanded and and end to feudal dues and their land that they had to lost to aristocracy. They seized food stores. Liberal nobles and the clergy renounced their feudal rights, dues, and tithes (they gave up what they already lost). This should lead to reconstruction of law and society National Constituent Assembly used to fear caused by popular uprisings to intimidate the king and conservative aristocracts.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens August 27, 1789: The Declaration of the Rights and Man and Citizen