Crises 1781-88 Revolutions Unit 3 AOS 1 Date: 25/05/2019 Learning intention: SWBAT explain how attempts and financial reform contributed to pre-revolutionary tensions Success Criteria Take at least 15 dot point notes on the financial crisis Write a short answer exam question Share 2-3 points of interest on your revolutionary persona Summarise the conditions of one of the Three Estates of Ancien Regime France

CRISES OF PRE-REVOLUTIONARY FRANCE 1781-1788 The Compte-rendu 1781 The fiscal crisis 1786 Calonne’s tax reforms The Assembly of Notables Feb-May1787 The Parlement of Paris and lits de justice 1787-88 The aristocratic revolt: May-Sept 1788 The Bankruptcy Aug 1788 The Pamphlet War and What is the Third Estate? 1788-89 The cahiers de doleances 1788-89

WAR as a crisis building towards revolution The American War of Independence 1778-1783 Outcomes: Contributed significantly to foreign debt – By the time the war ended in 1783 it had cost the French state over 1 billion livres 8,000 French soldiers who had served returned to France with ‘The American Spirit’ –ideas about representation, individual liberties, freedom from despotism, popular sovereignty, inalienable rights enshrined in a written constitution, with government authority strictly limited through separation of powers and accountability to the people through a social contract

1786 –Calonne and Tax Reform 1786-Bankruptcy real threat 37.5% of annual revenue spent on servicing foreign debt in 1775, (this to grow to 41.2 by 1788) Forecast deficit for 1786 about 25% of annual revenues (taxation income) Tax reform which abolished privilege therefore essential

1786 –Calonne and Tax Reform 1786-Bankruptcy real threat This is all a massive surprise to the French people and the King, who based on what Necker’s compte rendu believed France’s Finances were in an excellent position (10 million livres in surplus) Colonne comes in and has to raise more loans to keep running the country

Calonne’s Reforms In 1786, Calonne presents his plan for financial improvement to the King

Calonne’s Reforms Tax on ALL landowners, without exemption …to be set according to income and paid in produce – this would produce more uniform tax system, removing burden from Third Estate Tax assessed and collected through provincial assemblies of landowners-this moving towards principle of those who pay tax agreeing to it Internal customs barriers and fixed prices on grain to be removed to facilitate national market-this would lead to greater efficiency and productivity Significance – reforms attacked entrenched privileges based upon birth A new direct tax be created, a ‘territorial subvention’ that taxed all land owners without exception. This was as opposed to the indirect taxes which instead of being paid straight to the state were collected by corrupt tax farmers The new tax would be based on a land-owners income and be paid in produce – this would mean that the tax burden is spread more evenly and also borne by the upper classes. It would be collected and administered by local assemblies in each province He anticipated that this tax would raise around thirty-five million livres He also proposed that a stamp tax on all documents be extended and that the corvée be replaced by a direct tax. He proposed a reduction in internal trade barriers to create a national market and stimulate trade

Calonne’s Reforms Calonne was of the belief that privilege was the fundamental problem with the French financial system He said the system of privilege ‘alone infects everything, harms everything and prevents any improvements’ Calonne knew the upper two estates, those who benefited most from privilege would push back on these reforms. He still needed money to run the country though, so he needed to convince outside bankers, that the reforms would be passed

Calonne’s Reforms To try to get the reforms approved, he pushed on the King to call for an Assembly of Notables This assembly hadn’t been called since 1626 It was a ‘meeting of the principal and most enlightened persons of the Kingdom These people were chosen by the king Calonne assumed that if they picked the notables, they could pick people who would support their changes He thought that if the assembly of notables approved the plans, the Parlement of Paris, would be compelled to do so too.

Calonne’s Reforms On the 29th of December 1786, the list of notables was published It included a mix of powerful nobles including the Marquis de Lafayette, and an influential clergyman and buddy of the Queen, Lomenie de Brienne Only 30 out of the 144 (20%) of the notables were from the third estate (even though they made up >98% of the population.

Short Answer - Checklist Have I signposted? Have I answered the question? Have I included historical information – names, places, dates, statistics, quotes groups, etc. Have I explained how the information I’ve presented answers the question?