Pre-Revolutionary France… Problematic to say the least

Module aims Explain the financial difficulties in France before the Revolution. To assess the social problems and political divisions within the country. To judge the significance of these issues and assess which is most responsible for the Revolution of 1789. Explain process of the Revolution.

The Ancien Regime

Absolutism Absolute monarchy was the accepted form of governance in France. It ensured that; Powers were absolute and not limited by a constitution. Unrestricted political powers. No need to heed the advice or wishes of subjects.

French Absolutism – Divine Right A political and social doctrine that was commonly held in Europe. Established that God selected the King and therefore only God had the power to judge a King and any attempt to remove a King would be sacrilegious. The idea of divine right criticised during the Enlightenment. It allowed the stagnation of political thought and it allowed the corruption of power. It was increasingly criticised by disenfranchised nobles, Church leaders and political writers and thinkers.

The 3 Estates

1st. What is the third estate. Everything. 2nd 1st. What is the third estate? Everything. 2nd. What has it been heretofore in the political order? Nothing. 3rd. What does it demand? To become something therein. Abbé Sieyès, What is the Third Estate? (1789) The First Estate was the clergy, who ran both the Catholic church and some aspects of the country, like education. The clergy also had the power to levy a 10% tax known as the tithe. The Church also paid a tax ‘gift’, the decime, which allowed them to avoid any heavy taxation. The Second Estate consisted of the nobility of France, including members of the royal family, except for the King. Members of the Second Estate did not have to pay any taxes and could not be tried in normal courts. Like the clergy, they also collected taxes from the Third Estate, mainly in terms of rent. The Third Estate was made up of everyone else, from peasant farmers to the bourgeoisie. The burden of taxation fell on this 96% of the population. They were also used for conscription, forced labour and had no privileges.

Relationship between the Estates The Estates General hadn’t met since 1614 and were only called together in 1789 after massive protests from Estates. By 1789 the 3rd Estate comprised of 25m people and the haute bourgeois had become angered about the glass ceiling preventing them from progression. Very few members of the Estates General were completely anti-Monarchy, many simply wanted an improvement of their own circumstances. In 1787, following the financial crashes, Louis XVI called a meeting of 144 Notables, made up of judges, archbishops and nobles. The aim was to get them to support taxation changes that Calonne, the Finance Minister, had proposed. They were rejected by the Notables. This defiance marks one of the starting points for the 1789 Revolution. The Notables demanded that the Estates General needed to meet to discuss further taxation actions.

Parlements Regional legislative and judicial courts, which started in Paris. Some parlements began to register opposition to Louis, often waiting for a lettre de cachet before acting. They could also pass localised laws. Parlements often looked to secure their privileged positons, especially when looking to avoid taxation changes.

Challenge: Using the information just given, aim to create the Ancien Regime out of items on your desks. Be creative…

Act of God or stupidity? Wine prices collapsed in 1770s. Poor harvests in 1778-9, 1781-2, 1785-6. 1788 freak hailstorms wrecked crops. Mass unemployment followed. The Eden Treaty began in 1787, allowing English goods to be imported at reduced rates. By 1789 Parisian workers could be spending 88% of wages on bread. Economic disturbances and riots increased, with attacks on the wallpaper manufacturer Reveillon being followed by 50 dead or wounded by troops in Paris alone.

1756–1783 France builds up enormous debt by participating in the Seven Years’ War and American Revolution. November 2, 1783 Louis XVI appoints Charles de Calonne controller general of finance. By 1786 France was on verge of bankruptcy with a deficit of 112m livres. February 22, 1787 Assembly of Notables convenes, rejects Calonne’s debt-relief proposals. By 1788 the first budget, the Treasury Account, revealed a deficit of 126m livres, 20% of expenditure.

Financial Crises – the reaction Financial situation would/should have been managable. However: Crown was not receiving the correct level of taxation due to corruption. There was no representative body to guarantee loans. The 1st and 2nd estates were hardly taxed and refused to listen to alternative tax reforms put forward by Calonne. The King was weak. Cost of US War = 1,066m livres, debt in Britain was 3x as bad.

Challenge: Using the information just given, aim to demonstrate the financial problems of France by either creating a flow chart of factors, a mime, a short drama piece or a drawing. Be creative…

Failings of Ministers Charles-Alexandre de Calonne Étienne Charles de Loménie de Brienne Jacques Necker

Attempts at Financial Reform Between 1777 and 1781, Jacques Necker, Director-General of Finance, had raised 520m livres worth of loans. These had to be done at high interest rates, thus increasing debts. He did, however, aim to reform the system. Aimed to replace independent, venal financiers with civil servants that he could dismiss. Aimed to create a central treasury for all taxes to be paid into. In 1781 he published the Compte Rendu, a breakdown of Royal finances to reassure creditors. Showed a 10m surplus. Treasury was, however, still 295m livres short for 1782, which led to Fleury and Calonne undoing a lot of Necker’s work. They allowed offices to be bought and allowed loans with 16% interest from Russia and America. 50 most powerful Receivers-General removed.

Results By 1786, Calonne began to attempt tax reform. Aimed to replace vingtieme and capitation with a single, all encompassing land tax. Also wanted to abolish grain controls and internal customs barriers. Needed approval/discussion, but Estates overlooked for Assembly of Notables. Louis agreed, hoping for compliance, but misjudged it and the 144 representatives rejected the proposals, demanding an Estates-General meeting. King looked weak and Calonne fired, replaced by Brienne. Still no deal and Brienne continued Calonne’s work. Parlement of Paris rejected reforms and was exiled, other Parlements paralysed system and Brienne forced to allow meeting of EG before 1792. Assembly of Notables includes bishops, parlements, princes, nobles

Did the Finance Ministers fail the system or did the system fail the Finance Ministers?

The Notables and the Revolt of the Nobles Notables = 144 important individuals, i.e. Archbishops, princes etc. Nobles = landed aristocracy. Parlement appeared to support the people and announced the ‘Fundamental Laws’, which stated: Right to vote on taxes belonged to Estates General. No imprisonment without trial. The King could not change privileges and customs of provinces. Bit bad to go head to head with the King… King and Lamoignan curtailed Parlements’ powers to vote on royal decrees and judicial powers were reduced. Q: Why was it a mistake to act like this? Despotism = government that rules with absolute power.

Spark = Fire King’s actions sparked unrest in parlements, riots in Rennes and Brittany. Nobles met in unauthorised assemblies. Clergy began to join the parlements and voted lowest ever don gratuit. Impact was restricted to a few areas and no sense that it would become a full blown revolt. However, by 1788 Brienne admitted France was bankrupt and argued that Necker should be recalled. Brienne and Lamoignon resigned and Necker returned, but demanded the Estates-General met before he did anything.

“As a Frenchman I want the Estates-General, as a minister I am bound to tell you that they might destroy your authority” Marquis de Castries, 1787

Final challenge In your tables, create a hierarchy of factors that brought the Revolution forward. For example was it taxation or poor finance ministers? Get it, poor finance ministers!! Justify which reason sparks the Revolution.

AQA Exam questions Explain why the French monarchy was in a weak financial position in 1788. (12 marks) [Jan 2011] How important were the ideas of the Enlightenment in challenging the existing order in France by 1789? (24 marks) [Jan 2010]