History A2 French Revolution Essay Factors

Long Term

• Structure and governing (Social divisions, rise of the middle classes- unfair 'venal' system)
• Enlightenment thinking (Rousseau, Abbe Sieyes etc.)

Short Term

• Foreign Policy (getting involved in War of Independence, costs a lot leading to...)
• Financial crisis/ Bankruptcy (calling of the Estates-General, setting up of National assembly etc.)

• The Nobles Revolt (1788, loses Louis his traditional suppporters)
• Bourgeoisie Revolution (political, Tennis Court Oath, creation of National Assembly- direct challenge to Louis' authority)
• The role of the sans-culottes (Versailles journee)
• Louis' mistakes (failing to act)
• The Peasants' Revolt (made the revolution FRENCH, not PARISIAN)

• The war in Europe (going badly, fear of invasion amplifies other factors, brings radical federes into Paris, Brunswick/Pillnitz)
• The failing economy (radicalises sans-culottes, makes republicanism mainstream- 80% of wages on bread)
• Divisions in society (Jacobin/ Cordeliers clubs, rise of middle classes, Civil Constitution of the Clergy)
• Louis' mistakes (Flight to Varennes, vetoing laws on refractory priests and emigres, failing to recognise his precarious position)

• External threats (war going badly, fear of invasion made radical measures seem necessary)
• Internal threats (civil war, rising in the Vendee)
• Radicalisation of the Assembly (September Massacres/ Louis' execution- deputies know they will be executed if France is invaded/ taken over by rebels)
• Creation of the CPS and overthrow of the Girondins (political structure concentrates power- dictatorship goes unchecked, deputies afraid of arguing with CPS)

• Political Terror (execution of moderates radicalises the rest- Danton, Hebert)
• Economic Terror (Maximum, execution of hoarders)
• Religious Terror (dechristianisation, Cult of the Supreme Being)
• Defeating external threats (the requisitioning of war supplies/ 'levee en masse' is successful (Carnot), France reaches 'natural frontiers'- Rhine, Alps, only fighting Britain- Battle of Valmy removes Austria, turning point)
• Deepening social divisions (Maximum pits Parisians against peasants, dechristianisation alienates provinces)

• Structure/ Impact of 1795 Constitution (very democratic, but too many checks and balances- Directors have to rely on the army to control Councils)
• Political Developments (Vendemiaire Uprising- role of military/Napoleon, Coup of Fructidor- use of military to end democracy)
• Military Successes (war going well, leads to Napoleon's advancement and growing popularity)
• Economic Developments (reliance on 'booty' from war for income, but Ramel's reforms-bankruptcy of two-thirds, new taxes- balance the budget for the first time since pre-1789) 

Long Term

• Problems of the Directory (Constitution (too many checks and balances- Directors have to rely on the army to control Councils), use of military in Vendemiaire, Fructidor starts slide towards military government, war going badly 1798-99)
• Personal Popularity of Napoleon (military successes in Italy and Austria, out of the way in Egypt for last few years so not seen as part of recent political squabbling)
• Political apathy

Short Term

• Lawlessness in parts of France (desertions in the army, Jourdan's Law, Law of Hostages creates resentment)
• Attempt by Sieyes to take power (Moreau recommends Napoleon, Council removed to Saint-Cloud, Lucien and army defend Napoleon against deputies)

Support

• Political contrast to Directory (not a 'man of party', new Constitution- First Consul, seen as strong leader)
• Patronage (meritocracy, Legion d'Honneur- loyalty of able supporters is unwavering)
• Concordat (resolves religious issue peacefully, retains CONTROL over Church in France through bishops)
• Education (sets up lycees for civil servants/ military, teacher training introduced, university set up in Paris)
• Military Victories (Marengo etc. consolidate position, maintain popularity)

Control

• Spies, propaganda, censorship, Fouche's secret police eliminate opposition
• Assassination attempt caused timing (1804)

• Political (Constitution)
• Religion (Concordat resolves an issue that has plagued France since 1789, retains control of bishops)
• Administrative (Code Napoleon makes French system most modern in Europe, permanently influences occupied countries)
• Education (sets up lycees for civil servants/ military, teacher training introduced, university set up in Paris)
• Economy (relies on war)

• Problems inherited (opposition to the restoration of a Bourbon, Second Peace of Paris is personally signed by him- seen as working with Allies)
• Charter of 1814 (can follow Spirit or Letter- he follows Spirit and is relatively liberal- 'middle path')
• Political policies UP TO 1820 (dissolves 'la chambre introuvable', appoints Decazes (liberal), abolishes censorship)
• Political policies AFTER 1820 (assassination of Duc de Berry- polarisation, reaction against liberals, Louis dominated by Ultras/ Comte d'Artois)
• Economic policies (appoints Villele who reforms finance administration, reforms taxation, pays off indemnity by 1818, Aix-la-Chapelle)
• Religious policies (leaves religion alone until 1820- knows it's a sensitive issue- but places education in bishops' hands in 1821)

• Charles' incompetence (belief in DROK, Ordinances of Saint-Cloud, hunting at Rambouillet, failure to secure key positions- troops in Algiers, disbanding of Paris National Guard)
• Situation in Paris (rioting, economic crisis- 66%, 25%)

• Political policies (keeps 'la chambre retrouvee', keeps Villele- unpopular- appoints Martignac- yes man- appoints Polignac- Ultra Ultra. Out of touch- declaration by Chamber that unfair system is invalid.)
• Religious policies (coronation at Rheims, sacrilege, Jesuit conspiracy)
• Economic policies (compensation for emigres)

• Systemic issues (Charter of 1814, political polarisation in 1820, social divisions)
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• Systemic issues (winners/losers of revolution- social divisions, the Charter of 1814- Louis follows Spirit, Charles follows Letter, shown by appointment of ministers).
• Political policies (Louis dissolves 'la chambre introuvable', Charles keeps 'la chambre retrouvee', contrast between Decazes' liberalism and Polignac- Chamber Declaration March 1830, 1820 shift)
• Economic policies (Louis very successful- appointment of Villele, Aix-la-Chapelle, Charles also successful but compensation for emigres makes him unpopular)
• Religious policies (Louis leaves it alone other than education 1821, Charles restores church influence- coronation, sacrilege results in Jesuit conspiracy)
• Short term causes of July Revolution (Charles' incompetence, situation in Paris- 66%, 25%)