French Revolution Revision Guide

France 1786-1830 Revision Notes France in the 1780’s • Peasants burdened with taxes, rent and feudal dues • Enlightenment • Catholic church – corrupt and wealthy • Ideas of a liberal and representative state • 1770’s depression, bad harvests, unemployment, • By 1789 production and employment in textile industry fell by half • People were desperate, looked for some one to blame and a solution • Haute bourgeoisie – wealthy merchants and tradesmen • Petit bourgeoisie – small shopkeepers and craftsmen • Enlightenment – govt based on a contract to subjects, with obligations • 1178-1783 supported America against GB in War of Independence– led to economic ruin in France • Turgot -, calculated expenses for the war “at the sound of the first canon state will be bankrupt” • To get into 2nd estate had to abandon trade and business to be accepted – not good for industry/economy • Turgot tried to introduce reforms but Paris parlement refused to pass it, dismissed in 1776 • 1780’s – population 27 million • Clergy held 10%-15% land (170,000 people) • Nobles held 1/5th- 1/4 land (300-400,000 people) • Peasants 93%of population own 30% of land • Bourgeoisie expanded 3 times over the century • Commoners – millions • Tithe = 1oth income to the church • Protestant 2/3% of the population • Church no military survive and exempt from direct tax and had their own courts • Voltaire – “the church should be helping the poor, not dressing the few in fabulously wealthy robes” • More people die than are born in French towns • Booming overseas trade Louis XVI and his court • Bound by laws and customs of the kingdom • Did not have to accept the councils advice • Belief in divine right of kings • Wanted to act in the best interests of France • Weak, indecisive • Only a little knowledge of France • Clumsy and awkward in public but still loved by the people • Hardly ever left Paris • Allowed problems to develop as indecisive • Called the estates general to settle reforms Louis finances and reform • 13th July, hailstorm – bad harvest …Price of bread rose, in 1789 88% of peasants wage spent on bread • Rural manufacturing crisis, industrial crisis, economic depression • Govt on verge of bankruptcy • Louis had borrowed massively and in debt • Tax system chaotic, so crown did not receive much taxation • 90% paid by 3rd estate • Tax farmers - corruption • Nobility and clergy taxation privileges • No reforms could be introduced until the taxation system reformed to reduce the national debt, need for EG to be called • 1781 Necker paid high rates of interest to investors - increased debt, and he suggested there was a surplus instead of a deficit balance sheet (lied) compte Rendu • Necker tries to bring govt expenditure on war under control, other r ministers threatened to resign and Necker was dismissed in May • Calonne replaced Necker…