Causes of the French Revolution Chapter 2

France suffered significant economic losses during the War of Spanish Succession, despite maintaining its major power status.

The belief that kings' power comes directly from God, making them untouchable and preventing citizens from resisting.

Louis XV ruled France from 1715-1774, marked by weakness, wars, and societal shifts

Salons in the Enlightenment era sparked discussions challenging the existing French social and political structure.

Major European conflict involving France impacting the country's economic struggles.

Louis XV lacked the strong leadership and will of his predecessor, contributing to France's decline.

A system of government where the monarch holds absolute power, free from interference from other groups.

French courts that saw their power reduced under absolute monarchy but later gained influence again

Individuals or groups granted the privilege by the Crown to collect taxes in a specific region, keeping any surplus above the agreed amount.

A property tax levied on French peasants by the Crown, contributing to their financial burden.

A compulsory labor tax levied on French peasants, requiring them to work on public projects like roads.

An income tax imposed on French peasants by the Crown, adding to their financial obligations.

A system that regulated urban workers in France, restricting movement between apprenticeship, journeyman, and master levels.

The most vulnerable group in French cities, often former peasants who struggled to find work and faced poverty and starvation.

French peasants faced multiple taxes: the taille, the corvée, the vingtièmes, feudal dues, and tithes to the Church.

The guild system in France regulated urban workers, limiting their mobility and ensuring a hierarchy of skills, from apprenticeship to master craftsman.

Turgot's attempt to reduce France's economic troubles by introducing free trade and cutting government spending.

Necker's strategy of borrowing heavily to finance the American War of Independence, ultimately leading to a huge debt burden.

The royal budget published by Necker in 1781, exposing the poor state of French finances to the public.

A group of influential nobles and officials convened by Calonne to support his proposed reforms, but they resisted without radical system changes.

Calonne's plan for financial reform, including a general tax on landowners, abolition of corvee, and reform of salt tax.

A representative body in France, consisting of three estates (clergy, nobility, and commoners), that was called upon to address France's financial crisis in 1789.

Charles Alexandre de Calonne was the comptroller-general of France, who attempted to reform the tax system, but was ultimately dismissed due to his unpopular policies.

The archbishop of Toulouse, who replaced Calonne as comptroller-general, and tried to implement similar tax reforms but faced resistance from the Parlement.

The French courts (Parlements) opposed the king's attempts to implement tax reforms, leading to political turmoil and ultimately the calling of the Estates General.

The method of voting in the Estates General was a major point of contention. Vote by bloc meant each estate voted as a single unit, while vote by head allowed individual members to vote.

A French clergyman and political theorist who wrote the influential pamphlet "What is the Third Estate?", advocating for the increased representation of the commoners.

The commoners (third estate) demanded more political representation and a fair voting system in the Estates General.

In the Estates General elections, only men over 25 with property ownership, tax payment or a responsible position could vote. Women, except those owning feudal lands by proxy, were excluded.

The Third Estate in pre-revolutionary France was primarily made up of lawyers and bourgeois representatives, reflecting Enlightenment ideals rather than the traditional conservative views of the peasantry.

Lists of grievances compiled by the French people in 1789 to express their concerns and demands for change to Louis XVI.

The American Revolution's success inspired French intellectuals and reformers, contributing to a growing sense of liberty and a desire for change in France.

A document adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, declaring the American colonies' independence from Britain.

France's support for the American colonists in the Revolutionary War, initially through weapons, and later by formally declaring war on Britain.

France's involvement in the American Revolution heavily strained its finances, contributing to already existing economic problems under Louis XVI.

The treaty signed in 1783 that officially ended the American Revolutionary War, with France recognizing American independence.

The French government's revenue was significantly impacted by the American Revolution, with interest payments on war loans reaching 50% of total revenue.

A conflict from 1701 to 1714, triggered by the death of King Charles II of Spain without an heir. European powers fought over who would inherit the Spanish throne. France supported a French prince as the successor, but ultimately failed.

An appointed official in the French administrative system during the Old Regime. They had broad authority over a province, managing finances, justice, and the police. They served as the king's representative, ensuring his orders were followed.

High courts in France. They served as a check on the king's power by registering royal decrees. They also held influence over the king's decisions, though their power was ultimately limited under the absolute monarch.

1. Clergy: Religious leaders, owning a vast amount of land and holding privilege. 2. Nobility: Holders of noble titles with extensive privileges, exempt from taxes and holding the top positions in government and the military. 3. Third Estate: Everyone else, including peasants, artisans, merchants, and wealthy urban dwellers who bore the brunt of taxes and had limited privileges.

French peasants struggled under a heavy tax burden. Taxes included the taille (land tax), corvée (labor tax), vingtièmes (income tax), feudal dues to their lords, and tithes to the Church. These taxes often took a significant portion of their income, leaving them with little for themselves.

The practice of buying a noble title for wealth and privilege, weakening the existing nobility and distorting the social hierarchy. It also undermined the French economy by creating an artificial aristocracy and draining resources away from essential sectors.

A meeting of the three estates convened by Louis XVI to address the growing financial crisis. It was the first time the Estates General met since 1614. It was a critical turning point in the French Revolution, marking the beginning of the end for the Old Regime.

A pivotal moment in the early days of the French Revolution where the Third Estate declared themselves the National Assembly after being locked out from their meeting hall. They pledged to stay together until a new constitution was created for France. This act challenged the king's authority and marked the beginning of the revolution.