FR section 2 - hard - Jacques Necker and France's Finances Quiz

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What was Calonne's proposal to transform the corvée, peasants' labor services on public works?

To abolish it completely

To make it mandatory for all peasants

To increase the labor services

To change it into money payments (correct)

What did Calonne intend to establish to approve land taxes?

An aristocratic council

A parliamentary committee

A royal commission

New local assemblies made up of landowners (correct)

Why did the Assembly of Notables refuse to support Calonne's plan?

They were in favor of the land tax proposal

They wanted to acquire power for themselves

They believed the plan favored the lower class

They did not trust the information from Calonne (correct)

What was the primary reason behind the notables' call for the reappointment of Necker?

They believed Necker had left the country in sound fiscal condition Signup and view all the answers

What did the Parlement of Paris claim about the authority to authorize the new land tax?

It lacked authority to authorize the tax and only the Estates General could do so Signup and view all the answers

What was the response of the clergy to Brienne's appeal for a large subsidy?

They refused the subsidy and reduced their voluntary contribution Signup and view all the answers

What did the local aristocratic parlements and estates in the provinces demand?

To restore the privileges they had enjoyed before Richelieu and Louis XIV Signup and view all the answers

Who produced a public report in 1781 that downplayed France’s financial difficulties?

Jacques Necker Signup and view all the answers

What happened in the summer of 1788 that brought the financial crisis to a new point of urgency?

Bankers refused to extend necessary short-term credit to the government Signup and view all the answers

Who replaced Étienne Charles Loménie de Brienne after he resigned?

Necker Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of France’s successful intervention on behalf of the American colonists against the British?

Worsened the financial problems of Louis XVI’s government Signup and view all the answers

Why was Necker pressured to leave office?

Embarrassed court aristocratic circles with his revelations Signup and view all the answers

What did the calling of the Estates General signify?

That some kind of political reform was coming Signup and view all the answers

What was Calonne's proposal to encourage internal trade?

To remove internal barriers to trade Signup and view all the answers

What did Necker argue in his public report of 1781?

The budget was in surplus if expenditures for the American war were removed Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for Calonne's proposed new land tax?

To reduce the need for additional taxes requiring approval from the aristocratically dominated parlements Signup and view all the answers

What was a large portion of royal expenditures revealed to go to in Necker’s report?

Pensions for aristocrats and other royal court favorites Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of Necker’s misleading assessment of French finances?

Made it more difficult for government officials to claim a real need to raise new taxes Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of Charles Alexandre de Calonne in 1786?

Minister of finance Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for Necker’s departure from office?

Embarrassed court aristocratic circles with his revelations Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of France’s aid to America on its debt by 1781?

Its debt was larger Signup and view all the answers

What did Necker not want to admit about France’s financial situation?

That the situation was as bad as was feared Signup and view all the answers

What did Necker use in his 1781 public report to downplay France’s financial difficulties?

Financial sleight of hand Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of Necker’s report on the ability of government officials to raise new taxes?