King Louis & the French Revolution

Tennis Court Oath

- Third Estate was locked out of the meeting so they broke into the Tennis Court and decided to meet until they had a constitution - they persisted when the king was trying to stop them - king plans to use force to stop them which led to the people storming the Bastille and the September Massacres

How did Richelieu's actions towards the Huguenots and nobles strengthen the monarchy?

-Assisted Louis XIII by moving against the Protestants which strengthened the monarchy by preventing rebellion of the people. Protestants could not have walled cities. -Weakened the noble's power and increased the power of indendants which strengthened the monarchy because it showed that the king was in power ( castles were taken down)

Jean Colbert

-King Louis XVI's minister of finance believed in the theory of mercantilism. As an attempt to make France self sufficient, he wanted it to be able to manufacture everything it needed. He gave tax benefits to French companies and provided raw materials to the colonies.

In what way might marriage become a tool for royal families?

-allows people outside the royal bloodline to have a chance at ruling -if the country was struggling, marrying someone influential and powerful could save it

What economic policy did Colbert favor, what was it's purpose, and what did he do to make it a reality?

-favored mercantilism -it's purpose was to prevent wealth from leaving the country and to make France self-sufficient by producing everything it needed instead of relying on imports. -gave government tax funds and benefits to French companies and placed a high tariff on imported goods.

Estates General

-french parliament in which all classes are involved - 1st and 2nd, 300 representatives each -3rd had 600 representatives -1 vote per estate was ok with King, but 3rd estate had virtually no power

What was the religious attitude of Henry IV?

-gave up Protestantism and became Catholic to better his country. -declared religious tolerance in the Edict of Nantes

economic problems

-government had no money b/c of extravegant spending of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. -high prices and high taxes but their income wasn't increasing with it -spending money on war with Great Britain leads to debt -food shortages because of a bad growing season lead to high prices -the King did nothing about this

What about Robespierre appealed to others?

-his passion and determination -well educated in the law and government -timing of when he rose to power -was a commoner and very religious man -embraced elightenment ideas

weak king

-indecisive -paid little attention to his advisors -Queen "helped" make decisions... she pushed the King to spend money and because of this she was hated

Enlightenment ideas

-new government ideas that were not a monarchy -life, liberty, and equality -inspired by the American Revolution (they saw that someone else could do it which gave them hope)

social inequality

-old regime - 3% had all say while 97% had no say

Louis XIV

-the most powerful ruler in French history - Cardinal Mazarin aided him ( he was hated for increasing taxes and strengthening the central government, but ended the 30 years war.) -nobility threatened him which led him to take away their power -he increased the power of intendants -canceled the Edict of Nantes

Why do you think Louis XIV believed he needed such a large and luxurious palace? Explain what everyday purpose and symbol it might have served.

-to show he was powerful -symbolized his power because the wealthier, the more powerful -there needed to be enough space for all of the nobles to stay

Maximillion Robespierre

A Jacobin leader who set out to create a "republic of virtue" by wiping out France's past and became leader of the Committee of Public Safety. Under his power, France was in a period called the Reign of Terror. He executed many people and was later executed himself.

Bastille

A french prison and armory that was stormed by the people to gather weapons and counter attack King Louis. They killed the people in the prison.

How did the French citizens who witnessed the king's execution react?

At first they were silent because they did not know how to feel. But then, they were overcome with happiness and shouting, "Long live the republic!" and throwing hats up in the air.

How are the Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of the Rights of Man similar and different?

Both declarations are a statement to the people's government giving reasons why the government is being rebelled against. However, the French Declaration intended to soley make changes to the existing government whereas the American Declaration intended to start a new government. Both mention the 3 natural rights, but the French Declaration is formatted closer to our Bill of Rights than Declaration of Independence.

How was the Old Regime divided?

First Estate/ Clergy: 130,000 people, no taxes, lots of land Second Estate/ Nobility: 350,000 people, no taxes, lots of land Third Estate/ commoners: divided into peasants, skilled craftsmen, shop keepers, wage earners in the city, and then the borgeoisie (merchants, bankers, doctors, lawyers) who paid all taxes and were 97% of the population. They had little land

Huguenots

French Protestants

What did Louis XIV's use of intendants suggest about his approach to controlling the nobility?

He thought that they should just be replaced in their position of power. It allowed the country to grow from the taxes and the king to rule with less fear of beingoverthrown. Each intendant had to report to him directly so he always knew what was going on.

What were the positive and negative effects left by Louis XIV?

Positive: power to be reckoned with, ranked above all other European countries in art, literature, and statesmanship. They were considered the military might in Europe which allowed the development of a strong empire and colonies. Negative: debt, taxes, unhappy citizens

Which Enlightenment thinkers influenced this time period?

Rosseau, Locke, and Voltaire

How were the revolutions of France and America similar and different?

Similar: use enlightenment ideas to form their statement of change to the government, riots occur, the ruling group eventually has no power, radicals took power and then moderates finally gain it again. Differences: after the Americans won their war, they had immediate power. The French struggled with power because of Robespierre.

What effects did years of riots have on King Louis XIV and his subjects?

The years of riots and people threatening his life made him want to decrease the power of the nobles. The nobles were unhappy with this and the commoners were unhappy with the high taxes.

What did the September Massacres do?

They pressured the Legislative Assembly to set aside the constitution, get rid of the king, and create the National Convention

Why did the National Assembly lose support?

They were trying to combine church and state by using the church to help the country. This alarmed many peasants because they were devout catholics.

Reign of Terror

When Maximillion Robespierre and COPS ruled and killed many people. He eliminated anyone with opposing views and was a dictator.

Radical

a European who favored drastic change to extend democracy to all people

Versailles

a center of the arts like a small royal city that showed Louis's wealth and power to everyone in the palace.

Declaration of the rights of men

a document imposed by the National Assembly that reflected the Declaration of Independence and stated the rights of the people

Legislative Assemly

a new legislative body created by the National Assembly to form a limited monarchy. They created laws and approved or rejected war declarations.

Great Fear

a wave of senseless panic that moved across France after the people stormed the Bastille and rumors circulated that the king was going to hire outlaws to terrorize the commoners

Louis XVI

a weak and indecisive leader who spent money and lived a lavish lifestyle while the country was in debt. He was later executed.

Edict of Nantes

declaration in which the French king Henry IV promised that Protestants could live in peace in France and could set up houses of worship in some French cities.

Factions split France

even though there was a legislative assembly, old topics still remained. groups emerged, called radicals, moderates, and conservatives. Radicals believed in complete change and democracy. Moderates wanted some changes in government but not as many as the radicals. And conservatives wanted few changes in government and like the idea of monarchy.

Intendants

government agents who collect taxes and administer justice

National Assembly

group of 3rd estates delegates who passed laws and reforms in the name of the people; wrote Declaration of the Rights of Man.

How did Louis XIV's treatment of the nobles reflect his belief in absolute authority?

he replaced their spot in the social rankings because the were very powerful and influential and he felt threatened by that. They had to stay in his palace and be watched all the time.

National Convention

ruled from the September Massacres to Terror of Robespierre... created the system of a republic with two houses and a directory of 5.

Committee of Public Safety

task was to protect the Revolution from it's enemies. Under Robespierre's leadership, the committee often has these enemies tried and then quickly executed.

What was the immediate cause of the French Revolution?

the near collapse in government finances which led to food shortages, rising food prices and unemployment

How did King Louis XIV's wars against weaker countries backfire?

the smaller and weaker countries worker together and together they equalled France and Spain's strength.

Why might Britain be considered the big winner during the war of Spanish Succession?

took the fortress that controlled the Mediterranean and gained a role in slave trade. They had more power, land, and stopped France and Spain in the process.