Chapter 6: Attempts to establish constitutional monarchy

    Cards (31)

    • 9th July 1789: National Assembly becomes the 'Constituent Assembly'
    • Significance of the Constituent Assembly
      Between 1789-1791, set about devising a new constitution that would curb the powers of the monarchy and provide 'liberty and equality'
    • Why did the Constituent Assembly try to change the Church?
      • the wealth of the Church
      • went against Enlightenment ideals - many who spoke against the Church were often clergymen themselves (i.e. Abbé Sièyes)
    • What religious changes were made between August 1789-June 1790?
      • Pluralism was abolished
      • Payment of annates was ended
      • The tithe and the don gratuit were abolished
      • Synods were abolished
      • Church property was nationalised (2nd Nov 1789)
      • Full citizenship granted to Protestants
      • All religious orders dissolved - unless contributing to community
    • Feb 1790 onwards - state also sold off monastic wealth and property
    • What was the Civil Constitution of the Clergy (12th June 1790)? 

      the decree outlining the reorganisation of the Church
    • What was stated in the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?
      • Clergymen would become state officials
      • Bishops and priests were to be elected
      • Papal power to confirm bishops outlawed
      • Boundaries of dioceses were to be redrawn and every départment was to have a bishop
    • What was the result of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?
      • effectively made the Church subservient to the state
      • Louis reluctantly accepts it December 1790
    • Why was the Oath to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy introduced 27th November 1790?
      Doubts about the Church's support
    • How many swore the Oath to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?
      7 bishops and only 55% of the parish clergy - later many retracted their oaths after the Pope denounced the constitution
    • What was the significance of the Oath of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?
      • Pope suspended those who took the oath
      • Assembly responded by annexing Avignon to France
      • Assembly declared refractory priests as 'counter-revolutionaries' - income to be stopped
      • Large numbers of clergy fled abroad
      • Many feared (wrongly) that the Assembly was trying to change their faith
    • Political reforms - what form should the constitution take?
      • An elected governing body acted as the legislative
      • The king and royal ministers made up the executive
      • The judiciary was made independent
    • Political reforms - should the King be able to veto laws?
      • Louis was given a suspensory veto
      • After 4 years, any measure vetoed would automatically become law
    • Political reforms - what title should the King hold?

      He was to be called 'King of the French' not King of France
    • Political reforms - who should have the right to vote?
      • Active citizens (could vote) - males over 25, lived in one place for a year, spoke French and paid direct taxes equal to 3 days labour
      • Passive citizens - received civil rights, not a vote
    • When did Louis XVI accept the constitution?

      September 1791
    • What was the key focus of administrative reforms?

      Decentralisation, achieved through the abolishment of the old provinces in Nov 1789
    • Départements -> Districts -> Communes = Decentralisation
    • Administrative reforms - councils
      • Made responsible for law and order in their localities
      • Had a range of duties - from the collection of taxes to construction of roads
    • Why did the government fall into the hands of the bourgeoisie?
      the income qualifications for voting
    • Judicial Reforms - courts system
      • A single central high court of appeal
      • Each department was to have a court in its capital for criminal cases
      • District courts - deal with more serious cases
      • JPs were to hear minor civil cases in each group of communes
    • Legal reforms - legal rights
      • Every accused person was brought before a judge within 24 hours of arrest
      • Accusations, proceedings and judgments were to be open to the public
      • The accused were to be assisted by a lawyer
      • Torture, branding and hanging were abolished
      • 1792 - introduction of guillotine
      • Sentences were to be fair and equal for all
    • Impact of legal and judicial reforms

      The judicial system established by the revolutionaries of 1790 was one of the most enlightened systems in Europe
    • What were assignats?
      • Introduced Dec 1789
      • government bonds which allowed for the purchase of Church lands
    • Fiscal reform - what would replace direct and indirect taxes?
      • A land tax
      • A poll or property tax
      • A limited tax on commercial activity
    • What was the impact of the fiscal reform?

      a fairer system of taxation and provided a basis for further reform
    • Economic reform - trade and industry
      • Internal tariffs disappeared
      • All corporate bodies were abolished in 1791 - minipolies and guilds
      • Emergence of a new land-owning bourgeoisie
    • Why were economic policies not particularly significant?
      • Large producers benefitted from high prices but poor peasants and townsfolk lost out
      • There was no drop in the price of food
      • New class of 'capitalists' - perpetuated past divisions
    • Societal reform - class
      • loss of noble 'trappings' did not mean loss of wealth/influence
      • Individual rights and liberties were more protected in law
      • State charities provided for the poor
      • The removal of barriers barring the way to high office offered new opportunities for social mobility
    • Societal reforms - general
      • Divisions of gender, wealth and office rapidly replayed those based on birth
      • Men had more rights than women
      • Employers had more rights than employees
      • Active citizens had more rights than passive citizens
    • Who were the social 'winners' of the revolutionary changes?
      The bourgeoisie