European option: Modern Europe, 1750–1921: France (9489)
Other
Revision Notes
32 views 0 purchase
Course
European option: Modern Europe, 1750–1921: France (9489)
Institution
CIE
Book
Cambridge International AS Level History Modern Europe, 1750-1921 Coursebook
These revision notes follow the updated CAIE A-level History 9489 syllabus and scheme of work for for Paper 1/2: EUROPEAN HISTORY, France, 1774–1814. Easy to follow, clear and very detailed notes that cover all the core content topics, with exam guidance, structure, sample answers, summative and...
Learning Outcome 3 - Unification of Germany Cambridge International AS and A level history notes
CIE A Level French Revolution
CAMBRIDGE A-LEVELS HISTORY_ PAPER 4_REVISION NOTES_Stalin’s Russia, 1924-41
All for this textbook (5)
Written for
A/AS Level
CIE
History
European option: Modern Europe, 1750–1921: France (9489)
All documents for this subject (1)
Seller
Follow
annjstevenson78
Reviews received
Content preview
Chapter 1: France, 1774–1814
1.1 What were the causes and immediate outcomes of the 1789 revolution?
a The Ancien Regime and the policies of Louis XVI = ruled by an absolute monarch; 27 million
people
1 Social divisions
a. peasants
i 80% population – taxed by government, landlords, Church - poor peasants had to
do repair roads, pay high prices to use wine presses and flour mills
ii bad harvests 1770–89 led to poverty, hunger, unemployment – many moved to
towns, poor and unskilled urban workers
iii bread prices rose, real wages fell – bread riots - urban unrest; police couldn’t
bring order
b. middle class
i well educated and wealthy - they owned 20% of land
ii involved in commerce, industry, professions - future revolutionary leaders
iii frustrated by lack of political power - not allowed to join top positions in the
government, military and judiciary
c. the Church
i controlled education and censored publications - to keep hold of its wealth and
benefits
ii senior posts confined to the aristocracy - no progress for the ordinary clergy from
the lower classes
iii division between rich and poor clergy - not united as an organisation against the
revolutionary forces
d. aristocracy
i small, elite, privileged group that paid no taxes - owned around 30% of land and
wealth, around 30,000 members, exempt from conscription and road works
ii dominated posts in government and in the Church - officers were noblemen and
promotion came through noble rank rather than through ability or experience
iii hostile to those involved in commerce and industry – did not want to associate
with the lower classes
iv divisions between higher and lower aristocracy - ‘poorer’ or ‘lower’ nobility, hated
the power and wealth of the ‘higher’ nobility
, 2 Louis XVI
a. absolute monarch – inherited the position and wanted to increase his power
b. young and inexperienced, weak and indecisive - had a great sense of duty and many
good intentions of ruling well
c. divisions within parlements - divisions at court and within the aristocracy and clergy =
made France a very hard country to rule
b Pressures for change
1 The Enlightenment
a. intellectual and philosophical movement - a major influence on the whole revolutionary
process in France
b. the writers challenged established ideas, institutions and social structures
2 Examples
a. Voltaire – critical of Church influence, unfair legal and judicial system
b. Montesquieu – critical of despotism and autocratic power; argued for an elected
parliament with system of checks and balances
c. Diderot – critical and questioning attitude to everything; argued for independent thinking
d. Rousseau – argued for more education and greater liberty; argued for authority and
freedom for men in the society
e. Quesnay – argued for greater freedom of trade and free production
c Reaction of Louis XVI to attempts at reform
1 Political and economic factors
a. 1777, Turgot replaced as finance minister by Necker – argued that more wars will make
France bankrupt but he was ignored
b. declaration of war against Britain 1778 – led to borrowing at high interest rates
c. Necker’s 1781 report hid France’s financial problems – also hid the huge cost of the war
with Britain
d. 1783 – war with Britain ended – France gained nothing = deeper national debt
e. Charles de Calonne appointed finance minister 1783 – proposed changes, such as
taxing the wealthy, in 1786; encouraging commerce and industry; creating confidence in
France so it can borrow more money
f. Assembly of Notables - summoned to gain support for the proposals; dismissed by the
King = the start of the financial and political crisis = led to revolution
2 Beginnings of widespread revolt
a. Parlement of Paris refused to support tax increases – as the royal accounts were not
accurate
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller annjstevenson78. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $16.93. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
