10 markers

1. Which of the following contributed more to the problems of the monarchy between
1774 and 1789? Explain your answer with reference to both (i) and (ii).
(i) The financial crisis.
(ii) The social structure of the Ancien Regime. [10 marks]

The financial crisis played a major part in contributing to the problems of the monarchy.
Versailles was running out of money and was nearing on bankruptcy. War had damaged the French
finances, especially the American Civil War in which France had expected to get more out of it than
they did. This meant that the French had to borrow money. This built up huge amounts of debt for
the French Government which lead to bankruptcy. Banks loaning money to France would put high
interest rates on the loan to cover if the French couldn’t pay it back. This made it harder for the
government to pay back the loans.

The social structure of the Ancien Regime played its part in the problems faced by the
monarchy. The First Estate were exempt from all direct tax. Its income from property was huge and
this caused anger in the Third Estate as they were left to wonder why the First Estate couldn’t pay
taxes. The Second Estate were also exempt from all direct tax. Again, the Third Estate were angry
that the Second Estate couldn’t share the burden of tax placed on them. The Third Estate were the
poorest and the most heavily taxed part of society. The bourgeoisie were the rich end of the Third
Estate and they felt their wealth should be showed in some way, similar to the First and Second
Estate. The peasantry were the poorest of them all and bore a huge burden of taxes. In the Third
Estate there was growing resentment of the feudal system.

In conclusion, the financial crisis was more important in the short term because of the
government reaching bankruptcy. This was the tipping point of the resentment from the Third
Estate. Therefore, the social structure of the Ancien Regime is a more long-term problem because of
the simmering resentment from the Third Estate especially.

2. Which of the following was more responsible for the outbreak of revolution in 1789?
Explain your answer with reference to both (i) and (ii).
(i) The Enlightenment.
(ii) The economic crisis. [10 marks]

The Enlightenment was a movement that emerged in the 18th century. These intellectuals
wrote on the problems of the day and attacked the prejudice and superstition they saw around
them. Their aim was to apply rational analysis to all activities. Their ideas attacked all the
assumptions on which the Ancien Regime was based. They challenged and helped to undermine one
of the key pillars of the old order, the position of the Church and the role of the King. Their ideas and
approaches did influence many who would become revolutionaries.

The economic crisis was a big cause of the outbreak of revolution. There were a series of bad
harvests in 1778-9, 1781-2, 1785-6 and 1787. In 1788, there was a major disaster. A very wet spring
and freak hailstones in July resulted in a very poor harvest. This led to a rise in food prices which led
to a lower demand for manufactured goods and a significant increase in the price of bread. During
1726-1789 prices increased by about 60%. Production and employment in the textile industries fell
by 50% in 1789. The Eden Treaty of 1786 had hit the industry badly. It allowed import of British
goods at reduced rates of import duties. Unemployment was rising at the same time as the cost of
living. All these problems were the economic crisis.

In conclusion, the economic crisis was more responsible for the outbreak of revolution in
1789. It had further harshened the anger in the Third Estate and created more tensions between the
people and the King and Versailles. The Enlightenment was more important later on in the
revolution but not in the beginning of the revolution in 1789.

4. Which of the following had the greater impact on the coming of revolution? Explain
your answer with reference to both (i) and (ii).
(i) The summoning of the Estates General.
(ii) The Day of Tiles. [10 marks]

The summoning of the Estates-General was important in the coming of revolution. It further
angered the Third Estate who had asked for voting by head instead of voting by order which is what
the First and Second Estate wanted. The Estates-General bought 1,153 deputies from all three
estates together for the first time. Voting by head never happened and voting was done by order.
This made the Third Estate angrier. When the Third Estate proposed reforms to the tax system, it
was repelled by the First and Second Estates. This increased the anger in the Third Estate.

The Day of Tiles was the 7th June 1788. This was when people protested in Grenoble. There
were riots in support of parlement. Soldiers were sent out to put down the revolt. Protestors were
shot dead (4 dead, 40 wounded). Now people view this as the pre-revolution. It finally showed the
King the anger and resentment in the Third Estate. It also inspired more of the French people all
across the country to believe they could make reforms happen.

In conclusion, The Day of Tiles was had the greater impact on the coming of revolution
because without this day, the Estates-General may never have been called when it was and
therefore there would have been no Tennis Court Oath and split between the estates.