AS History Matters AS History Matters S T A R T E R (a)What can we learn from this contemporary cartoon?

AS History Matters AS History Matters Tuesday, 31 May 2016 What were the long term causes? Taxation & Fiscal policy KI1: Causes of the French Revolution.

AS History Matters AS History Matters Tuesday, 31 May 2016 Session Aims Causes of the French revolution. Explain the problems with taxes in France Define and explain fiscal and taxation policies Judge taxation as a cause of the French Rev.

The First Estate 1% of the Population (Clergy) The Second Estate 1.5% - 2% of the Population (Titled Nobility) The Third Estate % of the Population (Bourgeoisie & Working Lower Class)

AS History Matters AS History Matters

AS History Matters AS History Matters TASK Create a table of the taxes paid – p3 Fig. 1.1 – p6 Tithes to the Church – p10 feudal (seigneurial) dues or taxes – Colour code these as Royal Taxes, Church taxes or local taxes. Rees p10: ‘peasants bore the burden of taxation’ – explain in detail the effects of this burden.

AS History Matters AS History Matters The French Urban Poor

AS History Matters AS History Matters aUrban Commoner’s Budget: –Food 80% –Rent 25% –Tithe 10% –Taxes 35% –Clothing 20% –TOTAL 170% aKing’s Budget: –Interest 50% –Army 25% –Versailles 25% –Coronation 10% –Loans 25% –Admin. 25% –TOTAL 160% Financial Problems in France

AS History Matters AS History Matters : Maupeou- abolishes parlement tries to increase taxes, parlement restored by Louis XIV 1781: Necker –first term a mixed bag- things aren’t so bad but the rich are leeching off the State the rich are leeching off the State 1786: Calonne ousted after trying to tax the nobles based on land holding 1787: Assembly of Notables objects to taxes; wants a greater say in govt.; wants Estates General to meet govt.; wants Estates General to meet Brienne… Things are really bad…proposes a land tax Brienne… Things are really bad…proposes a land tax Provincial parlements demand more rights Provincial parlements demand more rights 1788: Necker returns 1789: French Estates General reconvenes…1 st time since 1614

AS History Matters AS History Matters How Bad was the Problem? Expenses > Revenue by at least 20% Expenditures –50%- interest on pre-existing debt!!! (in comparison, the service on the US Debt-which totals over $8 TRILLION, is approx. 10% of Govt. expenses) –25% War, Navy and Diplomacy –19% Other Govt. administrative expenses –6% Versailles

AS History Matters AS History Matters Versailles Court

AS History Matters AS History Matters Versailles Chapel

AS History Matters AS History Matters “A perfect storm” economically speaking? War debt Bad Harvest and a lousy winter – Rising Bread prices Demands by urban poor - Bread riots! Common in the 18 th C A few peasants made money off the increased price but most didn’t have enough land to take advantage of the price of grain. Enlightenment ideals- challenging new ideas A spoiled Aristocracy?- – barred from trades or professions- relied almost exclusively on income from their estates- expenses were also rising! - late 18 th C expenses forced them to try to revive obsolete old rights

AS History Matters AS History Matters Explain why the French Monarchy was unable to raise enough Tax revenue in the period (12 marks) Taxation system – who paid Method of collecting tax – ‘farming’ Other factors: Louis XVI Failed reforms Other taxes

AS History Matters AS History Matters Generic Mark Scheme 12 Marks L1: Answers will contain either some descriptive material which is only loosely linked to the focus of the question or some explicit comment with little, if any, appropriate support. Answers are likely to be generalised and assertive. The response will be limited in development and skills of written communication will be weak. 0-2 L2: Answers will demonstrate some knowledge and understanding of the demands of the question. They will either be almost entirely descriptive with few explicit links to the question or they will provide some explanations backed by evidence that is limited in range and/or depth. Answers will be coherent but weakly expressed and/or poorly structured. 3-6 L3: Answers will demonstrate good understanding of the demands of the question providing relevant explanations backed by appropriately selected information, although this may not be full or comprehensive. Answers will, for the most part, be clearly expressed and show some organisation in the presentation of material. 7-9 L4: Answers will be well-focused, identifying a range of specific explanations, backed by precise evidence and demonstrating good understanding of the connections and links between events/issues. Answers will, for the most part, be well-written and organised