The Reconstruction of France

The beginning of the revolution was conservative in nature. The nobles, clergy and bourgeoisie in the NCA wanted to protect property and legal equality. They were wary of social equality and too much democracy.

Political Changes The Constitution of 1791 created a constitutional monarchy and unicameral Legislative Assembly Only 50,000 (all male) out of 26 million were allowed to vote. The French provinces were replaced with 83 departments. Courts were standardized and reformed.

Economic Changes The NCA suppressed guilds and the Chapelier Law forbid worker’s associations deregulated the grain trade Established the metric system Peasants had to compensate landlords for feudal dues

Religious Reforms The debt was paid down by confiscating and selling church lands. They used these sales to guarantee assignats, bonds that were used as money. Their value soon fell and caused inflation. Freedom of religion was given to Christians and Jews

Civil Constitution of the Clergy Made the Catholic Church a branch of the state Reduced bishoprics and organized dioceses around departments. Priests and bishops now had to be elected

Civil Constitution of the Clergy pt. 2 Clergy were made to take and oath to support the constitution. Only ½ did and the other half was labeled refractory. The pope condemned the CCC and the Declaration of the Rights of Man Louis XVI also supported the refractory clergy

Counterrevolutionary Activity In the summer of 1791 Louis XVI tried to flee and was caught. Leopold II of Austria issued the Declaration of Pillnitz