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AP EURO Unit #3 – Scientific Revolution and the Era of the Enlightenment Lessons #308 Crisis in Political Legitimacy
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Louis XV r.1715-1774 Succeeded his great-grandfather (he was 5)
Most scholars believe Louis XV's decisions damaged the France weakened the treasury discredited the absolute monarchy Scandals and immorality Cared more for parties than governing made monarchy more vulnerable to distrust and destruction Example: he’d reinstated the Parlements to please his Versailles buddies – gave them a say in government
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Assessment of Louis XV A Divine Right absolutist
Totally unlike Louis XIV Absence of political leadership Lacked energy & desire to rule Not a “bad” man… …just not the least bit effective A Playboy and big spender What did Louis XIV do to the power of the Nobles, who had ruled most of France? Why will this now matter? If Louis XV was more like his great grandfather, could he prevented the French Revolution?
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Example of government mismanagement: The Mississippi Bubble
Financial debacle John Law (Scottish $$ minister) Created Bank of Paris – to print $$ for Mississippi Company Mississippi Company was to have monopoly of trade with Louisiana Law encouraged investment in Mississippi Co. Stock rose faster than expected Speculators invested, then sold stock for gold from Bank of Paris Ran out of gold – stock plummeted French crown lost a fortune
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Louis XV British historian Norman Davies:
Louis XV's reign was "one of debilitating stagnation," characterized by lost wars, endless clashes between the Court and Parliament, and religious feuds Princeton historian Jerome Blum: described him as "a perpetual adolescent called to do a man's job." Describe Louis XV and compare him to anyone else in history or today. Give evidence.
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Louis XV Financial crisis after… War of Aust. Succession
Seven Years War After both, he attempted to increase taxes by 5%. After both, Paris Parlement refused to agree… What was the source of their power? Tax reform needed Taxes were almost never collected from nobles Why not? Who, then, would be paying taxes? Hired Rene de Maupeou – to be a thug He successfully abolished parlements He then taxed the most privileged then… Louis XV died… and…
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But I don’t WANT to be king!
Louis XVI ascended to the throne But I don’t WANT to be king!
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Louis XVI Louis XVI would reinstate Parlements & fire Maupeou
Nobility came to pay almost no taxes by law Louis XVI was even weaker to the Nobles living in and around Versailles He’d look for ways to become more popular His most fervent goal: TO BE LOVED Why is this a lousy quality in a leader? He had a German wife everyone hated and no ability to control men around him
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Louis XVI – the king of the French Revolution
Hubba?
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In the mean time… And… (as my dad says) FOLLOW THE MONEY
The American and French Revolutions are largely a result of an application of the teachings of the Enlightenment and Locke. And… (as my dad says) FOLLOW THE MONEY Taxation was a HUGE cause in both, as was the inept leadership in France and the misconceptions of the leadership in Britain.
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Wroxton College – Home of Lord North
Prime Minister
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The English and the American Revolution
Seven Years War – Doubled British debt Suggestion that the colonies should be a revenue generator, not a drain, Parliament agreed The crown then required colonies to pay for their own defense from Indians, Spanish and French Taxed colonies in 1765 – Colonies rebelled Townshend Acts Tax on essentials, like paper, glass, and tea, and established a Board of Customs in Boston to more rigorously execute trade regulations (taxation without representation) – but… Parliament argued that all British were represented in Parliament Americans boycotted, and started forming mobs, political resistance groups, and discussed organizing as a single colonial unit Lord North appointed Prime Minister Repealed all taxes but tea Then lowered the tax to help the British East Indian Tea compete with smuggled tea prices in the colonies
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The English and the American Revolution
British government was clearly trying to undercut the colonial smugglers in support British East India Company (1773) – which had become a failing government joint-stock company. English Parliament decided to save that company This cut out American smugglers, like Alexander Hamilton (and independence) Led to Boston Tea Party (1773) British Reaction: Coercive Acts (close Boston harbor, restricted power of colonial legislature) First Continental Congress (1774) – compromise rejected by them and by Parliament
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Debate… You are in Parliament. Prepare an argument to find a middle road to avoid a war conflict with colonial brethren. Find evidence. Bring print outs. Prepare your argument. You are in Parliament. Prepare and argument to take a hard stance and defeat rebel colonists.
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The English and the American Revolution
Fighting broke out 1775 at Lexington and Concord According to mercantilism, what is purpose of colonies? According to mercantilism, what power do colonies and colonial leaders have to decide their own fate? British were shocked Americans had the audacity to quote John Locke and cite English Civil War. How did they do that?
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The English and the American Revolution
British preserved their armies, and would use German mercenaries, and would pay them upon winning with funds from the colonies Why would they think mercenaries were a good idea? What justification did Americans have to insist on liberty or separation from crown? What was Jefferson’s inspiration in writing the Declaration of Independence?
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So, what does this have to do with France?...
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The English and the American Revolution
France saw an opportunity to get revenge New young king Louis XVI Supplied guns and munitions to Amer. Sent French volunteers by 1777 Marquis de Lafayette (20 years old) Formal alliance by 1778 (Ben Franklin, ambassador)
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The English and the American Revolution
Spanish and Dutch also declared war (1779/1780) Even Catherine the Great pushed for full neutrality on high seas, which favored Americans British stretched too thin – fighting the Americans, French, Dutch and Spanish in a far off land UK Finally surrendered, but Americans cut out all allies TREATY OF PARIS (1783) How was America exceptional as a European power?
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Louis XVI had indebted France far beyond it’s ability to pay - Supporting Americans became an obsession
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The American Rev. impact in Europe
King George of England went insane Louis XVI had indebted France beyond it’s ability to pay Supporting Americans became an obsession Way too costly - bankrupted the French crown French crown now in debt 50% of tax $$ to pay interest on debt Another 25% to standing army, navy and Versailles Who was paying all their taxes? What will be the solution? Louis wouldn’t/couldn’t force the issue… what would you suggest he should do?
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Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
Ah, CRAP! LOUIS XVI MARIE ANTOINETTE
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Look at all the issues Louis XVI faced:
Massive debt Tax structure that eliminated payments from Nobles and Church (owned almost half the land in France, but payed almost no taxes) Inspiration of the Enlightenment Discontented soldiers who were now also inspired by the American cause they fought for… and wanted for themselves
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I don’t know what to doooo!
Louis XVI 5min.
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The Foundation of the French Rev.
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Contextualizing the crisis.
What impact will the Enlightenment have on the French Revolution? Intellectuals in France admired new American system they helped to create What impact will the American Revolution have on the young French officers inspired by liberties in America, then returning to France? French citizens who fought wanted some of that whole democracy thing… If you were Louis XVI, what would be your next move, to deal with the Social, political and economic crisis looming?
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