Change/Continuity

Question 1

Const. of 1791 (Political change/continuity)

Answer 1

• 14 Sept 1791
• A legal document that defined the authority, structure and powers of the new government
• A Constitutional Monarchy based on ideas from the Enlightenment
• Drafted by committee including Lafayette
• King given executive power to form a cabinet and appoint ministers, and given a suspensive veto (could deny laws for up to five years)
• NCA’s job now done (dissolves 30th Sept 1791)
• Flight to Varennes makes it unworkable and there are calls for a republic system
• “It must have seemed that the Revolution was drawing to an end” – Fenwick and Anderson

Question 2

Const. of 1793 (Political change/continuity)

Answer 2

• June 1793
• Universal (male) suffrage
• The people listed as the source of power and granted right to insurrection
• NC declares that until peace is achieved, the Const, is suspended
• Never formally introduce. More of a symbol
• “It marked the complete reversal of the principles of 1789” (Townson)

Question 3

Const. of 1795 (Political change/continuity)

Answer 3

• 22 Aug 1795
• Most conservative
• Restored active/passive citizenship
• Established The Directory to replace the NC

Question 4

Social change/continuity

Answer 4

• 19 June 1790: hereditary and noble titles abolished by the Assembly
• 1792: divorce laws were reformed (nearly 6,000 divorces in Paris in 1793-95)
• 70% of noble officers were commoners by 1793

Question 5

Economic change/continuity

Answer 5

• Taxation became universal and proportional after 1789
• Sept 1793: General Maximum
• 5 July 1794: wage controls in Paris
• Church difficulty looking after poor (loss of tithe)