Across
- 3. A conflict beginning in 1775 between Britain and the American colonies in which France was involved, spending 1200 million livres in support of the Americans.
- 6. A compulsory contribution to the church, usually levied at one tenth of a person's income or production.
- 10. The highest courts of the Ancien Régime. They acted as courts of appeal and registered royal decrees, thus passing them into law.
- 14. A violent incident which occurred on 7 June 1788 when the people of Grenoble defended the actions of the parlement by throwing roof tiles at soldiers ordered to quell the disturbance. Seen by some as the first significant violent act of the revolution.
- 15. A levy of one-twentieth of a person's income (5%) which was created to pay for war costs and to reduce the national debt.
- 19. A series of decrees issued by the National Assembly in August 1789 that successfully suppressed the Great Fear by abolishing feudalism and ending all tax exemptions.
- 20. Initially referring to poorer working-class people who lived in towns and cities, from 1792 this term came to be identified with the radical Parisian mob which often engaged in violent atrocities.
- 21. A revolutionary body comprised mainly of representatives of the Third Estate. It was formed at Versailles on June 13th during the Estates-General and was responsible for the Tennis Court Oath and forcing the king to accept political reform.
- 23. A middle class made up of lawyers, industrialists, bankers, merchants and other wealthy and educated members of the Third Estate.
- 24. The result of a series of natural disasters which devastated the grain crop in rural France during the 1780s. These were particularly acute in Paris where prices increased from eight sous to 14.5 sous per loaf, or at least half the daily wage of an unskilled worker.
- 27. A significant outbreak of violence in late April 1789 in which thousands of rioters destroyed property in Paris, resulting in at least 25 deaths.
- 29. An event which occurred on 4th August 1789
- 30. A period of scientific, intellectual and philosophical curiosity during the 1700s that contributed to new thinking and revolutionary ideas, particularly the development of liberal, democratic and republican political theories.
- 31. A brutal attack on a medieval fortress and prison in Paris on 14 July 1789 by thousands of Parisian workers. Often seen as the beginning of the popular revolution, violence began to spread throughout the French countryside as a result.
Down
- 1. A privileged social class in pre-revolutionary France made up of members of the Catholic clergy.
- 2. Also called the Rural Revolt, this was an outbreak of violence throughout the French countryside
- 4. A pamphlet written Sieyes in 1789 in which he defines the Third Estate as the nation and outlines recommended reforms to the French political system. It is seen as influential in helping the Third Estate develop its consciousness as the nation.
- 5. Caused by a combination of heavy rains, severe droughts, a volcanic eruption in 1783
- 7. A writer or intellectual in pre-revolutionary France, particularly one who advocated Enlightenment ideas. Examples include Rousseau and Diderot.
- 8. The practice of selling titles or offices, specifically the sale of noble titles by the crown in order to generate revenue for the state. Venal sales allowed wealthy members of the bourgeoisie to enter the Second Estate.
- 9. A privileged social class in pre-revolutionary France made up of members of the aristocracy/nobility.
- 11. A palace located 12 miles from Paris which was the residence of the royal family, many court nobles and also the seat of government.
- 12. A group of 144 'notables' comprised mainly of members of the First and Second Estates called on by Calonne in 1787 to approve his proposed tax reforms. Members included Lafayette and Brienne.
- 13. The first public account of the financial situation of the French state, prepared by Jacques Necker,
- 16. A pledge made by the members of France's National Assembly on 20 June 1789, in which they vowed to continue meeting until they had drawn up a new constitution..
- 17. A gathering of delegates from the Three Estates, summoned by the king.
- 18. A revolutionary militia, formed in Paris and other French cities in July 1789. Its main function was to keep order, prevent looting and property damage and protect the gains of the revolution. It was commanded by Lafayette.
- 22. This included any act of resistance by the First and Second Estates to give up their privileges and embrace tax reform.
- 25. Also known as grievances, these were documents drafted in the lead up to the Estates-General in 1789. They contained summaries of public opinion, dissatisfaction and complaint, as well as recommendations to the king.
- 26. Also known as 'the Commons', this social class included the bourgeoisie, peasants and urban workers. It included about 97% of the population.
- 28. A feudal obligation that required commoners to perform an amount of unpaid labour. This work was often performed on public facilities, such as roads or bridges, or on the private buildings of seigneurial lords.