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POLITICAL CRISIS (CONT)

POLITICAL CRISIS (CONT). BRIENNE AND THE PARLEMENT. When was the Assembly of Notables dissolved? Why? Who took over as finance Minister? When? . BRIENNE’S ACTIONS. Proposed new reform: maintained Calonne’s land tax but modified other reforms

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POLITICAL CRISIS (CONT)

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  1. POLITICAL CRISIS (CONT)

  2. BRIENNE AND THE PARLEMENT • When was the Assembly of Notables dissolved? • Why? • Who took over as finance Minister? • When?

  3. BRIENNE’S ACTIONS • Proposed new reform: maintained Calonne’s land tax but modified other reforms • Brienne took the royal edict to the Parlement of Paris to make it law • What do you think happened? Why? BEFORE WE CONTINUE WITH THE STORY – WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF THE PARLEMENT OF PARIS

  4. ROLE OF THE PARLEMENT OF PARIS • Who do you think worked for the Parlement of Paris? (Think about the system of privilege…position acquired by birth or paid for office) • Sovereign Court of Appeal • Register royal edicts so they became law • Scrutinise royal edicts – ‘maintain the citizens in the enjoyment of rights which the laws assure them’ • Right to remonstrance! (point out any defects – rally public opposition) • They did not have the power to reject the King’s edicts

  5. PARLEMENT REJECTS TAXES • Rejection: 2 July 1787 • Only an Estates General had the right to determine need for tax reform (therefore those who must bear the taxes must approve) • 6 August 1787 – Louis XVI usesLit de Justice • Parlement declared Louis’ action invalid • 15 August 1787 – Louis exiled the Parlement to Troyes – popular uprisings followed • Mid September – compromise met: Brienne’s tax reform modified and Parlement passed it.

  6. The situation remained fragile. Co-operation between the Monarchy and the Parlement hinged on D_ _L_M_C_!! • France still had debts to pay and loans to take out – these needed to be approved by the Parlement • Louis XVI’s options: • Play ball (perhaps be submissive to get his way) • Play the Authoritarian card (reiterate his absolute authority and order the Parlementto do as asked)

  7. LOUIS v PARLEMENT • Brienne forced to make cutbacks • He needed to borrow 420 million livres (1788-1792) to pay off short-term debts • In return, Brienne agreed to calling of the Estates General by 1792 WAS THE PARLEMENT PUSHING LOUIS TOO FAR?

  8. ROYAL SESSION – 19 NOV 1787 • Reiteration of the King’s absolute authority: “Sovereign power in his kingdom belongs to the King alone…legislative power resides on the person of the sovereign” (Lamoignan – Minister for Justice) • Louis ordered loans to be immediately registered • Ducd’Orleans pronounced Louis’ action illegal • Louis replied: “That is of no importance to me…It is legal because I will it”

  9. BEGINNINGS OF REVOLUTION • Parlement refused to register loans • Lettres de Cachet for the DucD’Orleans • Find a quote on page 40 (HTAV) that demonstrates Louis’ sentiments • How did the magistrates respond? (page 40) • Magistrates arrested (11 hour stand-off) • 8 May 1788 – Lit de justice to replace Parlements with Plenary Court to register royal decrees • The Monarchy/Absolutism had won…for now

  10. POPULAR REVOLTS: THE DAY OF TILES • Popular call for Magistrates’ and Parlement’s return • Provincial Parlements and urban dwellers supported the Paris Parlement – demands for an Estates General • Provincial magistrates exiled – Lettres de Cachet • Grenoble 10 June 1788 – people stood on roofs and threw tiles on soldiers who came to arrest magistrates. 2 people killed THIS SIGNIFIED THE BREAKDOWN OF ROYAL AUTHORITY. INCENTIVE FOR FURTHER ACTION.

  11. RIOTS/PROTESTS CONTINUE • Riots in Paris, Rennes, Pau and Dijon – food crisis • More arrests – this time nobility who asked for royal minister to be condemned • Hostile pamphlets attacking Ministers (534 May-Sep) • Clergy – did not pay Don gratuit 5 JULY 1788 – BRIENNE ANNOUNCES THAT THE KING WOULD WELCOME SUBMISSIONS FOR THE COMPOSITION OF THE ESTATES-GENERAL

  12. BANKRUPTCY • 400 000 livres left in treasury (enough for “one afternoon” Schama) • 13 July 1788 – massive hail storm destroyed much of the grain harvest around Paris – therefore tax revenues to be lower in coming year 8 AUGUST 1788 – LOUIS XVI ANNOUNCES CALLING OF THE ESTATES GENERAL FOR 1 MAY 1789 • 16 August – suspension of all payments to bureaucracy, army and repayment of foreign debts • 24 August – Brienne resigns and Necker returns

  13. TO DO • Ensure your timeline is up to date with: • Events (Parlement of Paris, Royal Session, Day of Tiles, Bankruptcy) • Evidence (statistics, figures, quotes and facts)

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