CAUSES
Table of Contents
Great Fear vs Popular protest [10] plan.............................................................................................2
04.02.2023....................................................................................................................................................2
Enlightenment vs US War of Independence [10] plan........................................................................2
15.02.2023....................................................................................................................................................2
Bastille vs october Days [10] plan......................................................................................................4
22.02.2023....................................................................................................................................................4
Assembly of Notables vs Estates General..........................................................................................4
24.02.2023....................................................................................................................................................4
Financial crisis vs France’s economy..................................................................................................5
02.04.2023....................................................................................................................................................5
1
, CAUSES
GREAT FEAR VS POPULAR PROTEST [10] PLAN
04.02.2023
Question Which of the following posed the greatest role in the development of the
Revolution in 1789?
i. The 'Great Fear' in the countryside
ii. Popular protest in Paris
Explain your answer with reference to both (i) and (ii) [10]
Key = significant
= not significant
Significance of the Jul-Aug 89
Great Fear Caused by rumours that aristocrats were paying brigands to destroy the
harvest & starve peasants into submission.
Grain convoys attacked, chateaux burned, feudal docs (terriers) destroyed.
Undermined traditional authority & feudalism.
Made it seem as if law & order had collapsed – showed that Louis XVI & the
NCA weren’t in control, which has potential to weaken ppl’s faith in them.
V little bloodshed b/c ppl were only killed if they resisted.
Some areas such as Brittany & Alsace (generally those furthest away from
Paris) weren’t affected.
Led to the Aug Decrees b/c the NCA didn’t want to use royal troops in case
the ppl turned against them. This signified the end of the Ancien Régime of
feudalism – a significant change.
Significance of popular Apr 89 – Réveillon Riots – Réveillon’s factory was set on fire b/c of rumours
protest in Paris that he was going to reduce wages. 50 rioters were killed/wounded by troops.
Jul 89 – news of Louis XVI’s dismissal of Necker led to uproar & large-scale
popular demonstrations in Paris. Parisians were called to take arms, meaning
they needed weapons. This led to the storming of Bastille (14 Jul 89).
Riots showed the extent of discontent & the lack of faith in the gov –
undermined the authority of the gov.
Set a precedence for using violence – Commander de Launay was
decapitated & 98 partisans killed.
Showed the weakness of the crown – Bastille had symbolised the power of
the Ancien Regime.
Inspired other regions to revolt.
Popular protests were almost never a direct attack on the King – a
monarchy was still wanted. There were not yet any inclinations for a republic.
Overall Significance of diff events of protest were mixed – Bastille was by far more
significant than Réveillon Riots.
Overall, popular protest was quite significant as it set many precedents –
showed the efficacy of violent protest, showed that the time of the Ancien
Régime was coming to an end, etc.
Popular protest also had a higher human cost overall than the Great Fear.
However it is the Great Fear that actually catalysed the end of the Ancien
Régime by incentivising the NCA to make the Aug Decrees.
So in terms of tangible developments in the Revolution in 1789, the Great
Fear was more significant, but the popular protests in Paris were more
significant for setting the scene.
ENLIGHTENMENT VS US WAR OF INDEPENDENCE [10] PLAN
15.02.2023
QUESTION Which of the following had the greater impact on the credibility of the ancien
régime?
(i) The Enlightenment
(ii) The American War of Independence
Explain your answer with reference to both (i) and (ii).
2
Table of Contents
Great Fear vs Popular protest [10] plan.............................................................................................2
04.02.2023....................................................................................................................................................2
Enlightenment vs US War of Independence [10] plan........................................................................2
15.02.2023....................................................................................................................................................2
Bastille vs october Days [10] plan......................................................................................................4
22.02.2023....................................................................................................................................................4
Assembly of Notables vs Estates General..........................................................................................4
24.02.2023....................................................................................................................................................4
Financial crisis vs France’s economy..................................................................................................5
02.04.2023....................................................................................................................................................5
1
, CAUSES
GREAT FEAR VS POPULAR PROTEST [10] PLAN
04.02.2023
Question Which of the following posed the greatest role in the development of the
Revolution in 1789?
i. The 'Great Fear' in the countryside
ii. Popular protest in Paris
Explain your answer with reference to both (i) and (ii) [10]
Key = significant
= not significant
Significance of the Jul-Aug 89
Great Fear Caused by rumours that aristocrats were paying brigands to destroy the
harvest & starve peasants into submission.
Grain convoys attacked, chateaux burned, feudal docs (terriers) destroyed.
Undermined traditional authority & feudalism.
Made it seem as if law & order had collapsed – showed that Louis XVI & the
NCA weren’t in control, which has potential to weaken ppl’s faith in them.
V little bloodshed b/c ppl were only killed if they resisted.
Some areas such as Brittany & Alsace (generally those furthest away from
Paris) weren’t affected.
Led to the Aug Decrees b/c the NCA didn’t want to use royal troops in case
the ppl turned against them. This signified the end of the Ancien Régime of
feudalism – a significant change.
Significance of popular Apr 89 – Réveillon Riots – Réveillon’s factory was set on fire b/c of rumours
protest in Paris that he was going to reduce wages. 50 rioters were killed/wounded by troops.
Jul 89 – news of Louis XVI’s dismissal of Necker led to uproar & large-scale
popular demonstrations in Paris. Parisians were called to take arms, meaning
they needed weapons. This led to the storming of Bastille (14 Jul 89).
Riots showed the extent of discontent & the lack of faith in the gov –
undermined the authority of the gov.
Set a precedence for using violence – Commander de Launay was
decapitated & 98 partisans killed.
Showed the weakness of the crown – Bastille had symbolised the power of
the Ancien Regime.
Inspired other regions to revolt.
Popular protests were almost never a direct attack on the King – a
monarchy was still wanted. There were not yet any inclinations for a republic.
Overall Significance of diff events of protest were mixed – Bastille was by far more
significant than Réveillon Riots.
Overall, popular protest was quite significant as it set many precedents –
showed the efficacy of violent protest, showed that the time of the Ancien
Régime was coming to an end, etc.
Popular protest also had a higher human cost overall than the Great Fear.
However it is the Great Fear that actually catalysed the end of the Ancien
Régime by incentivising the NCA to make the Aug Decrees.
So in terms of tangible developments in the Revolution in 1789, the Great
Fear was more significant, but the popular protests in Paris were more
significant for setting the scene.
ENLIGHTENMENT VS US WAR OF INDEPENDENCE [10] PLAN
15.02.2023
QUESTION Which of the following had the greater impact on the credibility of the ancien
régime?
(i) The Enlightenment
(ii) The American War of Independence
Explain your answer with reference to both (i) and (ii).
2
