Download
1 / 28
290 likes | 339 Views
AP EURO Unit #3 – Scientific Revolution and the Era of the Enlightenment Lessons #308 Crisis in Political Legitimacy. 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
E N D
AP EUROUnit #3 – Scientific Revolution and the Era of the EnlightenmentLessons #308Crisis in Political Legitimacy
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
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?
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
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.
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…
Louis XVI ascended to the throne But I don’t WANT to be king!
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
In the mean time… 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. The American and French Revolutions are largely a result of an application of the teachings of the Enlightenment and Locke.
Wroxton College – Home of Lord North Lord North Prime Minister 1770-1782
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
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
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.
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?
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?
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)
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?
Louis XVI had indebted France far beyond it’s ability to pay - Supporting Americans became an obsession
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?
Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette Ah, CRAP! LOUIS XVI MARIE ANTOINETTE
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
I don’t know what to doooo! Louis XVI 5min.
The Foundation of the French Rev. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1_2NwmIobU
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?
