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The experiment in constitutional monarchy, 1789–1792

the end of Absolutism and the French Revolution, 1774–: The experiment in constitutional monarchy, 1789–1792

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AqaA LevelHistory2H France in Revolution, 1774–1815 (A-level only)

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The experiment in constitutional monarchy, 1789–17924 objectives

The revolution May-October 1789: developments in Versailles and Paris; developments in the country, including the Great Fear; the October Days.
The attempts to establish a constitutional monarchy: church reforms; political, judicial and administrative reforms; economic and social change.
Reaction to change internally and externally: the political clubs; the King and the flight to Varennes; the demonstration at the Champs de Mars; the origins and impact of war.
Sans-culottes and the collapse of the constitutional experiment; the September massacres and elections to the national Convention.

Constitutional MonarchyPopular SovereigntyRevolutionary ReformsNational AssemblyJacobins

Use Primary Sources: In your answers, refer to primary sources from the period to support your arguments.
Use specific examples in your answers: When discussing reforms, always include specific examples such as the Civil Constitution of the Clergy or the Assignat.

Confusing Events: Remember that the Bastille was stormed on July 14, 1789, as a symbol of tyranny, while the Women's March occurred in October 1789, driven by food shortages.
Confusing the roles of the monarchy and the church: Clarify that the constitutional monarchy aimed to limit the power of both the monarchy and the church, establishing a separation of powers.

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