DESIGNED FOR CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS LEVEL HISTORY
What caused the 1789 Revolution?
The Ancien Régime Financial breakdown Political crisis Popular revolution
Immediate consequences
France, 1774–1814 • Unit 1.1
,1.1
Enquiry focus and learning outcomes
Knowledge Analysis Evidence Judgement
Explain the Ancien Régime,
Distinguish structural, Assess why crisis became
financial reform, the crisis Use precise dates,
intellectual, economic, revolution and identify the
of 1787–89 and the institutions, social groups
political and immediate most important immediate
revolutionary events of and contemporary sources.
causes. consequences.
1789.
02
,1.1
The central argument
Long-term weakness Short-term breakdown
Privilege, fragmented government and an War debt, failed reform, bad harvests and political
unequal tax system made reform difficult. deadlock mobilised representatives and crowds.
Enlightenment criticism and social change Louis XVI repeatedly converted manageable
weakened respect for inherited authority. crises into a collapse of royal authority.
03
, 1.1
Five interacting causes
State Society Ideas Economy Agency
Absolute monarchy
Natural rights, Debt, regressive The king, ministers,
lacked Legal privilege
popular sovereignty taxation, harvest parlements,
representative conflicted with
and constitutional failure, bread deputies and
consent yet could economic change
government inflation and crowds made
not impose reform and demands for
supplied a language unemployment choices that
on privileged merit and equality.
of opposition. deepened anger. escalated the crisis.
bodies.
04
What caused the 1789 Revolution?
The Ancien Régime Financial breakdown Political crisis Popular revolution
Immediate consequences
France, 1774–1814 • Unit 1.1
,1.1
Enquiry focus and learning outcomes
Knowledge Analysis Evidence Judgement
Explain the Ancien Régime,
Distinguish structural, Assess why crisis became
financial reform, the crisis Use precise dates,
intellectual, economic, revolution and identify the
of 1787–89 and the institutions, social groups
political and immediate most important immediate
revolutionary events of and contemporary sources.
causes. consequences.
1789.
02
,1.1
The central argument
Long-term weakness Short-term breakdown
Privilege, fragmented government and an War debt, failed reform, bad harvests and political
unequal tax system made reform difficult. deadlock mobilised representatives and crowds.
Enlightenment criticism and social change Louis XVI repeatedly converted manageable
weakened respect for inherited authority. crises into a collapse of royal authority.
03
, 1.1
Five interacting causes
State Society Ideas Economy Agency
Absolute monarchy
Natural rights, Debt, regressive The king, ministers,
lacked Legal privilege
popular sovereignty taxation, harvest parlements,
representative conflicted with
and constitutional failure, bread deputies and
consent yet could economic change
government inflation and crowds made
not impose reform and demands for
supplied a language unemployment choices that
on privileged merit and equality.
of opposition. deepened anger. escalated the crisis.
bodies.
04
