Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Attempts to create a constitution, 1789–91: the Great Fear and the…
Full specification wording
Revolution and the failure of constitutional monarchy, 1789–93: Attempts to create a constitution, 1789–91: the Great Fear and the abolition of feudalism; the Declaration of the Rights of Man; the October Days and the impact of the march on Versailles; the reforms of the National Assembly.
Between 1789 and 1791, the National Assembly dismantled the ancien régime and drafted a constitutional monarchy.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Between 1789 and 1791, the National Assembly dismantled the ancien régime and drafted a constitutional monarchy. Rural panic in the Great Fear (1789) drove deputies to abolish feudal privileges on 4 August. While personal servitude ended, many seigneurial dues were made redeemable and were not fully abolished without indemnity until 1793. The Declaration of the Rights of Man asserted liberty, equality and popular sovereignty. The October Days saw Parisian women march to Versailles, forcing Louis XVI to Paris and weakening royal independence. The Assembly then reorganised France: administrative units (départements), judicial reform, the Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1790) and the Constitution of 1791. These measures created a new political order but also divisions over the king's role and the Church.
What earns the marks
- Explains how the Great Fear (July–August 1789) triggered the abolition of feudalism on 4 August 1789, noting that while personal servitude ended, many seigneurial dues remained redeemable until 1793.
- Analyses the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (26 August 1789) as a statement of universal rights, equality before the law and popular sovereignty.
- Assesses the October Days (5–6 October 1789) and the impact of the march on Versailles, including the relocation of the king and Assembly to Paris.
- Evaluates the reforms of the National Assembly, such as the creation of départements, judicial reorganisation, the Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1790) and the Constitution of 1791.
- Connects these events to the broader attempt to create a constitutional monarchy and the tensions that later undermined it.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the abolition of feudalism as a single complete act.
Put it right: Recognise it ended personal servitude but many dues remained redeemable and were not fully abolished without compensation until 1793.
Confusing the Declaration of the Rights of Man with the American Declaration of Independence.
Put it right: The French Declaration was a distinct 1789 text asserting universal rights for French citizens.
Assuming the October Days were solely a food riot.
Put it right: They were also a political intervention that relocated the king and Assembly to Paris, altering power dynamics.
Exam tips
- Use precise dates and terms (e.g., 4 August 1789, 26 August 1789, 5–6 October 1789) to anchor arguments.
- Link each event to the central aim of creating a constitution and the challenges of constitutional monarchy.
Try the lesson
The start of the Revolution and the failure of constitutional monarchy, 1789–93: Attempts to create a constitution, 1789–91: the Great Fear and the abolition of feudalism; the Declaration of the Rights of Man; the October Days and the impact of the march on Versailles; the reforms of the National Assembly. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which document, adopted by the National Assembly in August 1789, set out principles such as liberty, equality before the law and popular sovereignty?
Listen
Between 1789 and 1791, the National Assembly dismantled the ancien régime and drafted a constitutional monarchy. Rural panic in the Great Fear (1789) drove deputies to abolish feudal privileges on 4 August. While personal servitude ended, many seigneurial dues were made redeemable and were not fully abolished without indemnity until 1793. The Declaration of the Rights of Man asserted liberty, equality and popular sovereignty. The October Days saw Parisian women march to Versailles, forcing Louis XVI to Paris and weakening royal independence. The Assembly then reorganised France: administrative units (départements), judicial reform, the Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1790) and the Constitution of 1791. These measures created a new political order but also divisions over the king's role and the Church. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains how the Great Fear (July–August 1789) triggered the abolition of feudalism on 4 August 1789, noting that while personal servitude ended, many seigneurial dues remained redeemable until 1793. Analyses the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (26 August 1789) as a statement of universal rights, equality before the law and popular sovereignty. Assesses the October Days (5–6 October 1789) and the impact of the march on Versailles, including the relocation of the king and Assembly to Paris. Evaluates the reforms of the National Assembly, such as the creation of départements, judicial reorganisation, the Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1790) and the Constitution of 1791. A common slip: Treating the abolition of feudalism as a single complete act. Instead, recognise it ended personal servitude but many dues remained redeemable and were not fully abolished without compensation until 1793. Exam tip: Use precise dates and terms (e.g., 4 August 1789, 26 August 1789, 5–6 October 1789) to anchor arguments.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Great Fear
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Declaration of the Rights of Man
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
October Days
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Civil Constitution of the Clergy
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Great Fear
- Rural panic in 1789 that drove deputies to abolish feudal privileges on 4 August.
- Declaration of the Rights of Man
- Statement of universal rights, equality before the law and popular sovereignty, issued 26 August 1789.
- October Days
- Parisian women marched to Versailles, forcing Louis XVI to Paris and weakening royal independence.
- Civil Constitution of the Clergy
- Reform of the National Assembly in 1790 that helped create a new political order but also divisions over the Church.
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Revolution and the failure of constitutional monarchy, 1789–93: Attempts to create a constitution, 1789–91: the Great Fear and the abolition of feudalism; the Declaration of the Rights of Man; the October Days and the impact of the march on Versailles; the reforms of the National Assembly.
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge