AQA A-Level History 7042
1A The Age of the Crusades, c1071–1204
1B Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469–1598
1C The Tudors: England, 1485–1603
1D Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603–1702
1E Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682–1796
1F Industrialisation and the People: Britain, c1783–1885
1G Challenge and Transformation: Britain, c1851–1964
1H Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855–1964
1J The British Empire, c1857–1967
1K The Making of a Superpower: USA, 1865–1975
1L The Quest for Political Stability: Germany, 1871–1991
2A Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154–1216
2B The Wars of the Roses, 1450–1499
2C The Reformation in Europe, c1500–1564
2D Religious Conflict and the Church in England, c1529–c1570
2E The English Revolution, 1625–1660
2F The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643–1715
2G The Birth of the USA, 1760–1801
2H France in Revolution, 1774–1815
2J America: A Nation Divided, c1845–1877
2K International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890–1941
2L Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945
2M Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906–1957
2N Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia, 1917–1953
2O Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918–1945
2P The Transformation of China, 1936–1997
2Q The American Dream: Reality and Illusion, 1945–1980
2R The Cold War, c1945–1991
2S The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–2007
2T The Crisis of Communism: The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000
2H France in Revolution, 1774–1815
Taxation and the Weaknesses of the Ancien Regime
- 3 things to know
- Component 2
Overview
Recall questions on the vingtième, capitation and aides, the regressive taille and hated gabelle, venality of office, traditional loyalties, the lack of uniform laws and measures, and why taxation could not be reformed.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
What were the aides?
Why was the taille considered fundamentally regressive?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What was the vingtième?
Model answer
A tax of one twentieth (5 per cent) on income from land, property, commerce and office. It was meant to fall on all subjects regardless of rank, though nobles and officeholders often secured exemptions or negotiated reduced assessments.
- 2
What was the capitation?
Model answer
A poll tax levied on all ranks, including nobles and clergy, with subjects assessed by social category from prince down to labourer, though exemption could be bought.
- 3
What were the aides?
Model answer
The aides were indirect taxes on goods paid by peasants.
- 4
Besides royal taxes, what other payments did peasants owe?
Model answer
Peasants also paid the tithe to the Church and seigneurial dues to their lords.
- 5
Why was the taille considered fundamentally regressive?
Model answer
The taille was paid almost exclusively by the Third Estate, with nobles and clergy exempt, meaning the poorest bore the heaviest burden.
- 6
Why was the gabelle particularly unpopular?
Model answer
The gabelle varied enormously between regions, with some areas paying up to twenty times more than others.
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