Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/579

The French Revolution 437 revenue of the Church naturally suggested the idea that if the State seized the Church's possessions it could see that those who did the work were properly paid for it, and might, at the same time, secure a handsome sum which would help the government out of its financial troubles. The tithes had been abolished in August along with the feudal dues. On November 2 a decree was passed providing that "All the ecclesiastical possessions are at the disposal of the nation on condition that it provides properly for the expenses of main- taining religious services, for the support of those who conduct them, and for the succor of the poor." This decree deprived the bishops and priests of their benefices and made them dependent on salaries paid by the State. The monks, monasteries, and convents, too, lost their property. 1 759. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy. The Assembly set to work completely to reorganize the Church. The one hun- dred and thirty-four ancient bishoprics, some of which dated back to the Roman Empire, were replaced by the eighty-three new departments into which France had already been divided. Each of these became the diocese of a bishop, who was looked upon as an officer of the State and was to be elected by the people. The priests too were to be chosen by the people, and their salaries were much increased, so that even in the smallest villages they received over twice the minimum amount paid under the old regime. This Civil Constitution of the Clergy was the first serious mistake on the part of the National Assembly. While the half- feudalized Church had sadly needed reform, the sweeping changes which were introduced and the proposal to have the people elect the bishops and priests shocked thousands of those who had hitherto enthusiastically applauded the great reforms which the Assembly had effected. Louis XVI gave his assent to the changes, 1 The National Assembly resolved to issue a paper currency for which the newly ac- quired lands should serve as security. Of these assignats, as this paper money was called, about forty billions of francs were issued in the next seven years. But since so much land was thrown on the market, they were worth less and less as time went on, and ultimately a great part of them was repudiated.