The Revolutions of 1789

The French Debt Crisis France is deeply in debt b/c of the Seven Years’ War and American Revolution 1786-1788 Louis XVI can’t convince aristocracy and church to pay more taxes. parlement of Paris says only Estates General can make new taxes.

The Estates General Become the National Assembly Divided into the three Estates Meet in Versailles in May 1789 On June 1, the Third Estate mostly bourgeosie asks the others to form a legislature. June 17th The National Assembly is created

Three days later they take the Tennis Court Oath: They will sit until France has a constitution Louis XVI orders them to stop but more clergy and some nobles join June 27th: The king gives up and they become the National Constituent Assembly

The Fall of the Bastille Louis XVI gathers troops near Versailles and Paris The troops make the people of Paris nervous and they organize a militia in June. On July 14, they march on the Bastille, a fortress, to get weapons. Troops open fire. The angry crowd frees prisoners and kill the governor. Louis recognizes the gov. and its National Guard.

The Great Fear Peasants start reclaiming rights and property. They burn chateaux, destroy documents and refuse to pay feudal dues. Aug 4th: Aristocrats in the NCA surrender game rights, judicial authority, tithes and exemptions. All were now subject to the same laws.

Declaration of the Rights of Man Issued on August 27, 1789 Said all men were born equal with rights to liberty, property and personal safety. Gov. exists to protect rights. Equality before the law and in work Due process Religious freedom Progressive taxation

Louis hesitates to ratify and on Oct 5th 1,000s of Parisian women march on Versailles demanding bread Louis is forced to return to Paris and the assembly follows