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Financial Trouble 1
Louis XVILouis XIV had left France in debt. Costs risen in the 1700's and the court soaked up millions. The government borrowed more money to bridege the gap between income and expenses. -
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Financial Troubles 2
Jaques NeckerTo solve this crisis the government would have to increase taxes, reduce expenses, or both. Louis XVI hired Jacpes Necker to help with the financial problems. when Necker suggested to have 1st and 2nd estate pay the nobels and clergy forced the king to fire him. -
Louis XVI Calls the Estates-General
France was on the verge of bankrupcy in 1788. Louis had all 3 estates prepare cahiers listing their grievances. Many cahiers called for fairer taxes, freedom or the press or regular meetings. Delegates to the Estates General from the 3rd esate were elected but only men who owned property could vote. -
Louis XVI Calls the Estates-General 2
The Estates-General convened in May 1789. After weeks of stalemate delegates of the 3rd estate took a daring step. In JUne 1789 claiming to represent the people of France, they declared themselves to be the National Assemby. A few days later the National Assembly found its meeting hall locked and guarded. -
Louis XVI Calls the Estates-General 3
They feared that the king planned to dismiss them so they moved to a nearyby indoor tennis court. The delegates took their famous Tennis Court Oath. They swore to never seperate and to meet wherever teh circumstances might require until they have stablished a sound and just constitution. -
Storming Bastille
More than 800 Parisians assembled outside of the Bastille. The commander refused to open the gates and opened fire on the crowd. In the battle that followed many people were killed. The mob, enraged, broke through the defenses and killed the commander and five guards. They released the prisoners. -
National Assembly Acts-Rights of Man
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen was a document that announced men had equal rights. Men were able to hold public office. It also asserted feedom of religion and called for taxes to be levied according to ability to pay. Women were dissapointed that they didn't have equal rights. -
National Assembly Acts-Women's March
6,000 women marched in the rain to Versailles. They marched to see the kin but most of the anger was direted towards Marie Antoinette. The women refused to leave until the king returned to Paris. The king agreed unhappily. The king and his family along with the women went back to Paris. -
National Assembly Acts-Church
The French Catholic Church is put under state control. In 1790 the civil constitution made it so bishops and priests became elected and salaried officers. Many bishops and priests refused. When the government punished clergy a huge golf opened between revolutionaries in Paris. -
Threats from Abroad
The failed escape of Louis XVI brought further hostile rumblings from abroad. In August 1791 the king of Prussia and the emporer of Austria issued the Declaration of Pilnitz. In the document the two monarchs threatened to intervene to protect the French Monarch. -
Threats From Abroad
The declaration may have been a bluff but revolutionaries in France took it seriously and pepared for war. -
Radicals Declare War
In October 1791 the newly elected Legislative Assembly took office. It survived less then a year due to crisis at home and abroad. The revolutionary currency dropped in value and prices rose rapidly and there were food shortages. In 1791 many sans-culottes demanded a government ruled by elected represenatives -
National Assembly Acts-Constitution
Parisians slaughtered the kings guards and a month later attacked prisons with nobels and preists in them and 1,200 prisoners were killed. -
Monarchy is Abolished
The Legislative Assembly votes to abolish the monarchy and establish the First Republic. This measure came a year after King Louis XVI unwillingly approaved a new constitution that stripped him of his power. -
Spread of Nationalism
Nationalism is a strong feeling of pride in and devotioin to ones country spread throughout France. Revolution and war gave French people a strong sense of national identity. By 1793 France was a nation of arms. -
Robespierre and the Reign of Terror
Robespierre was one of the chief architects of the reign of terror. It lasted from September 1793-July 1794. Courts conducted hasty trials. Robespierre was exectued on July 28th, 1794. -
Third Stage of Revolution
It was the third constitution since 1795. It was a 5 man directory and 2 house legislative. Dictatory had power from 1795-1799. Poloticians turned to Napoleon Bonaparte. Napolean eventually bcame emporer of France.
