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The Burden of Debt
Previously, Louis XIV had left France deeply in debt, especially when he participated in wars like the Seven Years' War and the American Revolution. Costs in the 1700's had begun to rise to try and bridge the gap between income and expense. The government also had to increase taxes, or reduce expenses. This caused the Third estate, the only ones who payed taxes,to have to pay all the expenses that they were given while not having good income themselves because the other estates didn't wanna pay. -
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The Rule of King Louis XV
The people who came after King Louis XIV weren't really the right men to solve the economic crisis that afflicted France. King Louis ruled from 1715 to 1774. He pursued pleasure before serious business and this lack of an effective king had created even more debt. Creating even more debt wasn't ever a good thing and resulted in the people having to pay for it, especially the Third Estate. -
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Economic Troubles
The were Economic Troubles that later added on to the financial crisis that King Louis XIV had caused. In the 1770's there has been a general economic decline resulting in the people having an even harder time in collecting money to get out of their debt. Also, causing the people to have to pay even more money in taxes to they could cover the gap. -
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Poor Harvest
In the late 1780's, a bad harvest sent food prices soaring and brought hunger to poorer peasants and city dwellers. Hard times and lack of food enraged the poorer people of the French economy and people had begun to riot, demanding bread. Peasant in the countryside also begun to attack the manor houses of the nobles. -
Louis XVI Calls the Estates General
Ending off 1788, France tottered on the edge of bankruptcy. Bread riots were spreading, and nobles, fearful of taxes, were denouncing royal tyranny. Louis XVI had then finally summoned the Estates General to meet at Versailles the following year. The call of the Estates General meeting meant the finalization of any changes to make sure if everyone had anymore changes that needed to be addressed. This gave the Third Estate a chance to make the right changes to better support their way of living. -
The Old Regime
In 1789, France still clung to the outdated social system that had been introduced in the middle ages. Everyone belonged to one of three classes. There was the First Estate who made up 1% of the population and the Second Estate who made up 2% of the population, together owning 45% of the land. Then, the Third Estate who made up 97% of the population, owned 55% of the land, being the only ones who had to payed taxes. This inequality caused the lower class to want to be treated better. -
Tennis Court Oath
The Estates General convened in May 1789. The Third Estate wanted to change type of voting to head counting. After weeks of statement, the Third Estate declared themselves to be the National Assembly. They then invited delegates from the other estates to help them write a constitution. The National Assembly then found the meeting hall locked and guarded. They then moved to an indoor tennis court, taking the Tennis Court Oath. Becoming intent to do whatever it took to get a just constitution. -
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Reforms in Government
Between these times the National Assembly passed laws aimed at correcting past abuses and setting up at new government. Reforming France's administrative structure by dividing the country into 83 equal districts. They also seized lands owned by Catholic Church. This property was then sold to the public. Proceeds were used to pay the national dept. They also saw the Catholic Church as part of the Old Regime so the sought to reform it as well. Changing many things within the French government. -
The Start of a Revolution
The spark of the revolution began within a Paris wallpaper factory. A rumor had spread that the factory owner was going to cut wadges even though bread prices were soaring. These workers then vandalized the owners home and later stopped some nobles from returning from the afternoon racetrack and forced them to say "Long live the Third Estate!" More riots then began to happen. The Third Estate had had enough with being treated poorly and demanded that all Estates should be treated equally. -
Storming of Bastille
The Storming of Bastille was a time where people charged the Bastille, demanding weapons and gunpowder. The commander refused and opened fire onto the people, killing many. The enraged mob soon broke into their defenses and found no weapons. When Louis was told of the attack he asked if it was a revolt but hen a Noble responded with “No, sire, it’s a revolution.” This time quickly became a symbol of the French Revolution, a step towards freedom and a blow towards tyranny. -
Constitution of 1791
The National Assembly finished writing a constitution for France. This constitution limited the authority of the king and divided the government into three branches. The kings could no longer make block laws on his own and tax-paying male voters elected members to a new legislative body called the Legislative Assembly. People had hoped that under the new constitutional monarchy, France could recover without further escape, however, marked a turning point. -
Declaring War
With the threat of foreign invasion bring the attention of the Legislative Assembly, many groups wanted to go to war. With only a few members opposing, the Legislative Assembly voted to declare war on Austria, hoping that Prussia and the other German states out of the war, failing in their objective. Causing Austrian and Prussian troops to invade France. These failures caused mass uprisings in Paris. -
The End of the Monarchy
The Legislative Assembly suspended the office of king. Armed Prussians Marched on the Tuileries Palace. They killed many of the king's guards and imprisoned the royal family. The Commune now ruled Paris and the Legislative Assembly tried to govern France. This caused the need of a new constitution. Thus, in the mist of a foreign war and political turmoil, France faced a complete change of government.
