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Louis XVI and his Debts
Rather than cutting expenses, Louis put off dealing with the emergency until he practically had no money left. His solution was to impose taxes on the nobility. However, the Second Estate forced him to call a meeting of the Estates General, an assembly of representatives from all three estates- to approve this new tax. The meeting, the first in 175 years. -
National Assembly
They voted to establish the National Assembly, in effect proclaiming the end of absolute monarchy and the beginning of representative government. -
Mob
A mob searching for gunpowder and arms stormed the Bastille, a Paris prison. The mob overwhelmed the guard and seized control of the building. The angry attackers hacked the prison commander and several guards to death, and then paraded around the streets with the dead men;s’ heads on pikes. -
Noblemen and Their Inspirations
Noblemen made grand speeches, declaring their love of liberty and equality. Motivated more by fear than by idealism, they joined other members of the National Assembly in sweeping away the feudal privileges of the First and Second Estate, thus making commoners equal to the nobles and clergy. -
Liberty and Equality
The Declaration of the Rights of Man was passed by the National Assembly. The nobles pronounced the slogan of the French Revolution all day, liberty, equality, and fraternity. -
Women and There Bread
Thousands of parisian women rioted over the rising price of bread. Brandishing knives, axes, and other weapons, the women marche on the versailles. First, they demanded that the National Assembly take action to provide bread. Then they turned their anger on the king and queen. They broke into the palace, killing some of the guards. -
Religious Orders
Suppresions of religious orders and vows, abolition of titles and nobility's, Civil Constitution, subordinating the Church to the civil government, inaugurated by Louis XVI, First counter-revolutionary assembly at Jalès -
Royal Family
The royal family tried to escape from France to the Austrian Netherlands. As they neared the border, however, they were apprehended and returned to Paris under guard. Louis attempt to escape increased the influence of his radical enemies in the government and sealed his fate. -
The New Constitution
The National Assembly completed the new Constitution, which Louis reluctantly approved. The Constitution created limited constitutional monarchy. It stripped the king of much of his authority. It also created a new legislative body- the Legislative Assembly. This body had the power to create laws and approve or reject declarations of war. However, the king still held the executive power to enforce laws. -
Fear has Come for Everyone
Monarchs and nobles in many European countries watched the changes taking place in France with alarm. They feared that similar revolts might break out in their own countries. In fact, some countries took action. Austria and Prussia, for example, urged the French to restore Louis to his position as an absolute monarch. The Legislative Assembly responded by declaring war. -
Legislative Assembly's Importance
Under pressure from radicals in the streets and among its members, the Legislative Assembly set aside the Constitution of 1971. It declared the king deposed, dissolved the assembly, and called for the election of a new legislature. This new governing body, the National Convention, took office on September 21. It quickly abolished the monarchy and declared France republic. Adult male citizens were granted the right to vote and hold office.
