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Calling of the Estates-General
Philosophers made French citizens aware of the government's abuses. The issue of voting/election was often debated, concerning whether or not 1 vote=1 estate OR 1 individual. Later, the 3rd Estate declares themselvesd the Nationsl Assembly and enacts their own reform w/o the other 2 estates. -
Tennis Court Oath
After the 3rd Estate was excluded from a political meeting meant for all estates to participate in, they angrily took themselves elsewhere. They ended up holding their own meeting in a local tennis court. An agreement was reahced that unrest would remain until a just French Constitution was developed. -
The Storming of the Bastille
The poor citizens did this in reaction to rumors that King Louis planned on using his army against them. The Bastille prison was torn apart by the armed and angry mob in hopes of recovering indignant prisoners (only about five were alive). This was a great symbol of the revolution, despite the idea that it had little significance regarding reform. However, it represents the eminent destruction of the Old Regime and the end of its era. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
This was the first document to limit the king's power, and was referred to as the "great equalizer". Tax excemptions no longer existed for any of the estates. Anyone had the legal right to hold political office if desired. However, women still had little rights-despite the efforts of Abigail Adams.
