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The financial crisis
Because of the expensive habit of past and present kings France's and Louis XIV debts grew to the point where bankers wouldn't lend the government any more money. France was out of money! This caused movement forward because the king finally gave the estates what they had been asking for(a meeting of the estates genera)l and tried to fix the country's problems. -
Meeting of the Estates General
In 1788 the government was out of money so in august of that year Louis XIV called a meeting of the Estates General. This meeting was meant to get all 3 estates to approve of new taxes in order to get the government more money. This led to movement because the once this didn't work it led to the national assembly which was led by the 3rd estate -
Before the Revolution- The Old Regime
During the Old Regime the people of France were split into 3 estates or classes. The first estate was the most privileged estate and was made up of the clergy of the Roman Catholic Church. . The second estate was the nobility or the people that held high positions in the army or government. The 3rd estate was the least privileged and was the poorest of them all they were peasants. This caused movement forward because people began to protest this system and it caused changes to be made, -
National Assembly- Tennis Court Oath
Led by the 3rd Estate delegates from each estate took and oath and agreed that they would not stop meeting until they had written a constitution for France and seen it adopted. This shows movement forward because the country was finally agreeing on something and was finally moving forward in the process of making the necessary changes. -
Storming of Bastille
The French people stormed the Bastille prison to protest and show force against the government. The people looted the prison and destroyed it. This outbreak of violence was movement forward because it led to the formation of a new government in Paris which helped in order to make reforms to the country. -
The writing of the declaration of rights of man
After the old regime was over a declaration was signed this document outlined basic human rights and political power. This document stated that men are born equal and remain equal before the law. It guaranteed many rights and freedoms for all men it was the first step toward a constitution for France -
Reforms in government
Between 1789-1791 the National Assembly passed laws that were aimed at correcting past abuses and setting up a new government. The National Assembly also made changes in order to make sure that everyone was equal. This showed mass movement forward into the revolution and making the country better. -
The Constitution
The French wrote a constitution that limited the authority of the king and divided the government into 3 branches. The constitution said the king couldn't do a lot of things he used to be able to do so he and his family attempted to escape. When the king tried to escape it marked a turning point because people no longer trusted him and discussed creating a republic instead. This shows that the French moved forward in changing their country and made many changes that beniftted their country today