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Outbreak of The French Revolution

The French Revolution was sparked by a financial crisis that forced King Louis XVI to call the Estates General in 1789 to approve new taxes. The Third Estate, representing commoners, formed the National Assembly after walking out due to voting disputes, leading to significant unrest and the storming of the Bastille. Ultimately, the National Assembly abolished feudal privileges and established a constitution that limited the king's powers.

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34 views2 pages

Outbreak of The French Revolution

The French Revolution was sparked by a financial crisis that forced King Louis XVI to call the Estates General in 1789 to approve new taxes. The Third Estate, representing commoners, formed the National Assembly after walking out due to voting disputes, leading to significant unrest and the storming of the Bastille. Ultimately, the National Assembly abolished feudal privileges and established a constitution that limited the king's powers.

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krishitachawla
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Notes on the Outbreak of the French Revolution

Context for Taxation

 Financial Crisis: Louis XVI needed to increase taxes due to financial strains from
wars and court expenses.

Estates General and Tax Proposals

 Power of the Monarch: Louis XVI could not impose taxes unilaterally; required
approval from the Estates General.
 Estates General: A political body with representatives from the three estates. The
last meeting before 1789 was in 1614.
 Meeting of May 5, 1789: Louis XVI called the Estates General to approve new taxes.
The assembly was held in Versailles.

Representation and Voting

 Composition:
o First Estate (Clergy): 300 representatives
o Second Estate (Nobility): 300 representatives
o Third Estate (Commoners): 600 representatives (more prosperous and
educated members)
 Grievances: Representatives brought 40,000 letters listing grievances from peasants,
artisans, and women.
 Voting System: Traditionally, each estate had one vote. The Third Estate demanded
voting by individual members (one vote per member) based on Rousseau’s
democratic principles.

Formation of the National Assembly

 Walkout: After the king rejected the voting reform, the Third Estate representatives
walked out.
 National Assembly: On June 20, 1789, they declared themselves the National
Assembly in an indoor tennis court, vowing to draft a constitution to limit the
monarch’s power.
 Leaders:
o Mirabeau: Noble convinced of abolishing feudal privileges; influential
speaker and journalist.
o Abbé Sieyes: Priest and author of "What is the Third Estate?".

Unrest and Popular Revolts

 Economic Hardships: Severe winter led to poor harvests and high bread prices.
Bakers hoarded supplies, leading to unrest.
 Storming of the Bastille: On July 14, 1789, angry crowds in Paris stormed and
destroyed the Bastille.
 Rural Panic: Rumors of brigands hired by lords led to peasant revolts, attacks on
chateaux, looting grain, and burning manorial records. Many nobles fled.
Recognition and Reforms

 King's Concession: Faced with revolt, Louis XVI recognized the National Assembly
and accepted a constitution limiting his powers.
 Abolition of Feudal Privileges: On August 4, 1789, the Assembly abolished feudal
obligations and taxes. Clergy privileges and tithes were also abolished. Church lands
were confiscated, yielding assets worth 2 billion livres.

Key Points

 Tax Imposition: Required approval from the Estates General, called by the king.
 National Assembly: Formed by the Third Estate; aimed to draft a constitution.
 Economic and Social Turmoil: Led to significant popular revolts.
 Feudal System Abolished: Marked the end of feudal privileges and the beginning of
constitutional governance.

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