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Deficit Spending by the Government
Deficit spending France was in debt due to the 7 Years War and also the American Revolution. The government was spending more money than they actually had. Louis XVI increased the debts. By 1789 half of the governments income from taxes was going to interest of the debt. -
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Louis XVI Calls The Estate-General
Louis XVI calls the Estates General to meet at Versailles the in the year of 1788. When they meet Louis asks the Estates to bring a notebooks for listing their grievances. Many called for reforms such as more fair taxes, freedom of press, and regular meetings of the Estate General. In June of 1789 the Estates claimed to represent the people of France. A few days later they took the Tenis Court Oath. -
Attack on the Bastille
Rumor spread through Paris that royal troops are coming to the capital. Over 800 people gathered outside the Bastille. The Bastille was a prison and consedered to be a symbol of horror to the people. At first the commander doesn't want open the gates and guards fight against the angry mob, but soon the mob bursts through the gates to look find gunpowder, kill the commander and parade his head on a stick.There was no gun powder found, but prisoners were released.The people destoryed the Bastille -
March to Versailles
6,000 women came together and marched 13 miles to Versailles demanding to talk to the king. Most of the women were angry because of the lavish lifestyle the royalty was living while they were living in poverty. The women refused to leave Versailes until the king and his family moved back to Paris. The king agreed; for three years he like a prisoner to the people -
Church is Under Control
The National Assembly put the Catholic Church under state control. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was issued in 1790. The document let bishops and priest became elected salaried officails. This ended papal authority. Anger upprised; most bishops and priest refused to accept it and the pope condemned it. -
Threats From Abroad
LouisXVI's failed escape attempt brought more discontent from the abroad. The king of Prussia and the emperor of Austria issued the Declaration of Pilnitz. This document threatened that the two monarchies would intervene to protect the monarchy of France. This document could of contained only empty threats, but France to it seriously and started to prepare for war. -
Monarchy is Abolished
The convention had more radicals than earlier assemblies. It voted to abolish the monarchy. And to establish a republic. A new constitution for France was written.The Jacobins wanted to hide all traces of the old order, so they stoped all titles of nobility. It is said later that the king will be executed in order for the revolution to live. -
Nationalism Spreads Through France
The revolution caused the people of France to have a sense of nationalism. it gave the the feeling of pride and devotion within their country. The people attended civic festivals ro celebrate the nation and the revolution. -
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Robespierre & the Reign of Terror
Robespierre was a lawyer and politician who rose to the Committee of Public Safety. Robespierre was one of the main architects of the Reign of Terror. Robespierre believed the terror was necessary to achieve the goals of the revolution. During the Reign of Terror those who resisted the revolution were considered suspects. About 300,000 people were thrown into prison. About 17,000 were executed by the guillotine which is horrible. -
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Third Stage of Revolution
The Revolution came to the third stage in result of the terror. Especially when the consitution of 1789 was written. The Constitution of 1795 had a five man directory and a two- house legislature who was elected by male citizens. The Directory kept a hold on France, but faced many growing challenge, such as revival royalist, emigres that returned to France, rising bread prices and supporters of a constitution monarchy.
