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Deficit spending
Occurs when a government spends more money then it takes in.
Economic woes in France added to the social unrest and hightened tensions.
One of he causes of the economic troubles was a mushrooming financial crisis
that was due in part to years of deficit spending. Louis XIV had led France deeply
in debt. Costs generally had risen in the 1700’s. The government burrowed more
and more money to solve financial crisis, the government would have to increase
taxes, reduce expenses or both. -
Louis XVI Calls the Estates general
1788, France tottered on the verge of bankruptcy, bread riots were spreading, nobles, fearful of taxes were denouncing royal tyranny. Finally Louis XVI summoned the Estates General to meet at Versailles. In preparation , he had all three estates prepare cahiers - notebooks listing their grievances. -
Third Stage of the Revolution
In reaction to the terror, The revolution entered a third stage. Moving away from the excesses of the convention, moderates produced another constitution, the 3rd since 1789. The constitution of 1795 set up a five man directory and a two -house legislature directed by male citizens of property. The middle class and professional people of the bourgeoisie were the dominant force during this stage of the French Revolution. The directory held power from 1795 to 1799. -
Bastille
800 Parisians assembled outside the Bastille demanding weapons, and gun powder that they believed was stored in the basement of the bastille. The commander of the Bastille and five guards were killed in this uprising. the storming of the Bastille was a wake-up call for Louis XVI. SInce 1880 the french have celebrated Bastille day annually as their Independence day. -
National Assembly Acts
Peasant uprising an the storming of the national assembly into action. On
August 4th, in a combative all night meeting, nobles in the national assembly voted
to end their own privileges. They agreed to give up their old manorial dues, exclusive
hunting rights, special legal status, and exemption from taxes. -
Threats from Abroad
The failed escape of Louis XVI brought further hostile rumblings from abroad. In
August 1791, The king of Prussia and the emperor of Austria who was Maria Antoinettes
brother issued the declaration of Pilnitz. In this document, The two monarchs threatened to
intervene to protect the french Monarchy. The Declaration may have been mostly a bluff, but
revolutionaries in France took the threat seriously and prepared for war. -
Civil War
European rulers increased border patrols to stop the spread of the “French plague”.
Emigres reported attacks on their privileges , property , religion , and their own lives. The failed escape of Louis XVI brought further hostile rumblings from abroad issued the Declaration of Pilnitz. the declaration may have been mostly a bluff , but revolutionaries in France took the threat seriously and prepared for was. -
Monarchy is abolished
Royalists officers were deserting the French army , joining emigres and others hoping to restore the kings power. August 10, 1792 a crowd of Palisians stormed the royal palace of the Tuileries an slaughtered all the kings and guards. -
Robespierre and the Revolution
Early 1793 , danger threatened France on all sides . They were at war with much of Europe at the time. England , Netherlands , Spain , and Prussia. In Vendee, France royalists led peasants in rebellion against the government. Robespierre, a shrewd lawyer, and politician quickly rose to leadership of the committee of public safety. Robespierre was one of the chief architects of the region of Terror, which lasted from September 1793-1794
