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France in Debt
During the 1770-1780's, France was in a huge debt. Louis took the charge for his debts and the ones from kings before him. Marie Antoinette did not help with the situation. -
Enlightenment Ideas
New views about power and authority in government were spreading. Third Estate members were exalted by the American Revolution With Rousseau and Voltaire's ideas, the began stipulating equality, liberty and democracy. -
Economic Trouble
France's economy was decreasing, weather was not allowing crops to grow correctly -
Weak Leader
King Louis XVI paid little attention to his government advisers, had little patience, Marie Antoinette was unpopular, after coming from an enemy country, she didn't help Louis with advice or anything at all. -
Great Fear
Rumor had it that nobles had a plan to terrorize peasants. Consequently, peasants got armed and broke into the nobles' houses. They destroyed legal papers that bound them to pay dues. Some just simply burned down the entire house. -
Women Outrage
The prices of the bread had risen. Therefore, Parisian women marched onto Versailles, demanded that the National Assembly take action to provide bread. Then they broke into the palace, killing some guards, and demanded the Louis and Marie Antoinette returned to Paris. They agreed. -
Estates General Meeting
Three Estates met together to approve a new tax for the nobles to pay or not after King Louis had ran out of money. -
The National Assembly
There was an end of absolute monarchy and the start of representative government. -
Tennis Court Oath
Some Third Estate delegates broke down a door where they were locked and found themselves in an indoor tennis court, not leaving until they had drawn up a new constitution. -
Bastille Day