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The Old Regime
In the 1770s, the Old Regime, the social and political system of France, was divided into three large social classes, or estates. The First Estate was made up of the clergy of Roman Catholic Church. The Second Estate was made up of rich nobles who held the highest offices in government. Both of this Estates disagreed with Enlightenment ideas. The Third Estate included bourgeoisie, urban lower class, and peasant farmers who had no power to influence government and embraced enlightenment ideas. -
France's Declining Economy
By the 1780's, France's economy was in decline. This caused alarm, especially to merchants, factory owners, and bankers of the Third State. The decline was caused by heavy taxes, the increase in cost of living, and bad weather which caused crop failures and a shortage of grain. The price of bread doubled, and people faced starvation. -
Estates-General Meeting 1789
King Louis's solution to France's economic decline and debt was imposing taxes on the nobility. This led to the call for the first meeting of the Estates-General in 175 years, held on May 5, 1789, at Versailles. In this meeting, the Third Estates delegates whose views had been shaped by the Enlightenment ideas wanted to make many changes in the government. They insisted that all three estates met and that every delegate voted equally, giving them an advantage since they are the largest estate. -
The Creation of the National Assembly
Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyes suggested that the Third Estate delegates called themselves the National Assembly and pass laws and reforms in the name of the French people. After a long night of debate, the Third Estate agreed to this idea. On June 17, 1789, they voted to establish the National Assembly, proclaiming the beginning of a representative government. -
Tennis Court Oath
Three days after the creation of the National Assembly, the Third Estate delegates were locked out of their meeting room. They broke down a door to an indoor tennis court, pledging to stay until they had drawn up a new constitution. This pledge became known as the Tennis Court Oath. Later, some nobles and members of the clergy joined the Third Estate delegates. -
Storming the Bastille
Louis stationed his mercenary army of Swiss guards around Versailles, and in Paris, the rumors flew. People began to gather weapons in order to defend the city against attack. On July 14, a mob searching for gunpowder and arms stormed the Bastille, a Paris prison. The mob overwhelmed the guards and seized control of the building. The fall of the Bastille is a great symbolic act of revolution to the French People. -
Noblemen Join the Cause
On the night of August 4, 1789, noblemen declared their love for liberty and equality. Motivated by fear, they joined the National Assembly, eliminating the Old Regime by morning. -
Women's March on Versailles
In October 1789, thousands of Parisian women rioted over the rising price of bread. Brandishing knives, axes, and other weapons, the women marched on Versailles. First, they demanded that the National Assembly take action to provide bread. Then, they broke into the palace, killing some of the guards, and demanded that Louis and his wife returned to Paris. After some time, Louis agreed and left Versailles. -
The New Constitution
In September 1791, the National Assembly contemplated the new constitution, which Louis reluctantly approved. The constitution created a limited constitutional monarchy, stripping the king of much of his authority. It also created a new legislative body, the Legislative Assembly. -
France's Declaration of War
Monarchs and nobles in many European countries watched the changes taking place in France in alarm. They feared that similar revolts might break out in their own countries. As a result, some countries took action. For example, Austria and Prussia urged the French to restore Louis to his position as an absolute monarch. The Legislative Assembly responded by declaring war in April 1792
