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France's once prosperous economy was in decline. This caused alarm, particularly the merchants, factory owners, and bankers.
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Bankers refused to lend the government more money, Louis faced serious problems. The reason for that is because of the extrsvagant spending of the King and Queen.
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On the 17th of June 1789, they voted to establish the National Assembly, in effect proclaiming the end of absolute monarchy.
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In the October of 1789, thousands of women rioted over the rising prices of bread. Brandishing knives, axis, and other weapons, the woman marched on Versailles.
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The National Assembly adopted a statement of revolutionary ideals, the Declaration of the rights of a Man and Citizen.
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The royal family tried to escape to the Austrian Netherlands. As they neared the border they were apprehended and returnedd to Paris underguards.
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The National Assembly completed the constitution, which King Louis reluctantly approved. The constitution created a limited constitutional monarchy. It stripped the king of much of his authourity.
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Many of the National Assembly's early reforms focused on the church. The assembly took over the church lands and declared that church officials and priests were to be elected and payed as state officals.