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The Revolutions of 1789. The French Debt Crisis. France is deeply in debt b/c of the Seven Years’ War and American Revolution 1786-1788 Louis XVI can’t convince aristocracy and church to pay more taxes. parlement of Paris says only Estates General can make new taxes.
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The French Debt Crisis • France is deeply in debt b/c of the Seven Years’ War and American Revolution • 1786-1788 Louis XVI can’t convince aristocracy and church to pay more taxes. • parlement of Paris says only Estates General can make new taxes.
The Estates General Become the National Assembly • Divided into the three Estates • Meet in Versailles in May 1789 • On June 1, the Third Estate mostly bourgeosie asks the others to form a legislature. • June 17th The National Assembly is created
Three days later they take the Tennis Court Oath: They will sit until France has a constitution • Louis XVI orders them to stop but more clergy and some nobles join • June 27th: The king gives up and they become the National Constituent Assembly
The Fall of the Bastille • Louis XVI gathers troops near Versailles and Paris • The troops make the people of Paris nervous and they organize a militia in June. • On July 14, they march on the Bastille, a fortress, to get weapons. • Troops open fire. The angry crowd frees prisoners and kill the governor. Louis recognizes the gov. and its National Guard.
The Great Fear • Peasants start reclaiming rights and property. • They burn chateaux, destroy documents and refuse to pay feudal dues. • Aug 4th: Aristocrats in the NCA surrender game rights, judicial authority, tithes and exemptions. • All were now subject to the same laws.
Declaration of the Rights of Man • Issued on August 27, 1789 • Said all men were born equal with rights to liberty, property and personal safety. • Gov. exists to protect rights. • Equality before the law and in work • Due process • Religious freedom • Progressive taxation
Louis hesitates to ratify and on Oct 5th 1,000s of Parisian women march on Versailles demanding bread • Louis is forced to return to Paris and the assembly follows