6.1 On the Eve of Revolution

National Assembly

French Revolutionary assembly (1789-1791). Called first as the Estates General, the three estates came together and demanded radical change. It passed the Declaration of the Rights of Man in 1789.

What was the significance of the storming of the Bastille?

It became a symbol of the French Revolution. The supporters saw it as a blow to tyranny, and a step towards freedom.

What issues arose when Louis XVI called the Estates General in 1789?

Many issues arose, especially in the Third Estate, asking for changes and reforms. The voting also caused problems. Originally, there were only three votes, so that the 1st and 2nd Estate could outvote the 3rd.

Bastille

The political prison and armory stormed on July 14, 1789, by Partisian city workers alarmed by the king's concentration of troops at Versailles

Tennis Court Oath

a pledge made by the members of France's National Assembly in 1789, in which they vowed to continue meeting until they had drawn up a new constitution

Ancien Regime

a political and social system that no longer governs (especially the system that existed in France before the French Revolution)

Jacques Necker

financial expert of Louis XVI, he advised Louis to reduce court spending, reform his government, abolish tarriffs on internal trade, but the First and Second Estates got him fired

Deficit Spending

government practice of spending more than it takes in from taxes

Cahiers

list of grievances drawn up by delegates going to the meeting of the estates general

List key decisions and events of 1788 and 1789 in the order in which they occurred. Briefly explain the significance or effects of each decision and event in your list.

1788: France tottered on verge of bankruptcy. Bread riots spreading, nobles denouncing royal tyranny. 1789: Enormous debt, Third Estate asking for changes and reforms. Voting caused problems.

What economic troubles did France have in 1789?

Half of the government's income went to paying interests in its enormous debt.

Suppose that you were Jacques Necker. Write a paragraph or two explaining how your economic reform program will benefit France.

I am a financial wizard and an adviser for Louis XVI. I wanted the king to reduce extravagant court spending, and I want to abolish tariffs on internal trade. I proposed to tax the First/Second estates but the nobles forced Louis XVI to dismiss me.

Why were members of the Third Estate discontented with conditions under the old regime?

They resented the privileges enjoyed by other estates, heavy taxes, poor wages, poor harvested, and lack of rights

Bourgeoisie

the social class between the lower and upper classes