The Revolution and experiment in constitutional monarchy

The Estates-general

- First session on May 5th, 1789, when all the deputies gathered to hear Louis XVI
explain the circumstances of the opening and his expectations of the session.
- Despite the speeches it was clear that already no agenda had been put forward for a
reform package for the third estate or indeed any clear indication into the
procedures that could be adopted such as voting

Formation of the National Assembly

- There was a need for the verification of the deputies elected but the third estate
wanted a meeting together whereas the first and second preferred separate
meetings – the third estate also refused to carry this out until a clear procedure of
voting by head had been agreed.
- Abbe Sieyes proved one of the most influential in this case and the third estate, after
an internal vote, decided to call itself the ‘National Assembly’ to reflect their right to
represent the nation and its intentions to make its own decisions about the future of
France – other estates were invited to join, and the clergy did, followed by more
liberal nobles.

The Tennis Court Oath

- Necker had persuaded the king that he needed to present a clear reform programme
to the deputies in a royal session – the arrival of the deputies on the morning of the
session saw them fearful that the king had dishonoured his promise as the doors to
the assembly were locked and guarded and so they made their way to the nearest
available space, the royal tennis court.
- Here, they all swore the oath in which they vowed never to disband, no matter what
they were forced to meet, until France had a new constitution – It was seen as a
challenge to the position of the King and thus was one of the first revolutionary
actions.

The royal session and its aftermath

- The promised session did occur the same day and despite the kings agreement on a
new taxation and fairer land tax that was based on the value of the land and not
social status, the king disagreed with the terms Estates-general and National
Assembly and believed in the separate meeting of the estates, prompting a reaction
of protestation by the Assembly.
- Desmoulins, an orator, stirred up fury against the king and his court and the king was
forced to bring another 4800 troops to Paris in light of the instable financial position
of the state.
- 27th June – Louis accepted the National Assembly and permitted voting by head –
there was still a lack of trust in the king however due to the high military presence in
the capital and the fact that the majority of the 30000 troops were foreign
 mercenaries, indicating that Louis did not trust his own national troops for their
loyalty.
- The dismissal of Necker reaffirmed the fears of the Assembly of Louis seeking a way
to prevent reform and go back on his promises – it came at a time of more economic
depression and stress and a high increase in bread prices due to poor harvest.

Storming of the Bastille

- Paris saw a continued breakdown in order and the 12th to the 13th July reaffirmed this
as mobs armed themselves continuously in preparation for a possible royal assault.
- A commune was set up by some Paris electors and they set up a National Guard of
volunteers who would defend and protect the city from the king and his possible
actions.
- Weapons were needed for defence and 14th July saw 8000 descend on Les Invalides
which held many weapons – however, gunpowder was needed and word of it being
present in the Bastille saw the crowd and the National Guard move towards the
Bastille.
- There was no intention of storming the fortress but a small group entered and were
killed, prompting an enraged crowd to storm the building – this was the first real
example of the sans-culotte’s power and revolt and the first proper journée (day of
action and disturbance) that had occurred so far.
- The King was forced to return to Paris and had to address the population, stating that
he accepted the National Assembly, the Paris Commune and the National Guard as
well as the reinstatement of Necker.

Developments in the Country and the Great Fear

- The revolt in Paris and developments in Versailles were reflected around the country
and many began to attack the houses of magistrates and royal officials – National
Guard units were used to replace the old town councils.
- The disorder spread throughout the countryside with little control as the peasants
believed this to be the end of their suffering bringing new wealth and status, refusing
to pay taxes and arming themselves.
- The troubles did also come from the economic disorder that the country had
suffered from due to bad harvest and drought - the ‘Great Fear’ was more driven by
rumour but also there was evidence for it as marauding brigands, linked with nobles,
would steal grain and attack farming families – many nobles who had fled due to the
peasants revolting were feared to return with foreign armies to take revenge on the
peasants – in certain areas, the uprisings had included all the community and not just
the peasants.

Abolition of feudal rights

- The Assembly’s response to the great fear was to abolish feudal rights to ensure the
peasants paid their state tax and doing this promoting further Enlightenment values
of patriotism – As well as this, the Assembly abolished many of the privileges of the
nobility and the Church as a means of preventing further revolt.
 - The main changes were that venality was abolished, all financial and tax privileges
relating to a land or persons were abolished, all citizens were to be taxed equally and
special privileges for provinces or towns were abolished.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen

- The following weeks saw the continued debate of the restructuring of France - this
declaration was drawn up as a means of providing a framework for the new
constitution.
- It declared all men are born free and equal, power rests with the propel, freedom of
worship and expression and taxation to be made in proportion to ones means.
- Along with the August decrees (Abolition of Feudal rights), this were both presented
to the King for his assent and by refusing it, Louis would suggest that his acceptance
of the National Assembly before was in doubt and also would go against his belief in
Divine right.
- Both of these were important in dismantling the ancient regime – Despite there
being a lot still to be done, there was an end of noble power and there was proposed
equality in terms of taxation and rights.
- The Peasants committed as it brought about the end to the feudal system but the
idea of paying compensation to landlords due to the abolition of this system caused
some to turn against the revolution later.

Nationalisation of Church land

- September saw the government face a serious financial crisis due to the lack of tax
revenue and no loan could be raised – Many in the Assembly considered radical
action against the church as one of the largest landowners in the country – it was
agreed that all the land of the church should be placed at the hands of the nation
due to its extreme value.
- The first sale of land saw the income of 400 million livres which aided the
government in their financial needs – they also granted religious liberty to
protestants as a means of distancing from the power of Catholicism and the Catholic
church during the ancien regime.

The October days

- Louis remained hesitant and uncooperative as the Assembly agreed to limit the king’s
power through a suspensory veto rather than an absolute one – His summoning of
troops again in October resurfaced fears of his lack of acceptance.
- The population’s idea of a march to Versailles was formed at the beginning of the
month and 7000 set off to confront the King accompanied by the National Guard as a
precaution.
- The crowds pressed Louis for action, and he was yet again forced to accept the
August decrees and the Declaration of Rights – He also agreed to move back to Paris
but their move to the Tuileries Palace saw them treated more as prisoners – the
assembly moved to Paris two weeks later as they needed the king to complete their
business
- The frustration of the Parisian crowds was vital in the ability to overcome the
hesitance and the frustrations of the politicians and the king and the centralisation of
power to Paris meant that the King and politicians were now under constant scrutiny.