Short-term causes of the Revolution: from Assembly of Notables to Estates General, 1787–89

short term effects

What was the Assembly of Notables (1787)?

The Assembly of Notables was a meeting convened by King Louis XVI in 1787, consisting of nobles, high-ranking clergy, and magistrates, to discuss France's financial crisis. The government was in deep debt, exacerbated by costly wars, including the American Revolution, and lavish royal spending. The assembly was called to endorse new taxes, but many members resisted, questioning the legitimacy of these taxes and the king's authority. Their refusal to approve reforms deepened tensions between the monarchy and the nobility, contributing to the weakening of royal power and foreshadowing the revolutionary events of 1789.

What were the policies of Calonne and Brienne, and what were their consequences?

Charles Alexandre de Calonne, the finance minister, introduced reforms in the late 1780s to address France’s crippling debt. These included new taxes on land, goods, and income. Calonne’s proposals were controversial and faced opposition from the Assembly of Notables, who felt the tax burden should not fall solely on the nobility. After Calonne was dismissed in 1787, his successor, Archbishop Loménie de Brienne, continued similar policies but faced even more resistance. The parlements, which were powerful courts in France, refused to register the new tax laws and challenged the king’s authority. Their opposition made it impossible for Brienne to resolve the financial crisis, deepening dissatisfaction with the monarchy and pushing France closer to revolution.

What was the Estates General of 1789, and what led to its convening?

The Estates General of 1789 was a meeting of representatives from France’s three estates: the clergy (First Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), and the commoners (Third Estate). It had not been convened since 1614, but due to the worsening financial crisis caused by debt from wars and extravagant spending, King Louis XVI called it to address the nation's fiscal problems. The parlements' resistance to royal reforms and the growing economic distress, such as food shortages and high bread prices, fueled the discontent among the commoners. The Third Estate, representing the common people, was increasingly frustrated with their lack of power and wanted to push for reforms, including equal representation. The Estates General became a turning point where political and social tensions would erupt into full-scale revolution.

What was the Tennis Court Oath?

The Tennis Court Oath was a pivotal event in June 1789 during the meeting of the Estates General. The Third Estate, which represented the commoners, had grown frustrated with the lack of progress in the Estates General and the dominance of the First and Second Estates. After being locked out of their meeting hall, they gathered in a nearby tennis court and swore not to separate until a new constitution was created for France. This oath represented a significant shift in power from the king and traditional institutions to the people, signaling the Third Estate’s determination to reform the political system and mark the beginning of a radical phase in the revolution.

What was the significance of the storming of the Bastille?

The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, was one of the most iconic events of the French Revolution. The Bastille, a medieval fortress and prison in Paris, symbolized the king's absolute power and the oppression of the people. As tensions rose due to food shortages and rising bread prices, Parisians stormed the Bastille in search of weapons to defend themselves against royal troops. The fall of the Bastille was not only a physical victory but also a powerful symbol of the people's uprising against the monarchy and the old regime. It marked the beginning of widespread revolutionary action and the decline of royal authority.

What was the Grande Peur

The Grande Peur was a wave of panic and violence that swept through rural France in the summer of 1789. Fearing an aristocratic conspiracy to suppress the revolution, peasants began attacking feudal estates, burning documents, and seizing grain to prevent famine. This unrest was fueled by rumors of royal troops being mobilized to crush the revolution. The economic distress—with food shortages and high prices—further aggravated the situation. The Great Fear spread quickly through the countryside, further undermining the nobility’s power and the authority of the monarchy. It was a key event that contributed to the collapse of the old feudal system and the subsequent reforms of the National Assembly.

What was the National Assembly, and how was it formed?

The National Assembly was formed in June 1789 when the Third Estate, after being locked out of the Estates General, declared itself the legitimate government of France. It was initially composed of the representatives of the Third Estate, but shortly after its formation, many members of the First and Second Estates joined in solidarity. The National Assembly’s primary goal was to draft a new constitution for France that would limit the king’s power and establish a system based on representative democracy. The failure of the Assembly of Notables, the resistance from the parlements, and the growing social unrest contributed to the need for such a body. The formation of the National Assembly was a critical step toward the abolition of the old regime and the creation of a new, more egalitarian political order.

Economic Distress:

the financial crisis in France was one of the driving factors behind the revolution. The cost of wars such as the American Revolution and the lavish spending of King Louis XVI led to a growing national debt. The king's inability to reform the tax system, due to opposition from the nobility and parlements, exacerbated the crisis, leading to widespread social unrest.

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Role of the Parlements: The parlements, particularly the Paris Parlement, played a significant role in resisting royal reforms. They rejected the new tax proposals and insisted that only the Estates General had the power to approve new taxes. This resistance not only weakened the monarchy's authority but also fueled resentment among the common people, who saw the nobility as selfish and out of touch with their struggles.