Timeline of early Revolution events

1786 Calonne’s reforms

A new permanent direct tax on all landowners with no exemptions

Feb 1787

Assembly of notables

144 notables met and many of the notables had visible resentment for Calonne. They were in favour of Calonne’s proposals, but suggested that the new land tax should not be permanent

Information was leaked to the public through pamphlets

Vergennes dies, a supporter of Calonne who would have been an important ally in the Assembly of Notables. Calonne faced great resistance without him.

April 1787 Calonne’s dismissal

Calonne dismissed by King Louis and replaced by Brienne

August 1787 

Parlement exiled and riots

30th July, the Paris parlement refused to register another reform, and the King did a lit de justice. The parlement declared this illegal, and was exiled to Troyes.

Crowds assembled when the parlements met - support for the magistrate was clear in salons and pamphlets.

The exile led to riots in Paris, and the Paris parlement was recalled in September

Brienne made significant changes ti the supposed financial reforms

Nov 1787 - Royal Session Blunder

Opposition to the Crown was growing, and when the King's registration for new loans in November 1787 was rendered illegal by the Duc d’Orleans, the King stammered “I don’t care, it’s legal because I wish it”.

In May the parlement made a public declaration and the Crown responded by attempting to destroy the ability of the parlement to obstruct and delay reforms 

June 1788

Day of Tiles

Revolts in Grenoble against the King’s attempt to force these new despotic laws. When royal soldiers went into the town to forcibly dissolve the parlement and arrest its members, violence broke out in the streets. Roof tiles were flung down on Louis’ troops from surrounding buildings. Even the clergy joined in the protests

The nobility of Brittany sent a group of representatives to Versailles to denounce the King’s ministers as criminals

The representatives were arrested and thrown into the Bastille

August 1788

Bankruptcy and Estates General called

Louis recalled the members of the Paris parlement to the city

16th August, the treasury declared that all payments would be suspended and the Crown would no longer be able to receive loans

The government could not pay its soldiers or finance the royal court

Brienne and the King called the Estates General on 1 May 1789 

Brienne convinced the King to reappoint Necker, who still had some popular credit, before resigning