- The French Revolution of 1789 was a declaration of equality that changed the economics, politics, and social classes in France.
- The revolution had both negative and positive impacts, but was intended to help the middle and lower classes.
- Majority if not all taxes were paid by peasants, farmers, and merchants. These groups of people were referred to as the Third Estate.Majority if not all taxes were paid by peasants, farmers, and merchants. These groups of people were referred to as the Third Estate.
- France was on the verge of going bankrupt due to King Louis XVI spending a lot of France’s money in wars.
- He had just given the United States over $200 million to help them get their independence.
- France’s queen, Marie Antoinette didn’t want to believe France was in financial trouble so when she stopped trying to save her country, bankers stopped giving them any loans.
- On May 5, 1789, the Third Estate showed up to the meeting held by the King. They wanted to change the name of the people who were invited to the meeting.
- It was currently known as the Estates-General because of the priests, nobles, and higher class people. The Third Estate pushed for it to be called the National Assembly so that it could include all the people of France.
- Word had gotten out that the people were revolting, not revolutionizing. Many people from Paris started to panic and so on June 12, 1789, they stormed the Bastille (a fortress used for prison by the King) in France trying to get guns, gunpowder, and weapons.
- This is forever known as the start of French Revolution and is even a national holiday now in France, known as Bastille Day (Platon).
- The French revolution led to the declaration of rights of man and citizens. The National Assembly created a document of human rights or their a constitution. It said the following:
- 1. All men were born free with equal rights.
- 2. All citizens have the right to take part in electing representatives to make the laws.
- 3. Every person shall be free to speak, write, or print his opinions provided he does not abuse this privilege.
- 4. The amount of taxes which a person is called upon to pay shall be based on the amount of wealth that he possesses.
- These four laws changed the history of France. Before 1789, France had no constitution or any way to protect people’s rights and freedom.
- One of the greatest results of the French Revolution, was the creation of the National Guard.
- The National Guard was an army whose role was to protect the new rights and laws the people fought for.
- Approximately 700, 000 men signed up for be soldiers for the National Guard and to help protect people and their property.
Credits:
Created with images by gadgetdude - "Napoleon Bonaparte Statue" • D-Stanley - "Louis XVI" • Biblioteca Rector Machado y Nuñez - ""El mariscal Moncey en la barrera de Clichy"."