Event

Date

Assembly of the Notables

Feb 1787

The Facts (Why did this event take place/ What happened) - Seeking approval for reforms (thought that notables would agree) Some clergy did not agree with the Kings reforms (they had most to lose) Some insisted on a meeting with Estates General while some didnt A few nobles willing to accept An assembly of clergy was revolting against the King and wanted him to summon the Estates- General to discuss the matter of the financial crisis The year before that (1788), the Crown had gone bankrupt and Estates-General had to step in before it got worse To assume control over its own affairs and decide taxation (third estate)

The Significance (How did this cause the FR?) Calonne sacked in April (though he was popular among the people) Frances deep economic & social government problems worsened Weakened Kings position allowed ministers to rule

Calling and Meeting of Estates-General

May 1789

Summoning of Estates-General paved way for reform proposed by Kings ministers to be approved (assembly of Notables had rejected these) Eventually helped France get back on their feet

The National Assembly

17 June 1789

The clergy joined the third estate pose as a direct challenge to the king National Assembly represented opinions of the whole nation First formal opposition of King from citizens Sparked wide variety of revolutionary activity Refused to back down from forced concessions from King

The Tennis Court Oath 20 June 1789 National Assembly suspected Royal attack (locked out, chamber door guarded) Swore Not to separate and to reassemble wherever consequences require until the constitution of the Kingdom is established -

The Royal Session

23 June 1789

King Louis XVI hoped to resolve the deadlock that centred on voting where the first and second and estate wanted to continue voting by order (put them in control) Third estate wanted to vote by head (shift control to them) Needed gunpowder/ cartridges & artillery Crowd of 8000 stormed Bastilles on the edge of working class district a symbol of hated ancient regime Governor Marquis de Launay was captured, decapitated, and his head was paraded among the streets 1756 1783 France builds up in enormous debts by participating in 7-year war and American War February 22, 1787 Assembly of Notables convenes, rejects Calonnes debt relief proposal wanted nobles to agree to new taxes or forfeit exemption in current ones Notables agreed to neither King Louis XVI fired Calonne

Declaration that all resolutions made by third estate alone = WORTHLESS (refused them to vote by head)

The Storming of Bastille 14 July 1789 -

Destruction of a symbol of the arbitrary power of the king King lost control! D;

1783 1788

Financial Crisis

Happened during famine less food & higher prices Increase taxations less $$ for peasants