<aside> <img src="/icons/flash_gray.svg" alt="/icons/flash_gray.svg" width="40px" /> In this lesson, you will…
Big Question: How did the problems of monarchy directly lead to the first comprehensive declaration of rights?
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The French Revolution was deeply inspired by the Enlightenment ideals that championed rational thought, democratic governance, and individual freedoms. These beliefs challenged the existing absolute monarchy and the privileges of the nobility.
Concurrently, France was grappling with a severe financial crisis. The economy was burdened by heavy tax injustices, fiscal mismanagement, and expensive wars. This economic distress was a pivotal factor in fueling the revolutionary fervor among the masses, sparking the onset of the French Revolution.
The members of the Third Estate, which represented the common people of France, took a revolutionary step by forming the National Assembly. They took an oath, known as the Tennis Court Oath, where they pledged to continue meeting until a new Constitution was established. This was a promise that signaled their commitment to a new and democratic France.
In the midst of growing tension and fear, rumors began to circulate that the King was planning an attack. These rumors eventually reached Paris, causing a ripple of panic among the citizens. In response, a determined group of approximately 900 Parisians took it upon themselves to take action. On July 14th, 1789, they stormed the Bastille prison. Their goal was clear: to secure weapons and armament that would be vital in the event of an attack.
In the heart of France, a significant wave of unrest began to surge, with revolts cropping up all over the country. These weren't just isolated incidents, but rather a nationwide phenomenon signaling a deep-seated discontent. Many of the Royal soldiers refused to raise their weapons against the rioters.
In 1789, the National Assembly sprung to action and addressed the country’s issues with three pieces of reform:
The August Decrees, a revolutionary set of decrees enacted during the French Revolution, played a pivotal role in the restructuring of French society. The decrees successfully abolished the long-standing privileges of the Nobles, which had been a significant cause of social inequality in France. This move marked a significant shift in the balance of power, effectively undermining the nobility's grip on the wealth and resources of the nation. Furthermore, the decrees confiscated all of the lands of the Church. The Church had been one of the most powerful and wealthy institutions in France. The confiscation of its lands further redistributed wealth and resources, contributing to a more egalitarian society.
The French Constitution of 1791 fundamentally altered the structure of power within the nation. The document proposed that the King would share power with the National Assembly, a revolutionary concept in a dominantly monarchal Europe.
However, this proposed power-sharing arrangement was met with resistance. Initially, the King was reluctant to concede his absolute authority and refused to agree to these new constitutional terms.