Les États généraux et les assemblées (1789-1792) ✶ La Révolution française

Summary

This video explores the early stages of the French Revolution, focusing on the Estates-General of 1789. The monarchy’s financial crisis led King Louis XVI to call the Estates-General, where the Third Estate, representing commoners, pushed for more representation. After tensions, the Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly, leading to the Tennis Court Oath, and eventually, the drafting of the Declaration of the Rights of Man. The video highlights key moments such as the fall of the Bastille, the abolition of feudal privileges, and the rise of constitutional monarchy, setting the stage for the radical shift towards the First French Republic.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Estates-General were convened in 1789 due to France's financial crisis, caused by poor harvests and mounting debt.
• 😀 The population in the Ancien Régime was divided into three estates: the nobility, the clergy, and the Third Estate, which represented the common people.
• 😀 The Estates-General had unequal representation, with the Third Estate (Tiers État) having fewer representatives than the clergy and nobility, despite representing the vast majority of the population.
• 😀 The Third Estate felt their demands would be ignored and thus declared itself the National Assembly on June 17, 1789, marking the beginning of a major shift in power.
• 😀 The National Assembly was joined by some clergy and nobility members, and they vowed not to disband until a new constitution was written (the Tennis Court Oath).
• 😀 The National Assembly eventually became the National Constituent Assembly, which drafted a new constitution and adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
• 😀 The French Revolution marked the end of the Ancien Régime and the abolition of feudal privileges, establishing equality before the law and taxes for all citizens.
• 😀 The Revolution also introduced a new administrative division of France, creating departments and communes to replace the old provinces.
• 😀 The introduction of universal suffrage meant that men who paid taxes could vote, and this led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy with a separation of powers.
• 😀 After the king's flight to Varennes and further uprisings, the monarchy was abolished, and on September 21, 1792, France became a Republic, officially ending the rule of Louis XVI.

Q & A

What were the three estates in the Ancien Régime of France?

The three estates in the Ancien Régime were the clergy (First Estate), the nobility (Second Estate), and the common people (Third Estate). The Third Estate was the largest and included peasants, city workers, and the bourgeoisie.

Why were the Estates General convened in 1789?

The Estates General were convened by King Louis XVI in 1789 due to financial difficulties caused by bad harvests and the state's near bankruptcy. The monarchy needed to raise new taxes but was reluctant to increase burdens on the privileged estates (clergy and nobility).

How was the representation in the Estates General structured?

Representation in the Estates General was not proportional to the population. Each estate had an equal number of representatives: 300 for the clergy, 300 for the nobility, and 600 for the Third Estate. This was seen as unfair since the Third Estate represented the majority of the population.

What significant event occurred on June 17, 1789?

On June 17, 1789, the Third Estate proclaimed itself the National Assembly, asserting its role as the true representative body of the French people. This decision marked the beginning of the breakdown of the traditional power structure.

What was the Tennis Court Oath and when did it occur?

The Tennis Court Oath occurred on June 20, 1789, when members of the National Assembly, locked out of their meeting hall, swore not to separate until they had written a new constitution for France. This oath symbolized their commitment to the Revolution.

What did the National Assembly's Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen establish?

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, adopted on August 26, 1789, affirmed the principles of individual liberty, equality before the law, and popular sovereignty. It marked a significant step toward the establishment of democratic principles in France.

How did the French Revolution affect the church's property?

The French Revolution led to the confiscation and sale of church property. The church's land and wealth were seen as vital resources to help alleviate the country's financial crisis and fund the revolution's initiatives.

What was the significance of the storming of the Bastille?

The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, was a symbolic act of rebellion against the monarchy. It marked the beginning of widespread unrest and is often considered the turning point in the French Revolution, representing the end of the ancien régime.

What political change did the Constitution of 1791 introduce?

The Constitution of 1791 introduced a constitutional monarchy, limiting the power of the king. It separated the executive, legislative, and judicial powers, and established a more representative government, with an elected legislative assembly.

What happened to Louis XVI after the revolution deepened in 1792?

After the revolution deepened in 1792 and widespread unrest occurred in Paris, Louis XVI was stripped of his executive powers. He was eventually arrested, tried for treason, and executed by guillotine on January 21, 1793.