Third Estate was inspired by the success of the American Revolution Began questioning the class system and social structure  inspired by Rousseau and Voltaire Now demanded liberty, equality, and democracy “People is the foundation of the State…It is in the People that all national power resides and for the People that all states exist.”

By 1780s: France’s economy was in a decline That especially alarmed the First Group of the Third Estate:__________ Heavy burden of taxes = near impossible to conduct business profitably (while pulling a profit) in France Cost of living rapidly increasing Bad weather = crop failures = grain shortage Price of bread doubled in 1789  led to starvation for many

1770s and 1780s: King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette’s extravagant spending sent the gov’t into debt Louis XVI also inherited debt from previous kings Borrowed a lot of $ in order to help American revolutionaries defeat Great Britain (France’s #1 enemy) Bankers stopped loaning $ to the gov’t = big problems

Louis XVI was a weak leader Very indecisive Paid no attention to his advisors Had no patience for the details of governing Queen Marie-Antoinette offered poor advice Member of the Austrian royal family (France’s enemy)  ppl of France didn’t like her Called “Madame Deficit” b/c she spend so much $$$ on gowns, jewels, gambling etc

Louis XVI put off the problem until he literally ran out of $ Resorted to taxing the Second Estate:_______ _______ Estate forced a meeting of the Estates-General – assembly of representatives from all 3 estates First meeting in 175 years of the Estates-General was held on May 5, 1789 at Versailles Typically, the first two Estates (Clergy and Nobles) would always out vote the Third since each Estate had one vote

The Third Estate delegates (mostly bourgeoisie) were eager for Enlightenment-inspired change in the gov’t Insisted that all Estates meet together and that each individual delegate have a vote This gives Third Estate more power b/c they had as much as the other two Estates combined The King sided w/the nobles and ordered each Estate only have one vote (medieval way)

The National Assembly After the King’s ruling, the Third Estate was more eager than ever Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyes – a clergyman who was sympathetic to the Third Estate’s cause Made a dramatic speech on their behalf Suggested Third Estate delegates name themselves the National Assembly and pass laws and reforms for the French people Approved overwhelmingly by Third Estate (June 17, 1789)

Significance of the vote: End of absolute monarchic rule over the people Establishment of representative government First deliberate act of the revolution 3 days later: Third Estate locked out of their meeting room ∴ they broke down door to an indoor tennis court There they made an oath to stay until they had drawn up a new constitution: Tennis Court Oath

Nobles and Clergy members who favored reform Estate quickly joined the Third Estate delegates In response: King Louis XVI called his army of Swiss Guard to surround Versailles

Rumors flew throughout Paris Some were sure that Louis would use military force to dismiss the National Assembly Others thought the foreign troops were coming to Paris to massacre French citizens ∴ ppl began to gather weapons for fear of an attack July 14, 1789: A mob searching for gunpowder and arms stormed the Bastille (a Paris prison) Seized control of the building and paraded the streets of Paris w/ the heads of the prison guards Symbol of the power of the people (similar for 7/4 in U.S.)

Rebellion spread from Paris out to the country Rumors that nobles were hiring outlaws to terrorize the peasants = Great Fear and panic Peasants armed themselves Broke into homes of nobles and destroyed legal papers that bound them to pay feudal dues Parisian women rioted at the high cost of bread  armed and dangerous they marched on Versailles Broke into the palace, killing the guards and demanded that the king and queen return to Paris When they finally agreed this signaled the change of power  reform was about to happen Versailles\ Versailles\ 3-8mins He felt forced to sign Declaration of the Rights of Man!