1. Aim: Describe the creation of the National Assembly and the storming of the Bastille

2. The National Assembly 1789 Estates General Meeting Assembly rules
Each estate’s delegates met in a separate hall to vote
The two privileged estates always outvoted Third Estate
Third Estate (Bourgeoisie) eager to make changes to government
Insisted that all 3 estates meet together
Give advantage to the Third Estate
King sided with the nobles
Third Estate became more determined to wield power
Third Estate delegates name themselves the National Assembly
Pass laws and reforms in name of French
6/17/1789: Voted to end absolute monarchy 2

3. Storming the Bastille
Some people suggested that Louis was intent on using military force to dismiss the National Assembly
July 14: mob searching for gunpowder and arms stormed the Bastille (Paris Prison)
Mob overwhelmed the guard and seized control of the building
Fall of the Bastille became a great symbolic act of revolution for the French
July 14, Bastille Day has been a French national holiday
Similar to Fourth of July in the United States 3

4. A Great Fear Sweeps France
Wild rumors circulated that the nobles were hiring outlaws to terrorize the peasants
Resulted in wave of senseless panic called the Great Fear
Peasants became outlaws
Peasants Broke into nobles’ manor houses and destroyed old legal papers that bound them to pay feudal dues
October 1789: Parisian women rioted over rising price of bread
Marched on Versailles palace
Demanded that the National Assembly take action to provide bread
Demanded that Louis and Marie Antoinette return to Paris
Louis agreed and exit signaled change of power and reforms 4