1. Revolution: developments in Versailles Flashcards
when was the opening of the Estates General?
5th May 1789
Cahiers:
list of grievances the three orders were asked to draw up to create reform
First Estate cahiers:
parish priests wanted greater salaries, Church control of education & less Protestantism
Second Estate cahiers:
conservatives & liberals divided over 3rd estate demands for tax reforms & constitution
Third Estate cahiers:
only landowners & some clergy/nobility - peasants excluded
what did all 3 estates want?
to limit powers of the King with an elected assembly which had power to raise taxes & pass laws
what was wrong with the Estates General?
Louis failed to put fowards a plan & no discussion of new constitution
result of the Estates General?
all estates meant to meet separately but third estate demanded that they meet together - a month of inaction
result of the inaction?
10th June third estate began verifying deputies credentials without other estates & some clergy joined
when die the third estate vote to call National Assembly?
17th June 1789
what did the National Assembly claim?
to represent the French nation & right to decide taxation = challenge to King (clergy joined them)
when was the Tennis Court Oath?
20th June 1789
why did the Tennis Court Oath happen?
Louis closed the meeting room of third estate without explanation - deputies were angry at this ‘despotic act’ and moved to tennis court
what was the Tennis Court Oath?
to not disband until they had made a French Constitution
what happened in the royal session following Tennis Court Oath
Louis offered tax concessions but declared National Assembly unacceptable & NA refused to move back to separate rooms as more clergy/nobility joined & finally Louis ordered the remaining deputies to join them
