The Estates-General Flashcards
when was it?
May to June 1789 at the Palace of Versailles
what caused the third estate to hope for a break
When louis called for an election to the Estates General in 1788, the third estate hoped for a break
how did the people of france feel
Excitement and optimism gripped the people of France as they chose the representatives (often bourgeoisie), and the king’s popularity soared
what did the king order
He ordered that each community should develop a Book of Grievances that would be addressed by the Estates General
what did people ask for?
Overwhelmingly, the people demanded fairer tax system, end of tithes (10%), end of feudal dues, and some suggested the abolition of the second estate
what caused “the end” of absolute monarchy
By 1787, the king was taking advise from ministers to reform the ancien regime. It was obvious that the first and second estates must pay the increased taxes for the kingdom to service its loans, pay bills
who refused to pay taxes
The assemblies of clergy and aristocracy however, refused to pay taxes
what happened to the king when the upper estates refused to pay taxes
Every time the king failed to get the reforms he wanted, he lost prestige, and the third estate was angered by the likelihood that they would be paying the taxes
what made the king call an estates-general
After protest in 1788 (such as the day of roofing tiles), the king decided to force reform on the 1st and 2nd estate by calling an Estates General
what is an estates-general
in the Ancien Regime, the king of France could call it special meeting with the representatives from all these states to advise him. It had no law making power. The last estates general was called in 1614 at the Palace of Versailles
how many votes did each estate get
each state had one vote regardless of their population
