Beginning of the Revolution

The States-General met at the royal palace of Versailles, outside Paris, on May 5, 1789. It was composed of three groups: the clergy, the nobility, and the “third estate,” or common people. By tradition each group cast one vote.

Although everyone agreed that the country's financial system must be reorganized, the third estate hoped for other reforms as well. It suggested that each deputy have a vote, knowing that it would have a majority. Marie Antoinette insisted that the king oppose this suggestion. The third estate withdrew to a tennis court and took an oath not to disband until a constitution had been written and accepted. It named itself the National Assembly.

Many low-ranking clergymen, who also felt the need for reform, joined the group. Some nobles also were won over to it. Support grew, and Louis was forced to recognize the group as the successor to the States-General. At the same time, he ordered troops moved to the vicinity of Paris. The people of Paris thought the king would use the troops against the assembly, destroying their chance for a voice in government. They started to riot, seized a supply of arms, and on July 14, 1789, stormed and destroyed the Bastille, the prison stronghold looked upon as a symbol of political oppression.

Encouraged by this successful show of popular power, revolutionaries in Paris formed a new city government called the Commune. Louis XVI acknowledged the power of the people, visiting the city's new mayor and reinstating a popular minister he had dismissed.

The revolution spread quickly throughout France and aristocrats began fleeing. In the National Assembly representatives of the nobility and clergy were both frightened by the uprisings and inspired by the democratic spirit of the people. On August 4 they gave up all their inherited privileges. “Liberté, égalité, fraternité” (Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood) became the rallying cry of the revolution. The old political and social order (ancien régime) disappeared completely in less than two months.