Write a note on the outbreak …

The Outbreak of the Revolution In France, the monarch didn’t have the power to impose taxes. They had to call a meeting of the Estates-General, a political body to which the three estates sent their representatives, to pass proposals for new taxes. Louis XVI, on 5 May 1789, called an assembly to pass proposals for new taxes. Representatives from the first and second estates were present and the third estate was represented by its prosperous and educated members. According to the principle each estate had one vote. But, representatives from the third estate demanded each member would have one vote. The demand was rejected so members of the third estate walked out to protest. They swore not to disperse till a constitution drafted for France that would limit the powers of the monarch. Due to the severe winter, bread price rose and people had to spend hours in long queues. Rumours spread that the lords of the manor hired bands of brigands to destroy the ripe crops. In fear, peasants started looting hoarded grain and burnt down documents containing records of manorial dues. Nobles fled from their homes. Louis XVI accorded recognition to the National Assembly and accepted the principle that his powers would from now on be checked by a constitution. The Assembly passed a decree abolishing the feudal system of obligations and taxes on 4 August 1789. Tithes were abolished and lands owned by the Church were confiscated.

n order to pass the proposal to raise taxes Louis XVI called an assembly of the Estates General. On 5 May 1789, 300 representatives from each of the first and second estate and 600 from the third estate, a total 1200 representatives, gathered in a splendid hall for the assembly. Representatives of first and second estates were seated in two rows while representatives of third estate had to stand at the back. Representatives of third estate were educated and more prosperous and they believed to represent the whole people of France. Peasants and labours were not allowed in that assembly; however about 40000 letters regarding their grievances were carried by representatives of third estate.

According to principle of the monarch each estate had one vote. Louis XVI wanted to apply the same practice this time also. But representatives of third estate did not agree on this, they wanted voting assembly as a whole and wanted each of the representatives to have only one vote. Louis XVI rejected this new proposal. As a result, all the representatives of the third estate walked out of the assembly in protest.