Crisis in France in 1789
—This would set
precedent that would transform
all of Europe
—Causes
—Ideological factors – Enlightenment pressure – limit Church/aristocracy
—Social changes – merchant class wanted more power
—Peasants pressed by population issues – want freedom from aristocracy
—Catalyst – economic problems by French gov’t -
series of wars/Versailles
—Louis XVI – calls Estates
General
—Supposed to be three estates – but turns into National Assembly
—King gives this legitimacy after riots, women marching, and chaos
