Fall of the Bastille and the end of the absolutist regime
The Bastille is a Parisian fortress that was used as a state prison in France during the 17th and 18th centuries He held mainly political prisoners contesting the absolute power of the king. The French celebrate the storming of the Bastille, which took place on July 14, 1789, as a landmark of the French Revolution , which led to the end of the absolutist regime.
Between centuries 15:18, the absolutism was the political and social system which prevailed in most of Europe. Also known as Old Regime, it was the centralization of political power in the hands of the monarch. All spheres of national life, the collection of taxes to the declaration of war, depended on the king's unilateral decisions. Besides him, only the nobility, which owns land, enjoyed some power and social prestige. The system has generated many protests from other classes, especially the bourgeoisie.
The Bourgeoisie
The bourgeois enriched through activities such as trade and industry. Although they were accumulating growing economic power, they had no political power, because of absolutism.Over time, the arbitrariness of the king and the dissatisfaction caused the outbreak of protests.
During the second half of the 18th century, France has gone through several crises. It was a country in debt, among other reasons, because of the defeat to England in the Seven Years War (1756-1763) and the consequent loss of colonies and markets. The situation led the king to raise taxes, forcing even more popular dissatisfaction. At the end of the 1780s, the country had poor crops and faced harsh winters, which increased the price of food products. The people feared hunger and manipulated by the bourgeoisie, began to participate in the protests for greater political participation.
Type the text here in May 1788, the king summoned the States-General to try to solve the crisis. The States-General represetavam segments of French society. The first state was composed of the nobility, the second by the clergy, and the third by the people, made by the bourgeoisie, for urban workers and farmers. The vote was made by the state, which facilitated things for the nobility. Allying the clergy (a historically conservative institution), it could make 2 × 1 and prevent the changes proposed by the third State were adopted.
The revolution
The people and the bourgeoisie demanded that the vote was no longer by the state, but the head, which was denied by the king. Riots broke out across the country. Food products began to miss. The third State has ceased to participate in the States-General and became a National Constituent Assembly. The Louis 16 King relented and agreed to have their powers limited by a constitution. But in 1789 the political persecution, the worsening economic crisis and the concentration of troops in Paris caused the population the "Great Fear" state.Everyone feared that absolutism back.
It was a step for popular mobilization that on July 14, 1789, took the Bastille, where political prisoners were held. It was the Revolution itself. The Bastille, were only seven prisoners, but it was seen as a symbol of despotism and where, it was believed, weapons and ammunition were stored. It was attacked by crowds, including mutinous French Guards.The commander, De Launay, surrendered. But he and his men were killed and the fort demolished.
Riots and looting against the Clergy and the Nobility shook the country. Fearing for their lives, the nobles abolished feudal rights, alleviating the situation of the peasants (who paid heavy taxes). In August, it launched the Declaration of Human and Citizen Rights.There was only the participation of workers and peasants in political power. But, although it has been benefited by their revolt, the bourgeoisie was not willing to share political power.
still suffering hardship, and not seeing their demands met, the poorest sections of the population radicalized the Revolution, at the stage of the Convention and the Terror. But that's another story.
Please Share
Category: General history
0 komentar