The Main Revolutionary Event Of 1789
The main revolutionary event of 1789
Answer the both sub- questions:
(a) Study sources B, C. Compare these sources as evidence for the unrest in French provinces in the summer of 1789
(b) Study all the sources. Use your own knowledge to assess how far the sources support the interpretation that the main motive for revolutionary activity in 1789 was economic.
Source A: A leading politician of the Third Estate responds to the instruction of Louis XVI for the representatives in the Estates General to disperse, and stresses their political responsibility.
Let us ask ourselves what purpose brought us from every part of France to the Estates General. We are the people’s envoys, let us stay and fulfil our mission with courage. We swore an oath to give the French people their rights. The authority of being the elected representatives of the people pushes us forward to demand a new constitution. Emmanuel Sieyès, speech, 23 June 1789
Source B: The local assembly of the Dauphiné region complains to the National Assembly about unrest.
The fear of bandits has spread everywhere. There is a general terror throughout the province.
News has come of the burning of the chateau of Vaux; the bandits went on to the chateau of Montferra. The chateau of Césagrès has been looted and stripped with the aid of carts; everything was taken right down to the hinges of the doors; the thieves took money and the local villagers were accomplices to the looting, mingling with the bandits. Troops from Lyon killed thirteen of the bandits and nineteen were taken prisoned. They will be executed for their disgraceful crimes. Letter from Estates of Dauphiné to the National Assembly, 31 July 1789
Source C: The Duke of d’Aiguillon was a liberal noble who was supporting a group of deputies from Britany in their attempt to end feudal rights. Here he is addressing the National Assembly:
In several provinces, the people in general have formed a kind of league to destroy chateaux, lay waste
Answer the both sub- questions:
(a) Study sources B, C. Compare these sources as evidence for the unrest in French provinces in the summer of 1789
(b) Study all the sources. Use your own knowledge to assess how far the sources support the interpretation that the main motive for revolutionary activity in 1789 was economic.
Source A: A leading politician of the Third Estate responds to the instruction of Louis XVI for the representatives in the Estates General to disperse, and stresses their political responsibility.
Let us ask ourselves what purpose brought us from every part of France to the Estates General. We are the people’s envoys, let us stay and fulfil our mission with courage. We swore an oath to give the French people their rights. The authority of being the elected representatives of the people pushes us forward to demand a new constitution. Emmanuel Sieyès, speech, 23 June 1789
Source B: The local assembly of the Dauphiné region complains to the National Assembly about unrest.
The fear of bandits has spread everywhere. There is a general terror throughout the province.
News has come of the burning of the chateau of Vaux; the bandits went on to the chateau of Montferra. The chateau of Césagrès has been looted and stripped with the aid of carts; everything was taken right down to the hinges of the doors; the thieves took money and the local villagers were accomplices to the looting, mingling with the bandits. Troops from Lyon killed thirteen of the bandits and nineteen were taken prisoned. They will be executed for their disgraceful crimes. Letter from Estates of Dauphiné to the National Assembly, 31 July 1789
Source C: The Duke of d’Aiguillon was a liberal noble who was supporting a group of deputies from Britany in their attempt to end feudal rights. Here he is addressing the National Assembly:
In several provinces, the people in general have formed a kind of league to destroy chateaux, lay waste