Introduction: Building a National Assembly

Summary

The French Revolution (1789–99) marked the beginning of modern politics. For the first time, a major European state moved from traditional monarchical rule to a more democratic, participatory political system, creating its own institutions as it went. The French Revolution erupted from a stalemate that had developed between the French Crown and traditional political and social elites over how to reform the way in which the state financed itself. The old system could not keep up with the demands placed on it by generations of war. It was hamstrung by the woefully unfair imposition and inefficient collection of taxes. By the time Louis XVI (r. 1774–92) asked his subjects for assistance and advice in the winter of 1787, the system was already under considerable strain. But the French elites refused to accept the plan proposed by their king without being granted a large and permanent role in the kingdom’s political system. The king would not give it to them.