The Struggle to Survive
The section begins with the alarming events of July 14, 1789, in Paris where citizens feared for their safety as troops were mobilized by King Louis XVI. In response, approximately 7,000 men and women gathered to form a people’s militia, leading to the storming of the Bastille in search of arms and ammunition. The Bastille was a symbol of the king's despotic power, and its destruction led to widespread rioting. A major cause for unrest was the rising price of bread, which exacerbated the already difficult economic situation faced by the populace.
During the late 18th century, France was mired in a financial crisis rooted in years of costly wars and extravagant spending by the monarchy. The Old Regime comprised three estates: the clergy, nobility, and the third estate, which bore the financial burden of taxation while the first two enjoyed numerous privileges, including exemption from taxes. With about 90% of the population in the third estate, they faced increasing hardship as food prices soared, leading to subsistence crises due to poor harvests.
Despite their struggles, it wasn't the poor and destitute who instigated revolutionary change but rather members of the prosperous middle class among the third estate, who began to envision a more equitable society. Influenced by Enlightenment thinkers, they propagated the idea that social status should be based on merit rather than birth. This ideological shift laid the groundwork for the subsequent revolutionary movements, ultimately leading to a complete overhaul of the French political order.