The Peasant Revolts of 1789

The Peasant Revolts of 1789 were a series of uprisings by French peasants and rural communities responding to widespread economic hardship, heavy taxation, and feudal oppression. They challenged the authority of the nobility and monarchy during the early stages of the French Revolution. Peasants demanded relief from burdensome taxes and tithes, often attacking manor houses and destroying documents that symbolized feudal obligations. These revolts highlighted the deep social inequalities and helped catalyze broader revolutionary change, ultimately contributing to the decline of the feudal system and the establishment of rights for common people.