Question

What landmark decisions were taken by the National Assembly led by the third estate on 4th August, 1789?

Answer 1

(i) On the night of 4th August, 1789, the assembly passed a decree abolishing the feudal system of obligations and taxes. Members of the clergy were forced to give up their privileges.
(ii) Tithe, a tax levied by the Church, comprising one-tenth of the agricultural produce, was abolished and lands owned by the Church were also confiscated. As a direct consequence of these measures taken by the government, the government acquired assets worth at least 2 billion livres.
(iii) France now became a Constitutional monarchy. Powers instead of being concentrated in the hands of one person were now separated and assigned to three different institutions, the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary. This made France a constitutional monarchy.