Examine the political cartoon on the left from 1789 celebrating the removal of the privileges for the first and second Estates. Working in pairs, discuss and answer the following questions:
1. Who are the three people depicted in the image? Give reasons for your answer.
2. What do you think the artist is saying in this image?
3. Examine Source B on page 228 and compare it with this source. What are the differences between the two?
4. What do the two people on the left of the picture have in their hats and what is the significance of that?
5. What is written on the paper in the scales on the right of the image? Why is it important?
6. Looking at both pictures, do you think the artist supports the revolution or not? Give reasons for your answer.
Outbreak of war against Austria
While some in France thought the revolutionary soldiers would quickly win the war, their lack of experienced leadership and poor equipment meant that instead they suffered huge losses. Very quickly the war turned into a disaster as the Austrians, aided by the Prussians, closed in on Paris.
As French hopes of winning the war deteriorated, there was increasing anger towards King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, both of whom, it was suspected, were hoping for an Austrian victory. People also feared that the French nobles would take action. Many of these nobles opposed the revolution as it had taken away their land and property. Some had already fled the country and were known as émigrés.