Social Grievances on the Eve of the Revolution (1789)
During the elections to the Estates General, communities drew up "notebooks of grievances" to be presented to the government. The following comes from a rural community, Lignere la Doucelle.
Or a long time now, the inhabitants have been crushed beneath the excessive burden of the multiplicity of taxes that they have been obliged to pay. Their parish is large and spread out, but it is a hard land with many uncultivated areas, almost all of it divided into small parcels. There is not one single farm of appreciable size, and these small properties are occupied either by the poor or by people who are doing so poorly that they go without bread every other day. They buy bread or grain nine months of the year. No industries operate in this parish, and from the time they began complaining, no one has ever listened. The cry of anguish echoed all to the way to the ministry after having fruitlessly worn out their intendants. They have always seen their legitimate claims being continuously denied, so may the fortunate moment of equality revive them.
That all lords, country gentlemen, and others of the privileged class who, either directly or through their proxies, desire to make a profit on their wealth, regardless of the nature of that wealth, pay the same taxes as the common people.
That the seigneur's mills not be obligatory, allowing everyone to choose where he would like to mill his grain.
That the children of common people living on a par with nobles be admitted for military service, as the nobility is.
That the king not bestow noble titles upon someone and their family line, but that titles be bestowed only upon those deserving it.
That nobility not be available for purchase or by any fashion other than by the bearing of arms or other service rendered to the State.
That church members be only able to take advantage of one position. That those who are enjoying more than one be made to choose within a fixed time period.
That future abbeys all be placed into the hands of the king, that His Majesty benefit from their revenue as the head abbots have been able to.
That in towns where there are several convents belonging to the same order, there be only one, and the goods and revenue of those that are to be abolished go to the profit of the crown.
That the convents where there are not normally twelve residents be abolished.
That no tenth of black wheat be paid to parish priests, priors or other beneficiaries, since this grain is only used to prepare the soil for the sowing of rye.
That they also not be paid any tenths of hemp, wool, or lamb. That in the countryside they be required to conduct burials and funerals free of charge. That the ten sous for audit books, insinuations, and the 100 [sous] collected for the parish be abolished.
That grain be taxed in the realm at a fixed price, or rather that its exportation abroad be forbidden except in the case where it would be sold at a low price.
Source: Armand Bellee, ed., Cahiers de plaintes & doleances des paroisses de la province du Maine pour les Etats-generaux de 1789, vol. 2 (Le Mans: 18811892), pp. 578-582.
Questions for Analysis
1. Do these grievances reflect the interests of only one social group, or can one hear demands being made from different groups within this rural community?
2. What do you think were the main problems faced by this community?
3. How did the revolutionaries receive these grievances?
World History
