What were the August Decrees during the French Revolution?

The August Decrees were a set of 19 articles made by the National Constituent Assembly during the French Revolution that abolished feudalism and ended the privileges of the upper classes.

What did the August Decrees do?

The August Decrees ended the domination of the Third Estate by the clerical and noble classes, making all citizens equal before the law. This was a major step toward the ending of France's absolute monarchy.

What was the opening line of the August Decrees of 1789?

The August Decrees’ famous opening sentence is: “The National Assembly entirely destroys the feudal regime.”

August Decrees

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Definition

The decrees of 4 August 1789, also known as the August Decrees, were a set of 19 articles passed by the National Constituent Assembly during the French Revolution (1789-1799) which abolished feudalism in France and ended the tax exemption privileges of the upper classes. Although not without flaws, the passage of the decrees was a significant achievement of the Revolution.

More about: August Decrees

Timeline

14 Jul 1789
The Bastille in Paris is stormed.
c. 19 Jul 1789 - c. 6 Aug 1789
The Great Fear sweeps across the French countryside, as peasants attack the feudal estates of the nobility.
4 Aug 1789
The National Constituent Assembly discards their privileges, decides to abolish feudalism in France.
11 Aug 1789
In France, the August Decrees are passed.