Great Fear: Understanding the 1789 French Revolution

Historical Event

Date

July 22 - August 6, 1789

Location

France

French countryside

Result

Abolition of feudalism in France

Introduction

The Great Fear was a widespread panic that swept the French countryside from late July to early August 1789, during the early stages of the French Revolution. Triggered by rumors of aristocratic plots and foreign invasions, peasants armed themselves and attacked manor houses, fearing reprisals and famine conspiracies. This wave of rural unrest intensified social tensions and helped push the National Assembly to pass the August Decrees, which abolished feudal privileges in France. Although it lasted only about three weeks, the Great Fear was a significant catalyst for revolutionary change, marking the collapse of the old feudal order and empowering common people in the revolution.

Background and causes of the Great Fear

In the summer of 1789, rural France was gripped by a wave of panic fueled by several interconnected causes. Poor harvests beginning in 1788, worsened by severe weather and volcanic effects, led to food shortages and economic hardship for peasants. These conditions increased tensions alongside widespread unemployment and growing distrust of the nobility. Political unrest in Paris further destabilized communication and created rumors that aristocrats were hiring mercenaries to suppress revolutionary activities. Peasants feared violent reprisals and attacks on their property, which added to the atmosphere of fear. Some historians suggest that the consumption of ergot, a hallucinogenic fungus contaminating rye during poor harvests, may have intensified the panic. This combination of economic distress, political uncertainty, and rumor-triggered anxiety caused peasants to mobilize against feudal lords, marking the start of the Great Fear and setting a critical stage for revolutionary change in France.

What happened during the Great Fear

The Great Fear was a sudden wave of panic and unrest that spread quickly through the French countryside in the summer of 1789.

Spread of panic

The crisis began around July 22, 1789, as rumors circulated throughout rural France that nobles were plotting to harm peasants, burn crops, and destroy villages. This widespread anxiety caused peasants to arm themselves for protection. Stories about foreign armies or brigands attacking the countryside contributed to the growing alarm. Fear swept across many provinces, triggering similar reactions in towns and villages as people anticipated threats to their safety and livelihoods.

Peasant uprisings

In response to these fears, peasants mobilized and began attacking the estates and manor houses of the nobility. They destroyed feudal records, which were the proof of their obligations to lords, symbolically rejecting the feudal system. Revolts happened mostly between late July and early August; hotspots included regions like Strasbourg, Le Mans, and Alsace. These attacks were often violent, with peasants breaking into châteaus, looting, and burning parts of the properties.

Reaction and duration

The Great Fear lasted roughly two weeks, starting in late July and fading by early August 1789. During this period, rural communities experienced widespread unrest and disorder. The panic was not limited to the countryside but sparked fears all over France. The unrest occurred alongside other revolutionary developments, including significant political changes in Paris. The peasant revolts directly challenged the power of the nobility and the traditional order.

Impact on feudalism

The unrest compelled the National Assembly to act quickly. The widespread peasant uprisings and destruction of feudal property pressured lawmakers to abolish feudal privileges and manorial rights. This abolition was formalized in the August Decrees, which marked an official end to many feudal obligations, though this came just after the peak of the Great Fear. The Great Fear itself was a complex wave of panic, rebellion, and violent assertion of peasant rights that dramatically reshaped rural France during the early days of the French Revolution.

Outcomes of the Great Fear

The Great Fear had important outcomes that helped shape the French Revolution. It caused widespread panic among peasants, who believed they faced attacks from brigands and foreign forces. This fear led the National Assembly to act quickly, resulting in the August Decrees of August 4, 1789, which abolished feudal privileges, including serfdom and the nobility’s special rights. This was a major step toward ending feudalism in France.

The decrees also stopped the Church from collecting tithes, lessening its control. These changes helped to calm the countryside, ending the panic by early August. However, unrest and distrust remained. Many peasants who had revolted were arrested or punished in harsher regions. The Great Fear also deepened bitterness among nobles and clergy due to their lost privileges. Overall, the Great Fear accelerated important social changes during the Revolution.

Historical impact and legacy

The Great Fear had a significant historical impact by provoking the abolition of feudal privileges through the August Decrees of 1789, marking the end of feudalism in France and the Church's power to collect tithes. It strengthened communal defense systems, encouraging peasants and townspeople to organize militias and collectively resist aristocratic oppression. The event also deeply affected the nobility and clergy, increasing their disillusionment with the Revolution due to the loss of their privileges. Despite lasting only about three weeks, the Great Fear's legacy endured in the revolutionary changes it set in motion and the ongoing social tensions it revealed.