Great Fear
|
|
The Great Fear occurred in July and August of 1789 in France at the start of the French Revolution. Rumors spread among the peasantry that nobles had hired brigands to march on villages and destroy the peasants' new harvest. In response, peasants sacked the castles of the nobles and burned documentation recording feudal obligations. This event led to the abolition of serfdom and feudal obligations, and brought up the need for a new class structure. Even during months of July and August many communities took legal action against their feudal lords which forced them to submit their feudal titles for judicial review, and refused to pay their dues during the trial.