What was the Great Fear? How did peasant actions reflect the system of estates under which they had lived?

The Great Fear, dating from July 20, 1789 to August 6, 1789, was a time of dread after a massive wave of peasants began to riot. The cause of this event was because of the many economic concerns in France, and of course, rumors. What were the rumors, you may ask? Bandits. These bandits were raiding villages and stealing grain. Due to these rumors, the peasants began to arm themselves in order to defend their property. Though, some took it too far and resulted to violence, becoming the robbers who they once feared.