The French Revolution Begins CHAPTER 18 SECTION

Background to the Revolution  France’s 3 estates represented France’s population, although the population was not equally divided amongst the 3 estates.  1 st Estate – Clergy (priests and others associated with the catholic church) 0.5% of the Population  2 nd Estate – Nobility (held positions in government, military & courts) 1.5% of the population  3 rd Estate – made up of mostly peasants (were heavily taxed by the nobility) 98% of the population

France’s 3 Estates  The Bourgeoisie or middle class of the 3 rd estate were beter educated than most in the 3 rd estate. Some members included in the bourgeoisie include merchants, bankers, doctors, writers & industrialists among others.  The Bourgeoisie was increasingly angry with the taxes they had to pay the nobles. Motivated by enlightenment ideals, they sought to remove the monarch, King Louis XVI.

Financial Crisis  The fact that the French economy was suffering due to consecutive poor harvest coupled with debt incurred during various wars led to more dissatisfaction among the French population. The nobility which was better situated than the 3 rd estates joins in on the call for change also.  King Louis XVI calls on an older tradition of calling a meeting of the estates generals, who represented and the solution to the increasing financial struggles was to raise debts.

From Estates General to National Assembly  A meeting held in Versailles, King Louis XVI’s palace brought together members from all 3 estates with the 3 rd estates having the largest representation with almost 600 in attendance.  During this meeting the 3 rd estate urged that the 1 st & 2 nd estate should pay taxes as well.  The 3 rd estate wanted changes to the voting system which had been in place. In the old system each estate had 1 vote, what usually happened was that the 1 st & 2 nd estate would vote together always defeating the 3 rd estate 2 to 1.  The new proposed voting system would give the 3 rd estate with 98% of the population. King Louis XVI opposed this new system.

From Estates General to National Assembly  On June 17,1789 the 3 rd estate gathered and declared themselves to be the new national Assembly. They also declared that they would draft a constitution. The following day when members of the 3 rd estates show up to their meeting place they found the doors locked under the orders of King Louis XVI.  The new members moved to a near by tennis court and swore an oath known as the Tennis Court Oath which said that they would continue to meet until a constitution was ratified.  On July 14, 1789 King Louis ordered that his troops break up a gathering of 900 Parisians. Knowing that the Kings troops were coming, the protesters destroyed the near by building known as Bastille.

Versailles

End of the Old Regime  On August 26, 1789 the National Assembly abolished all privileges of the nobles & the clergy. They also adopted the declaration of the rights of Man & Citizen. This document was inspired by the English Bill of rights and the American declaration of Independence as well as the American Constitution.  Many Enlightenment principles would be applied to this document. It clear pushes for liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression.  The inclusion of women in this new republic was still a question. Many did not want women to participate in these dealings. Olympe de gouges, a women would advocate for female participation.

End of the Old Regime  After initially refusing to accept the decrees of the National Assembly, King Louis XVI finally conceded and returned to Paris with his wife and their children. Hopeful to make a good impression, they brought a wagon full of flour to try and feed some of the hungry people.  Changes to Catholicism and the role that it played changed greatly as well. No longer was the clergy of the church chosen by the Pope, now they would be elected by the people. This angered many Catholics who were initially on board with the revolution.

Guillotine

End of the Old Regime  The French revolution had a great impact outside of France in Europe. The monarchs of Austria & Prussia threatened to use military force to restore King Louis XVI to the throne, fearful that revolution might spread to their kingdoms. The French Assembly however declared war on these kingdoms first.  After losing the initial battles, the revolution took on a more violent & radical. They took the king prisoner and also suspended the rule of the monarchy.  Many members of the new commune cam e to be known as sans- culottes meaning “without breeches” because they wore long trouser instead of knee high breeches.