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The Revolution Begins Main Idea Reading Focus Problems in French society led to a revolution, the formation of a new government, and the end of the monarchy. Reading Focus What caused the French Revolution? What happened during the first events of the Revolution? How did the French create a new nation?

Causes of the Revolution Long-standing resentments against the monarchy Inequalities in society Existing social and political structure called the Old Order, or ancient régime King at the top and estates under him King Louis XVI, shy and indecisive Unpopular, self-indulgent queen, Marie-Antoinette Rest of French society divided into three classes, called estates

King Louis XVI & Queen Marie Antoinette Louie became King at 17, marries at 19. Marie was an Austrian Princess by birth and 18 at time of marriage.

French society was divided into 3 estates. The Three Estates French society was divided into 3 estates. Roman Catholic clergy One percent of the population Exempt from taxes Owned 10 percent of the land Collected rents and fees Bishops and other clergy grew wealthy First Estate Nobility Less than 2 percent of the population Paid few taxes Controlled much wealth Held key positions Government Military Lived in country palaces Second Estate Largest group—97% of the population Bourgeoisie—city-dwelling merchants, factory owners, and professionals Sans culottes—artisans and workers Peasants—poor with little hope, paid rents and fees Third Estate

The Three Estates This is an editorial from a French Newspaper of the day. Also see the primary source document on page 196 of the textbook. What do these cartoons suggest is the role of the third estate? How did life for each class (or estate) differ in France at the time?

Further Causes Enlightenment Ideas A Financial Crisis Inspiring new ideas from Enlightenment philosophers Great Britain’s government limiting the king’s power American colonists rebelled successfully against British king New ideas changed government and society in other countries Enlightenment Ideas Severe economic problems affected much of the country France in debt, spending lavishly, borrowing money, and facing bankruptcy Hailstorm and drought ruined harvest; harsh winter limited flour production People hungry and angry; clergy and nobility no help A Financial Crisis

What were the causes of the French Revolution? Summarize What were the causes of the French Revolution? Answer(s): inequalities in society, Enlightenment ideas, poor leadership, financial crisis, hunger and cold

First Events of the Revolution By 1789, no group happy Clergy and nobility lost power to monarchy Bourgeoisie resented regulations Poor worse off Estates General assembled Desire for reforms Voting process a problem Third Estate proclaimed themselves National Assembly Tennis Court Oath - Constitution Storming of the Bastille Bastille was an ancient prison King ordered troops to Paris People of Paris, fearing the King, armed themselves Searching for weapons, a mob stormed the Bastille (an armory) Panic and Great Fear swept across France

Tennis Court Oath In the 1st days of the Revolution, the 3rd estate is locked out of the Estates General and moves to a nearby Tennis Court in 1789

Storming of the Bastille

Peasants destroy a lords castle. Great Fear spread King to punish the Third Estate with foreign soldiers Rumors of massacres Peasants destroyed records and burned nobles’ houses Peasants destroy a lords castle.

Identify Cause and Effect What was the connection between the fall of the Bastille and the Great Fear? Answer(s): After the fall of the Bastille, the people all over France were terrified that the king would punish them.

National Assembly-Creating a New Nation 1791 Feudal dues eliminated “liberty, equality, fraternity” Inspired by the English Bill of Rights, American Declaration of Independence, and the writings of Enlightenment philosophers Men equal under the law The rights did not extend to women Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen Louis tried to protect his throne angering the common people 7000 women broke into the palace demanding bread Royal family was seized Church lands were taken over to pay off debt Clergy were turned into public employees Restricting Power and the Civil Const. of the Clergy

Formation of a New Government The Legislative Assembly Citizens gained broad voting rights Austria and Prussia warned against harming the French monarchs Austrian army defeats French Financial strain of war, food shortages, and high prices King blamed and the people demanded action Foreign Powers August 10, 1792 royal family imprisoned by mob Radical faction took charge with National Convention Monarchy abolished and France was declared a republic Military victory gave people hope End of Monarchy French Revolution had chaos, foreign pressures, and poverty American Revolution had prosperity and increased trade

Sequence What steps did National and Legislative Assemblies take to create a new nation? Answer(s): National Assembly completed constitution and created Legislative Assembly; Legislative Assembly—created a new legislature, the National Convention, which abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic