Causes of the French Revolution Kirchner

Economic Problems Many causes that led to the French Revolution Extreme debt-French wars against Great Britain and other countries Economic aid to America in the American Revolution (Lafayette and Baron von Steuben) Meeting was called to address economic problems (the Estates-General) Economic Problems

France’s Estates in the 18th century Population Land Ownership Taxation First: Clergy Less than 1% About 10% Second: Nobility Less than 2% About 25% Third: Commoners More than 97% About 65% More than 98% France’s Estates in the 18th century

The Revolution Begins Early days of the Revolution were exciting Lafayette wanted to establish a constitutional monarchy Storming of the Bastille-July 14 1789 (French Independence Day) Peasants rose up against nobles-burned manor houses King was forced to accept a new government with the National Assembly in charge

Permanent Changes in France Abolition of feudalism Adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man Civil Constitution of the Clergy-abolished special privileges of the Catholic church Church was now under state control Church opposed the Revolution Constitutional MonarchyFirst French Republic Permanent Changes in France

The Reign of Terror Louis XVI-first to die (executed by guillotine) 1793 Maximilien Robespierre- wanted to stop opposition by imposing the death penalty on opponents (Committee of Public Safety) Levee en masse-mass male conscription into military service

Conservative Reaction Moderates regained control of the French government Robespierre was beheaded which ended the Reign of the Terror Nationalism increased in France