Causes & Background Information The French Revolution Causes & Background Information

Enlightenment Ideas Scientists during the Renaissance had discovered laws that govern the natural world Philosophes apply natural laws to human beings Particularly to human institutions such as governments Philosophes were secular in thinking – they used reason and logic, rather than faith, religion, and superstition, to answer important questions Used reason and logic to determine how governments are formed Tried to figure out what logical, rational principles work to tie people to their governments Questioned the divine right of kings Popularity of Enlightenment ideas led many to seek social and political change, question The Old Regime Enlightenment and the American Revolution http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2oHmIFNW_A&feature=related 2:30 -4:15

American Revolution Showed Enlightenment ideas could be put into practice in forming a new government France helped out monetarily and sent soldiers leaving them both in debt and inspired Learned from American Revolutionaries by helping Influenced the French Revolution

Government corruption Rulers Louis XIV – The Sun King Louis XV – Apres me, le deluge Louis XVI – Marie Antoinette – Let them eat cake All leaders lived lavish and extravagant life styles Right of Divine Rule Outdated social system from the Middle Ages (feudalism)

Divine Rule Monarch ruled by divine right Other powers God put the world in motion God put some people in positions of power Power is given by God No one can question someone put in power by God Questioning the monarchy was blasphemy because it meant questioning God Other powers Imprisonment at any time for any reason Levied all taxes and decided how to spend money Made all laws Controlled military http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EvakM9Waus&feature=related 3:30 – 6:20 7:50 – 8:26 8:50 – 10:22

Louis XIV (1643-1715) The Sun King: the world revolved around him Built up France to be a powerful European nation Palace of Versailles Set standard for elegance and extravagance

Palace of Versailles http://en.chateauversailles.fr/the-palace-

Louis XV (1715-1774) All-powerful center of government Extravagant Lost Seven Years’ War against Britain Borrowed heavily from banks to keep government running “Apres moi, le deluge”

Louis XVI (1774-1793) Meant well but not a good leader Eventually lost power to make laws and the people voted for his execution Lived too extravagant Married to Marie Antoinette Eventual collapse of French economy and beginning of the revolution

Marie Antoinette Wasteful spender Marriage to Louis XVI was political move to ally France and Austria Resented by French “Madame Deficit” “Let them eat cake” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2oHmIFNW_A&feature=related 4:15 – 5:38

Economic Hardship War debts Borrowing money Raising taxes Deficit spending – a government is spending more money than it takes in from tax revenues Raising taxes Burden of taxes on the lower class Food shortages Economy based primarily on agriculture

Social Class System Outdated, feudal ages “The Old Regime” or L’Ancien Regime The Three Estates First Estate – Clergy Second Estate – Nobility Third Estate – Everyone else Bourgeoisie – middle class Discontent among the Three Estates Each wanted to improve own power and position

Long Term Causes - Review Absolutism – government with a single ruler Corrupt monarchs, overspending, lack of care for the people Enlightenment Ideas Children of the Enlightenment who believed that the government could be rationally formed, free country from tyranny American Revolution Economic struggles Droughts  Poor harvest  Little trade, little money Inflation, taxation The Old Regime Unjust and outdated socio-political system

This must be turned in at the end of class! Final Activity: 3-2-1 On a separate sheet of paper please complete the following: 3 – Things you learned today 2 – Things (people, events, etc) you want to learn more about or are interested in 1 – Question you have related to this topic This must be turned in at the end of class!