Revolution Threatens the French King

Pre-Revolution France Most advanced country in Europe Center of the Enlightenment Culture emulated by the rest of the world Great unrest caused by: High Prices High taxes Questions raised by Enlightenment ideas of Rousseau and Voltaire

The Old Regime Three Estates (social classes) 1st Estate: 2nd Estate: Clergy Owned 10% of the land Contributed just 2% of income to the government 2nd Estate: Rich nobles (land owners) Owned 20% of the land Paid no taxes

The Old Regime Third Estate 98% of the people Divided into three groups Bourgeoisie: Merchants and artisans Workers: Poorer, low wages, often hungry Peasants: 80% of the people; Bound to the land The Third Estate heavily taxed and discontented (unhappy)

Forces of Change New ideas about the power of the people take hold. Poor harvests, heavy taxes, and government debt caused instability. Louis XVI tried to tax the nobles; Nobles forced him to call a meeting of the Estates-General in order to approve tax reform

Revolution Dawns Third Estate delegates in the Estates-General demand more rights Third Estate delegates vote to establish the National Assembly; They take the Tennis Court Oath

Revolution Dawns Peasants overthrow the Bastille on July 14, 1789 and the revolution begins in earnest

Great Fear Sweeps France A senseless panic called the Great Fear leads to great destruction in the countryside Women angered by the price of bread march on Versailles and compel the king and queen to move to Paris