THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

Learning Objectives Describe the social division of France’s old order Trace the causes of the French Revolution Describe outcome of the French Revolution Explain the impact of Napoleon.

Social Division of France Ancien Regime – Three social classes, also called estates. 1) First Estate – Mostly Clergy, very powerful 2) Second Estate - nobility 3) Third Estate – bourgeoisie (middle class) & peasants

Social Division of France Third Estate (who do they include) were upset at the First and Second Estate due to certain privileges (no taxes). Ancien Regime

Social Unrest Economic Troubles - Deficit Spending left France deeply in debt - 1780s years of bad harvests sent food prices soaring - Wealthy and powerful demanded King to do something

King Louis XVI Ineffectual and did little to reform the economy May 5th, 1789 King Louis XVI calls an Estates-General meeting, this has not been done in over 175 years

Estates General Meeting During the Estates-General meeting the Third Estate called for drastic reforms based off of Enlightenment ideas!! June 1789 Third Estate declared themselves the National Assembly, fearing retaliation the delegates made the “Tennis Court Oath” Swore “never to separate and to meet wherever the circumstances might require until we have established a sound and just constitution.” July 14, 1789 – stormed the Bastille and started the French Revolution

Results National Assembly - Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen (all male citizens were equal before the law). - Constitution of 1789 (limited monarchy, separation of church and state, enlightenment ideals)