I. Causes of the French Revolution Why did the people of France demand a new system of government?

The Estates System First Estate-Clergy Second Estate-Nobles Third Estate-Everybody Else First and second estate controlled more land than their percentage of population In the Estates General, each estate had one vote -First and second always voted together against 3rd Members of third estate were treated differently

Enlightenment New ideas about government and protection of rights (Lock, Rousseau, Montesquieu) New ideas about the role of the Church (Voltaire) New ideas about the power of monarchs (Enlightened Absolutism) New ideas about people’s rights. (Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights)

American Revolution Ideas on government (Declaration of Independence, Constitution) Reinforced Locke’s idea that government could be changed Many French soldiers fight in the war -Marquis de Lafayette Jefferson and Franklin travel to France

Economic Conditions France was in a major depression Price of bread (main food of poor) doubled France could not pay National Debt France deficit spent Could not pay many government officials French monarchy holds elaborate balls and functions Queen Antoinette buys millions a year in clothes

A view of French Economics By 1789, 80% of average poor person’s budget went to food To survive, a French peasant needed to make 170% of their actual income The king overspent his budget by 60% 75% of the French national budget went to pay off loans and debts Corruption in the government cost billions

Tennis Court Oath Members of the third estate met at a tennis court and vowed to form a new constitution Many became leaders of the revolution The National Assembly was formed

Storming of the Bastille French peasants and middle class attack the Bastille 18 people died Why? -King may be trying to overthrow the National Assembly -Food shortages within Paris -Free their brothers and sisters imprisoned “unjustly”