I. A. (Crane Brinton) What political, social and economic factors led the French to Revolution in 1789? As we have seen, the OLD REGIME faced numerous problems… SOCIAL POLITICAL ECONOMIC SYSTEM OF UPPER CLASS PRIVILEGE 1ST / 2ND ESTATES HAD ALL THE PRIVILEGES AND NONE OF THE BURDEN THE RISE OF A MIDDLE CLASS – BOURGEOISIE HAD ECONOMIC POWER AND WANTED POLITICAL POWER TO MATCH IT (I, B – Crane Brinton) CROP FAILURES >> HUNGER / FAMINE FOR PEASANTS ENLIGHTENMENT IDEAS LOUIS XVI WAS A WEAK MONARCH (NOT INTERESTED IN RULE) HIS POLITICAL MARRIAGE TO MARIE ANTOINETTE ALIENATED HIM FURTHER FROM THE FRENCH THE BOURGEOISIE RESENTED HAVING NO POLITICAL POWER THE ESTATES GENERAL SYSTEM ALLOWED THE NOBLES AND CLERGY (3% POP.) TO OVERRIDE THE VOTE OF THE 3RD ESTATE (97% POP.) FRANCE WAS IN GREAT DEBT UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF THE WEALTH UNFAIR TAX SYSTEM PLACED TAX BURDEN ON THE LEAST ABLE TO PAY CROP FAILURES >> RISING FOOD PRICES FINANCE MINISTER’S (TURGOT) ATTEMPTED REFORMS FAILED DEFICIT SPENDING (TO AID AMERICAN REV.) / LOANS LED TO HIGHER INTEREST >> MORE DEBT >> CYCLE HIGH TAX ON LAND AND COMMERCE; CORVEE BORN BY 3RD ESTATE

III. A. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY’s reforms (1789 – 91) What they wanted (different groups had different needs) Reforms Who benefitted? An end to unfair privileges for nobles / clergy A fairer tax code / to end unfair taxes: taille, capitation, vingtieme, corvee A fairer court system: right to a fair trial; habeas corpus A gov’t. by Constitution A constitutional monarchy A republic Voting rights for men with property Voting rights for all men Voting rights for all An end to Church privilege Women, Free Blacks and Jews wanted citizenship & suffrage Slaves wanted freedom, citizenship & suffrage An end to the buying of offices Declaration of the Rights of Man & Citizen Constitution of 1791 Voting rights for men with property (who paid a min. of tax) (including Jews, but not women or blacks) Est. a limited monarchy w/ separation of powers – representative democracy (LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY) New Court system – Justice of the Peace; Civil Court and Criminal Court; judges elected; felony trials by jury; defendants had right to counsel; arbitration & mediation Laissez-faire policies (less gov’t. regulation of business) Nationalization of Church lands>> sold at auction Civil Constitution of the Clergy (bishops & priests chosen by electorate; paid salary by state) FAIRER TAX CODE >> BOURGEOISIE / FORMER NOBLES >> BOURGEOISIE /FORMER NOBLES >> ALL >> BOURGEOISIE/FORMER NOBLES >> BOURGEOISIE/FORMER NOBLES /LANDED PEASANTS >> CAUSED LOSS OF PEASANT SUPPORT