France on the Eve of Revolution Chapter 3 Section 1
I. Trouble starts: Louis XIV (14th): Reigned 1643-1715 Believed he was the “sun king” (“I am the state.) Built the Palace of Versailles in honor of himself
Versailles
Versailles
Versailles
II. France in 1789 Still used a medieval social system called The Three Estates. (feudalism). Estate: social class First Estate Clergy Second Estate Nobility Bourgeoisie Peasants Third Estate ------------------------
The Three Estates: 1st: Clergy- very rich; paid no taxes 2nd: Nobility- included king; top gov’t jobs; paid no taxes 3rd: Very diverse Bourgeoisie- middle class. Usually educated, fairly wealthy. Doctors, lawyers, professors, merchants… Rural peasants- farmers Urban workers- city workers. Poorest members of society- included criminals, beggars.
Financial Trouble National debt due to deficit spending: government spends more money than it takes in. Wars Luxuries for royal court Irresponsible spending Led to an increase in the price of bread.
The King and Queen Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
The King and Queen Louis XVI: Marie Antoinette: Reigned 1774-1792 Weak, ineffective Wanted to be a locksmith Marie Antoinette: Originally from Austria Most hated woman in France
III. Louis XVI calls the “Estates-General” Estates-General: a legislative body representing all 3 estates 3rd estate had most reps. Hadn’t met in 175 years. Each estate got one vote, so the 1st and 2nd estates always outvoted the 3rd.
The Estates-General 3rd estate demanded votes be counted “per head”, and were denied. 3rd estate walked out of the meeting. At a nearby tennis court, they took the Tennis Court Oath- to stay united and work for a fair constitution.
IV. The Bastille Rumors of the king plotting against the Third Estate led to tension. July 14, 1789: Crowd of Parisians stormed the Bastille: an old prison and fortress used to store weapons. Crowd killed the guards, tore apart the building, took the weapons, and marched toward Versailles. France’s independence day.
Storming of the Bastille