The French Revolution

What is a revolution?

Causes of the French Revolution Abuses of the old regime (What’s a regime?) Political (leave space to explain) Social Economic

Political Reasons The king was an absolute monarch The king picked people based on favoritism The king censored speech (controlled what the press could say) The king wouldn’t let the people have a voice in the government or make complaints

Social Reasons Social Classes: First Estate- clergy (church people) Second Estate- nobility Third Estate- the rest of the people Bourgeoisie (merchants, bankers, manufacturers, professionals) City workers Peasants 1st & 2nd Estates, 3% of population, were privileged Owned most of the land Taxed peasants Didn’t pay taxes Had best gov & military positions Got special treatment in terms of law 3rd estate- unprivileged class

Economic Reasons Long story short… The 3rd estate had to pay almost all of the taxes

Other Causes The French Bourgeoisie wanted laissez-faire French philosophers & Age of Enlightenment- encouraged people to seek natural rights, etc. Influence of English & American Revolutions Bad government

Exit Question What would you have done if you had lived in France?

Revolution Begins First of all, what is revolution? What about laissez faire? And bourgeoisie?