The Origins of the French Revolution TOPIC The Origins of the French Revolution

Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to: Explain the lifestyle and privileges experienced by the First and Second Estates. Outline the inequalities experienced by the Third Estate. Compose a letter, song, rap or poem to be delivered to King Louis XVI expressing the dissatisfaction and inequalities experienced by the peasants.

A Diary Entry of an Englishman on a Peasant’s Life (1787-1789) 12 July, 1789 Walking up a long hill, to ease my mare, I was joined by a poor woman who complained of the times and what a sad country; demanding her reasons, she said her husband had but a morsel of land, one cow, and a poor little horse, yet they had a franchar (about 20 kg) of wheat and three chickens to pay… to the seigneur and four franchar of oats, one chicken, and 1 sou to pay to another, besides very heavy tallies and other taxes.

A Diary Entry of an Englishman on a Peasant’s Life (1787-1789) (cont’d) She had seven children, and the cow’s milk helped make the soup… It was said, at present, that something was to be done by some great folks for such poor ones, but she did not know who nor how, but God send us better, for we are being crushed by the tailles and dues. This woman, at no great distance might have been taken for sixty or seventy, her figure was so bent and her face so furrowed and hardened by labour- but she said she was only twenty-eight.

King Louis XVI 1754-1793

Who Was King Louis XVI? He was an absolute monarch. He lacked fiscal responsibility. How? He borrowed heavily. He engaged in many wars. He failed to impose taxes on the First and Second Estates. He allowed his wife Marie Antoinette to engage in nepotism. He allowed his wife to spend lavishly during the country’s financial crisis.

Financial State of France Under King Louis XVI

The First Estate (The Clergy) (1)Upper and Lower Clergy (2) Abbots and Bishops lived in luxury (3)Owned 10% of the land (4)Controlled hospitals and schools (5)Collected tithes (10%)

The first estate (cont’d) The Lower Clergy Poor Worked in the parish Resented the Upper Clergy

Nobility of the Robe (bought their title) The second estate The Second Estate was also a privileged estate. Nobility of the Sword (Rights by lineage) Nobility of the Robe (bought their title)

Characteristics of the Nobility Held the highest positions in the church, army and the government. Owned approximately 40% of the land. Imposed hefty taxes on the peasants. They were exempted from taxes.

The Third Estate The Third Estate was divided into two main groups. They were: The Bourgeoisie Peasants

The Bourgeoisie Formed the Middle Class in France. Educated, wealthy but possessed little political influence. They owned approximately 20% of the land. They wanted a change in governance.

The Peasants They were burdened by heavy taxation. The peasants made up the majority of the population. They were burdened by heavy taxation.

-Taille The Peasants Direct Taxes - -gabelle tax -Poll tax Indirect Taxes -gabelle tax Feudal dues (for use of flour mills and ovens, ) Tax for use of roads and bridges.

Group Activities Students will engage in the following activities. 1.Get into groups of 6. 2. Write a letter or compose a song, rap or poem that expresses the dissatisfaction/inequalities of a peasant. 3. Present their letters or compositions to the class.