Knowledge Connections Vocabulary Estates Term Definition Knowledge Connections Picture
What were the causes of the French Revolution? Essential Question What were the causes of the French Revolution?
The French people had many reasons to revolt Why were the French people upset? The French people had many reasons to revolt Unfair social divisions Unequal tax burdens Government debt Financial crisis
Everybody in France belonged to one of the three ESTATES How were social divisions unfair? Cause #1: Unfair Social Divisions Everybody in France belonged to one of the three ESTATES Social classes First Estate Second Estate Third Estate Clergy Nobles Everyone else .5% of the population 1.5% of the population 98% of the population
How was taxation unequal? Cause #2: Unequal Tax Burdens Taxes Paid First Estate: 0% Second Estate: 0% Third Estate: 100% The Third Estate had no voice in government, however it paid all of the nations taxes
Why was the government in debt? Cause #3: Government Debts The French monarchy was in debt for a number of reasons: Royal spending on luxuries Costly wars (French and Indian War, American Revolution) First and Second Estates refusal to pay taxes
What had caused a financial crisis? Cause #4: Financial Crisis The growing French population increased the demand for goods Prices and the cost of living rose were on the rise as well
How did King Louis XVI respond? In May 1789, King Louis XVI call a meeting of the ESTATES-GENERAL A lawmaking made up of representatives from all three estates Each estate had 1 vote a piece – meaning the First and Second Estate could always outvote the Third Estate
What did the Third Estate want? The Third Estate wanted more votes since they represented 98% of the population The King refused
They began working on a new constitution…. What was the plan of the Third Estate? The Third Estate declared itself the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY and intended to create a new government… They began working on a new constitution…. revolution would soon begin…
What were the causes of the French Revolution? Essential Question What were the causes of the French Revolution?
French Revolution