The Three Estates in Pre-Revolutionary France THE FRENCH REVOLUTION The Three Estates in Pre-Revolutionary France The French Aristocracy were among the wealthiest individuals in all of Europe. They controlled vast tracts of land, huge amounts of money, and had power that was unchecked…

The Three Estates in Pre-Revolutionary France THE FRENCH REVOLUTION The Three Estates in Pre-Revolutionary France 1st Estate (Priests and Religious leaders) While these individuals made up only 1% of the total population, they controlled almost 10% of the land in France. This land brought them a great deal of wealth from the products produced on it, and in the form of rent from peasants.

The Three Estates in Pre-Revolutionary France THE FRENCH REVOLUTION The Three Estates in Pre-Revolutionary France 2nd Estate (Nobility by birth rite) The second estate consisted of about 2% of the total population, and owned about 25% of the total land in France. These nobles collected dues and rent from the peasants who lived on their lands. This endless source of income allowed them to live a lavish lifestyle.

The Three Estates in Pre-Revolutionary France THE FRENCH REVOLUTION The Three Estates in Pre-Revolutionary France The poor in France were suffering greatly. They had been forced to work on the estates of the wealthy, with very little pay, and in terrible conditions. They were starving, sick, dirty, tired, and growing more resentful with each passing year.

The Three Estates in Pre-Revolutionary France THE FRENCH REVOLUTION The Three Estates in Pre-Revolutionary France 3rd Estate (Everyone else in France) Members of this estate had few rights, and little political power. Life was difficult, and it was nearly impossible for them to get ahead. Required to pay a 10% tithing to the Church, dues to their feudal lord, and a land tax to the king. This left them with little to support their families.

The Suggested Voting Pattern: Voting by Estates Clergy 1st Estate 1 Aristocracy 2nd Estate 1 1 Commoners 3rd Estate

The Number of Representatives in the Estates General: Vote by Head! Clergy 1st Estate 300 Aristocracy 2nd Estate 300 648 Commoners 3rd Estate

Representation in Estates General THE FRENCH REVOLUTION Representation in Estates General The Estates-General was a body of people representing each of the three social estates in France. The E.G. wanted to use the meeting to take power from the King, and address the social ills that they felt were plaguing them.

Representation in Estates General THE FRENCH REVOLUTION Representation in Estates General Members of the E.G. representing the 3rd estate outnumbered representatives from both the first and second estates combined. If each representative were to be given one vote, the 3rd estate would have more votes, and would be able to get their will passed. In order to insure this did not happen King Louis XVI locked representatives of the 3rd estate out of the meetings.

Representation in Estates General THE FRENCH REVOLUTION Representation in Estates General Outraged, they met at a nearby indoor tennis court, where they gave themselves the name of The National Assembly. Here representatives took an oath that they would not leave until they had written a new constitution for France…

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION Sequence of Events 1789 June – Louis XVI orders members of 1st/2nd Estates into the National Assembly; debates ensue… 7/14 – Fearing King, rioters raid Prison of Bastille Radical government is established… July – “Great Fear” – peasant uprisings vs. Feudal Lords 8/4 – N.A. passes financial reforms (taxes on 1st & 2nd est.) 8/26 – N.A. writes the Declaration of Rights of Man 10/6 – Louis XVI forced to move to Paris; recognizes N.A. 11/2 – Church Property seized, nationalized

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION Sequence of Events 1790’s 1790/91 – Catholic Church subjugated to French government June 91 – King attempts to escape to Austria; captured and returned to Paris; imprisoned in his home April 92 – France declares war on Austria-Prussia Sept. 92 – Turnaround victory for French; boosts morale of French troops Dec. 92 – Louis XVI tried, found guilty of conspiring against liberty of nation Jan 93 – Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are beheaded Spring/Summer of 93 – Political parties square off; determine who would have most influence writing the French const.

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION “The Terror” Following the murder of Jean-Paul Marat, the leading political party, known as the Jacobins, determined that they would crush any resistance within their new nation. They established neighborhood watches that were intended to find anyone who was not loyal. These watches would turn in suspected traitors, who would often be put to death.

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION “The Terror” After the reign of terror ended, the Jacobins lost their power in France. A new constitution is written, led by the directory… Army used to suppress dissenters; elite begin to re-emerge… Leads to the emergence of Napoleon Bonaparte