The Old Regime

The Old Regime People of France were divided into 3-estates What: Social structure which remained from the system of feudalism (Middle Ages) People of France were divided into 3-estates 1st, 2nd & 3rd Estates

The Privileged Estates The 1st & 2nd estate were privileged estates They paid NO TAXES Had access to high office (in King’s Bureaucracy)

1st ESTATE 2nd ESTATE 3rd Estate Clergy Nobles Peasants Workers Bourgeoisie Nobles <1% of Population 2% of Population 97% Population Owned 10% of land Owned 20% Land Owned Land, but paid High taxes Disapproved of enlightened ideas Did little/no work Did most work

3 Estates of France: an Analysis

Bourgeoisie 3rd Estate Middle class: lawyers, merchants Well-educated, believed in enlightened ideas Paid high taxes and lacked privileges of nobles

Workers 3rd Estate Cooks, Servants, etc…. Paid low wages, often went hungry If the cost of bread rose => workers would rebel

Peasants 3rd Estate Made up 80% of Population! Paid dues to nobles, fees to church & taxes to the King Extreme hunger was common

Road to Revolution The 3rd estate resented the unfair social system of France. It would not take much to spark revolution

Louis XVI Weak Leader Preferred personal interests over government Often left work up to advisors. Not capable of making tough decisions

Platform for Revolution Enlightenment Ideas Unfair Estate System Economic Woes of France Weak Leadership of Louis XVI

Describe how this picture illustrates the social conditions in France in Explain why revolution appears inevitable?