French Revolution 1789-1799

Causes Immediate cause: Financial crisis Near collapse of government finances Costly wars (i.e. American Revolution) Court luxuries Palace of Versailles Rising Bread Prices

Causes of the Revolution *CLASS DIVISIONS 1st – Clergy – Only 1% 2nd – Gov. Leaders, Military, Nobles, Large Land Owners – 2% 3rd – Bourgeoisie (Middle class, Merchants, Businessmen, Doctors, Lawyers, Artisans, Peasants) Clergy Nobility Rest of France

Revolutionary Forces The Estates-General Each Estate had 1 vote The 3rd Estate changed that to each delegate 3rd Estate formed the National Assembly and drafted a constitution ( On a Tennis Court!) 1st Estate 3rd Estate 2nd Estate

Counter Revolutionary Forces Monarchy: King Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette 1st Estate and 2nd Estate The Catholic Church

Goals of the Revolution Overthrow the monarchy Destroy symbols of the Old Regime - Fuedalism Democracy in Europe Political rights for the bourgeoisie Promote Liberty, Equality, & Fraternity

Important Places / Events May 5, 1789--meeting of the Estates-General in Versailles   June 20—National Assembly formed (Tennis Court Oath) July 14—Mob Storms the Bastille

Key People King Louis XVI Marie Antoinette Olympe de Gouges Napoleon Bonaparte

How did it end? Louis and Marie Antoinette beheaded Old Regime destroyed Successful political reform: Constitution 1799--Coup d’etat: Napoleon overthrew the Directory

Global Consequences Gave rise to modern nation-state Enlightenment philosophy comes to fruition in Europe Multi-partisan system in France today