France before the Revolution

Louis XV Successor to Louis XIV Ruled carelessly Madame de Pompadour Chief mistress Often seen as one of the most powerful women of the 18th century

Louis XV Creates Problems Involved in several wars during his reign War of Polish Succession War of Austrian Succession Seven Years War Lost land and almost drained the finances of France

Louis XVI 1774-1792 Little faith in him as King Married to Marie Antoinette Political marriage to solidify relationship between the Hapsburgs and the French “Madame Deficit” Failed to produce a child for 7 years Louis XVI pledged expensive military support to the American Revolution Money could have been used to feed lower class in France

Louis XVI Deregulation of grain Cost of bread rose to 10x the amount Court at Versailles continued oblivious to the outrage in towns Advisors called for Louis XVI to appoint a financial minister Jacques Necker Called the Estates General for the first time in 175 years (1789)

Estates General 3 Estates 1- Clergy 2- Nobles 3- Everyone else The top two estates always overrode the 3rd Estate