The French Revolution Begins 7.1 The French Revolution Begins

Estates Estates = social classes 1st Estate = Clergy/Church officials Own 10% of land Contributes 2% of income to gvt. 2nd Estate = Rich nobles 2% of population Own 20% of land Pay no taxes 3rd Estate = middle class & poor citizens 97% of population Pay high taxes – 50% of income

Economic Problems High taxes, bad weather, cost of living increase = problems France helps U.S. in Revolutionary War Doubles national debt Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette spend much $$ for personal reasons

Louis XVI Louis XVI = weak leader Indecisive, doesn’t follow advisers, pays little attention to gvt. details Marie Antoinette adds to problems Austrian Enjoys spending $$ Offers poor advice to Louis VERY UNPOPULAR Louis ignores $$ problems

Estates-General Estates-General = congress of France To raise $$, Louis taxes 2nd Estate 2nd Estate forces Louis to call Estates-General into session 1st & 2nd Estate dominate Estates-General 3rd Estate wants better representation in government 3rd Estate creates “National Assembly” & end absolute monarchy

National Assembly Rumors fly around France Military to be used to stop Natl. Assembly Foreign troops coming to France Rumors cause people to gather weapons Mobs form Mob storms Bastille (a prison) – symbol of French freedom; July 14 = natl. holiday in France “Great Fear” sweeps France Riots across the country