The French Revolution Begins http://www.history.com/topics/french-revolution

Background to the Revolution Immediate causes: Economic problems there were long term problems that created an environment for revolution

The Estates French society was based on inequality Was divided into 3 estates First, Second, and Third Estates

The First Estate consisted of the clergy owned about 10% of land were exempt from the taille (main tax in France)

The Second Estate was the nobility owned between 25-30% of land held many leading governmental posts also exempt from the taille

The Third Estate were the commoners and bourgeoisie (middle class) they were further divided by occupations and wealth

The Third Estate over half of them had little or no land on which to survive many of these people were unhappy with the privileges of the nobility both the bourgeoisie and nobility opposed the monarchy

Financial Crisis a slowdown in manufacturing led to food shortages, rising food prices, and unemployment in the French cities

Financial Crisis on the verge of complete financial collapse, King Louis XIV was forced to call a meeting of the Estates-General (French Parliament).

From Estates General to National Assembly EG composed of representatives from all the estates members of the Third Estate wanted to abolish tax exemptions of the 1st and 2nd Estates However, the king declared that he was in favor of the current system

From Estates General to National Assembly The 3rd Estate separated itself from the Estates General and called itself the National Assembly Took an oath to continuously meet until a new constitution was developed Called the Tennis Court Oath

The Great Scare 3rd Estate rebellions broke out throughout France These rebellions became part of the Great Scare A panic that spread through France in the summer of 1789

Destruction of the Old Regime August 4, 1789, the National Assembly voted to abolish the tax exemptions on the upper Estates

Destruction of the Old Regime August 26, they adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man Inspired by the US Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and English Bill of Rights

The Constitution of 1791 Set up a limited monarchy Still had a king but a Legislative Assembly made the laws

War with Austria some European leaders feared that revolutions would spread to their countries Austrian and Prussian rulers tried to use force to restore Louis XIV to the throne in the spring of 1792, the Legislative Assembly declared war on Austria

The Paris Commune eventually more radical groups emerged known as Communes The Paris Commune eventually overtook the Legislative Assembly and forced them to suspend the monarchy

The Paris Commune Made them call for a National Convention This way the people could vote on important issues.