What were some of political beliefs of the Enlightenment? How did they change the way people thought? Bell Ringer
Recap – Enlightenment, what were some of the ideas. Who did not agree? The three estates of France: Fair? What led to a decline of power in France? Reading: National Assembly, Tennis Court oath, and the Great Fear Activity: Write a letter to the king as one of the estates. Agenda/Objectives
Enlightenment Ideas
The Three Estates of France
First Estate: - Made up of clergy of Roman Catholic Church, scorned Enlightened ideas. Second Estate: - Made up of rich nobles, held highest offices in government, and disagreed with Enlightened ideas. The Three Estates
First and Second Estate
Included bourgeoisie, urban lower class, and peasant farmers. Had no power to influence government. Embraced Enlightened ideas. Third Estate
Third Estate of France
First estate- owned 10% of the land, provided education and relief services to the poor. - Contributed 2% of its income to the government. Second estate- 2% of the population, owned 20% and paid no taxes. Seems fair right…. The three estates
Third estate – 98% of the population and differed economically from merchants and well educated to peasants. - All heavily taxed. The three estates
What typically leads to a decline of a nation? Economic hardship and weak leadership. What led to the decline of France?
Expanding population with extremely high taxes made business impossible to flourish. Cost of living rose and crops began to fail. price of bread doubled. King Louis XVI lived an extravagant life and spent money wastefully. - Borrowed money to help Americans fight the British. Economic hardship
Louis XVI became king in Preferred to hunt and play rather than govern. Age 15 married Marie Antoinette who was only 14. Marie was from Austria (long time enemy of France) Marriage was extremely unpopular. Marie spent money lavishly on gowns, jewelry, and gifts #Madamedefecit Weak Leadership
Rather than cutting expenses and raising taxes Louis put the issue off. Facing bankruptcy attempted to tax nobles. Estates-General – representatives from all 3 estates. - first meeting in 175 years- May 5, 1789 at Versailles. Weak leadership
Everyone will read silently “The National Assembly” Be prepared to answer questions. Reading
Based on your notes and reading I want you to write a letter to King Louis XVI. You will choose to be one of the Estates (you choose). You will write about an issue you have with him or what you want changed or NOT changed- based on the estate you have chosen. Minimum of 2 paragraphs. Activity
1 paragraph of what your paper will be on and why it interest you. i.e. Hitler’s rise to power - Fall of Constantinople - Assassination of Abraham Lincoln - Rise of Communism in Russia - Longstreet vs. Lee: Gettysburg - The Death of Emmitt Till - United States influence in the Middle East Topic of Research Paper