The Roots of the Revolution THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

Quote from Thomas Jefferson “OUT OF A POPULATION OF 20 MILLIONS OF PEOPLE… THERE ARE 19 MILLIONS MORE WRETCHED (POOR), MORE ACCURSED IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE OF HUMAN EXISTENCE, THAN THE MOST CONSPICUOUSLY WRETCHED INDIVIDUALS OF THE WHOLE UNITED STATES.”

 The Old Regime is a term used to describe life how it used to be in France, before all the changes that the French Revolution brought about.  Under the old Regime, society was broken into 3 Estates  The Clergy, the Nobles, and the Bourgeoisie THE OLD REGIME

 The First Estate, they made up only about 1% of the French Population  The Church was EXTREMELY wealthy.  They higher clergy became greedy and ignored their spiritual duties.  They did not pay taxes, but collected taxes, rent, and fees, increasing their wealth THE CLERGY

 The 2 nd Estate consisted of the Nobility.  They made up about 2% of the French Population  They paid few, if any taxes  Held highest positions in the government and army  Nobility was inherited by the eldest son. This included titles and lands. THE NOBILITY

 The 3 rd estate was the rest of the people.  They made up 97% of the French Population.  Some of them were upper-middle class. They included merchants manufacturers and the professionals.  However, the larger majority were very poor. They included city workers, artisans, and rural peasants.  Peasants were the largest group.  Even though they were the poorest, they paid the most in taxes.  On top of that, they paid rent for the land they worked and were forced to pay tithe to the church. THE BOURGEOISIE

Connecting to today OCCUPY WALLSTREET!

 Growing discontent erupted with the last year.  Protesters argue the growing disparity between the rich and poor.  In fact, they argue that the richest 1% are making loads of money, while the rest of the 99% are struggling.  The top 1% of the population make 23% of the total income made in the US WE ARE THE 99%

OCCUPY SLC

GROWING DISCONTENT Back to the French Revolution

 Growing population, more mouths to feed  Food prices and taxes being raised  While the poor were getting poorer, the rich lived lavishly and had plenty to eat.  Bourgeoisie wanted political power, or at least a say in the taxes they were paying  Above all wanted Liberty and equality. (Enlightenment)  Decided to challenge the King’s power. SEVERAL PROBLEMS

 Extreme spending from the absolute monarchs made France broke.  Monarchs kept up with expensive habits while the 3 rd estate was suffering  When Louis the XV was warned of his expensive habits, he proclaimed “It will survive my time. After me, the deluge.”  After a while, Louis XVI tried to taxes the first 2 estates, but they refused.  Louis the XVI married Marie-Antoinette, who became a hate symbol in France for her over-spending. FINANCIAL CRISIS

 Married when she was 15, Queen when she became 19.  Known to spend thousands on dresses and hair accessories.  “Let them eat cake!”  Eventually prisoned and beheaded. MARIE-ANTOINETTE

 King Louis XVI called together the estates to help address problems.  The 3 rd estate was fed up with being stepped on.  The 3 rd estate declared itself the National Assembly when their demands were not met.  The beginning of the French Revolution  The National Assembly would not stop until a written constitution was adopted in France. THE MEETING OF THE ESTATES GENERAL