Causes of the French Revolution or The Enlightenment Realized? Accelerated World History Mr. Bach

Question? Do we live in an enlightened age?Do we live in an enlightened age?

The World is Flat

The Chinese and the Indians are not racing us to the bottom. They are racing us to the top. Young Indian and Chinese entrepreneurs are not content just to build our designs. They aspire to design the next wave of innovations and dominate those markets. Good jobs are being outsourced to them not simply because they'll work for less, but because they are better educated in the math and science skills required for 21st-century work.The Chinese and the Indians are not racing us to the bottom. They are racing us to the top. Young Indian and Chinese entrepreneurs are not content just to build our designs. They aspire to design the next wave of innovations and dominate those markets. Good jobs are being outsourced to them not simply because they'll work for less, but because they are better educated in the math and science skills required for 21st-century work. When was the last time you met a 12-year-old who told you he or she wanted to grow up to be an engineer? When Bill Gates goes to China, students hang from the rafters and scalp tickets to hear him speak. In China, Bill Gates is Britney Spears. In America, Britney Spears is Britney Spears – and that is our problem.When was the last time you met a 12-year-old who told you he or she wanted to grow up to be an engineer? When Bill Gates goes to China, students hang from the rafters and scalp tickets to hear him speak. In China, Bill Gates is Britney Spears. In America, Britney Spears is Britney Spears – and that is our problem.

Cause #1 – Inequity in Society The Old Regime First Estate – Roman Catholic ChurchFirst Estate – Roman Catholic Church –Owned 10% of the land. –Paid only 2% of its income to the state –Enlightened? No – threatening to them.No – threatening to them.

Cause #1 – Inequity in Society The Old Regime Second Estate – NobilitySecond Estate – Nobility –Owned 20% of the land –Paid 0% in taxes –Enlightened? No – threat to their power.No – threat to their power.

Cause #1 – Inequity in Society The Old Regime Third EstateThird Estate –Bourgeoisie – middle-class (capitalists) Paid 50% of their income in taxesPaid 50% of their income in taxes Enlightened?Enlightened? –Yes – independently educated

Cause #1 – Inequity in Society The Old Regime Third EstateThird Estate –Urban workers (often poorly paid) –Peasants Will be collectively known as the ProletariatWill be collectively known as the Proletariat Enlightened?Enlightened? –Not necessarily educated, but will benefit from enlightened ideals.

The Poor Third Estate

Cause #2 - Enlightenment France was center of Enlightenment thoughtFrance was center of Enlightenment thought –Equality and Liberty (Rousseau, Voltaire, Diderot, etc.) –American Revolution served as an example

Cause #3 – Economic Problems King raises taxes to pay off tremendous debtsKing raises taxes to pay off tremendous debts –Spending of absolute monarchy –Cost of helping the American Revolution –Famine and inflation spread

Cause #4 – Terrible Leadership Louis XVI and Marie AntoinetteLouis XVI and Marie Antoinette –Not prepared to rule –Antoinette = Hapsburg family (France’s enemy) –Ignorant to problems of the Third Estate

The Third Estate Awakens!!!

Estates - General Called by Louis XIV to approve a new taxCalled by Louis XIV to approve a new tax Third Estate will rebel from the meeting over the unfair voting procedure.Third Estate will rebel from the meeting over the unfair voting procedure.

National Assembly Had the nerve to declare an end to absolute monarchy and would establish a republic.Had the nerve to declare an end to absolute monarchy and would establish a republic. Tennis Court OathTennis Court Oath –Swear to create a new constitution for France.

Tennis Court Oath

Bastille Day – July 14, 1789 Mob storms the Bastille (prison) in search of armsMob storms the Bastille (prison) in search of arms –Fearful that Louis XVI was going to send out his troops –This act of revolution goes unpunished!

Lady Liberty

The Bastille

Great Fear Peasants and poor seize control of country by terrorizing the nobility and clergy.Peasants and poor seize control of country by terrorizing the nobility and clergy.

Reforms of National Assembly Declaration of Rights of Man and CitizenDeclaration of Rights of Man and Citizen –Statement of principles “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” Took control of the Catholic Church to pay off debtsTook control of the Catholic Church to pay off debts –However, offended many Catholics in France.