Causes of the French Revolution

What factors led to the French Revolution? I. Absolute Monarchy Louis XVI ( ) a. claim to divine right no longer as strong b. Louis XVI was too harsh in response to public criticism Political Causes-

II. Luxury spending & War Debt a. Absolute rulers spent more than the country made b. Marie Antoinette (Louis’ wife) was a symbol for overspending & was extremely hated Economic Causes -

c. French spent too much in wars: - American Revolution (influenced French!) - Seven Years War (vs. British for North American land)

III. “Estates” Rigid Social Structure (the Old Regime) a.French population was divided into three groups b.All three groups were unhappy with absolutism Louis! Stop spending money! Social causes-

1 st Estate = clergy (made up 1%) 2 nd Estate = nobles (made up 2%) 3 rd Estate = ordinary people (made up 97%)

c. “What is the 3rd Estate? The Nation!” - members included: 1. Bourgeoisie (professionals that made up the middle class)

2. peasants and skilled laborers - largest group - had the least amount of rights & privileges

IV. Spread & popularity of Enlightenment Ideas a.Philosophers did not call for violent revolution b/c it’s against reason (logical thought b.Instead their ideas helped challenge the order of things (status quo) and created a revolutionary state of mind in France Intellectual Causes-

1. What were the three social classes that the French population was divided into? 2. What social class complained about inequality & high taxes? 3. What kind of government is it when the people have no rights & are ruled by one person?