The French Revolution What are good reasons for revolt? S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution.

Setting the Stage S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution. In the 1700’s France was considered the most advanced country of Europe. Why? –Large population, successful foreign trade, center of the Enlightenment, huge cultural center. But….there was also… –High taxes, skyrocketing prices due to bad harvests and drought, high debt due to extravagant lifestyles of rulers.

Inspiration: The American Revolution American Colonists declare their independence from Great Britain, Revolutionary War begins- Colonists win! Declaration of Independence circulating throughout France, inspiring many. S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution

Causes of the Revolution Social/Political Structure Economic Trouble Weak Leadership Enlightenment Ideas

Social/Political Structure In France, social classes were divided into estates First Estate –Made up of clergy of the Roman Catholic Church –Owned 10 percent of all land in France –Had access to high offices and exempt from paying taxes Second Estate –Made up of rich nobles, 2% of population. –Also held highest offices in government, paid little or no taxes. –S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution

Third Estate –Included the bourgeoisie, urban lower class, and peasants (97% of population) –Had no power to influence government and paid highest taxes –Urban workers were paid the lowest wages –Forced military service. –Each estate got one vote, so the 3 rd estate was usually outnumbered by the 1 st and 2 nd. *Bourgeoisie- merchants, artisans, businesspeople MIDDLE CLASS –S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution

Enlightenment Ideas Members of the third estate were inspired by Enlightenment ideas. –What kind of ideas from the philosophes would inspire the 3 rd estate? Resented First and Second estates for all the privileges they received. Voltaire and Rousseau spoke of liberty, equality, democracy. S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution

Economic Troubles By 1780’s France’s once prosperous economy was in decline. Factors –Heavy burden of taxes (especially on third estate) –Cost of living was rising quickly –Widespread crop failures due to drought –Government was deep in debt because of war and extravagant spending by King and Queen –S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution

Weak Leaders King Louis XVI was an indecisive leader Paid little attention to advisors Didn’t like details Loved to entertain and hunt Wife Maria Antoinette was not popular with citizens- “Madame Deficit” Bankrupted the French Government S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution

The Spark When the government was bankrupt, Louis did the unheard of…taxed the nobility. They forced him to call a meeting of the Estates-General to approve this tax. Problem: which rules to follow? –Medieval rules? Each estate meets in separate rooms and each estate had ONE vote. –Enlightenment rules? All three estates meet together and each representative gets one vote King Louis XIV enforces the medieval rules. S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution

What happened next? So the third estate develops the National Assembly on June 17, 1789, to pass laws and reforms in the name of the French people. This in essence means that they deny the existence of the absolute monarch (Louis XIV). Tennis Court Oath- locked out of meeting room, met on tennis court and pledged to stay until they had drawn up a constitution. S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution

And then what? Rumors flew around the city that Louis was going use military force to break up the National Assembly or massacre French citizens. People began to gather weapons in order to defend the city and the National Assembly. On July 14, 1789 a mob searching for gunpowder and arms stormed the Bastille (a Paris prison) and takes control. This becomes known as Bastille Day in France—the symbolic start of the French Revolution. S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution

Exit What are reasons for the French Revolution? S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution