Do Now Assume your roles from Tuesday. I will assist you in sitting according to your Estate. Get out your Revolution Comparison Chart. We will discuss the first part of the simulation and review. We will continue our French Revolution simulation with a meeting of the Estates General!

Simulation Norms Participate to the best of your ability Be open-minded Respect other people’s opinions and ideas Do not interrupt the speaker No profanity, insults, harassment Follow role expectations (for specific roles)

The French Revolution (1789) What was the government before the revolution? The government in France had long been an absolute monarchy. King Louis XIV “The Sun King” ruled with divine right as did Louis XV and passed the rule onto his grandson, King Louis XVI. King Louis XVI ruled France with his Queen, Marie Antoinette.

French Revolution What was the problem? 1.King Louis XVI ruled with divine right and absolute power 2.Enlightenment ideas were spreading and the people wanted change! 3.France was DEEP in debt: a.The cost of wars (Seven Years War, American Rev.) was expensive b.Unequal taxation of three estates (1 st and 2 nd paid NO taxes, 3 rd estate paid ALL taxes) c.King Louis XVI and his court lived in luxury and spent LOTS of money! 4.French people were starving because of bad harvests 5.King Louis ignored the needs of his people. He didn’t want to deal with problems of the country.

The Three Estates 1 st ESTATE ______________________ 2 nd ESTATE _______________________________ 3 rd ESTATE 1 – Bourgeoisie: wealthy merchants and skilled workers (4%) 2 –Workers: poorly-paid servants, cooks and personal attendants (8%) 3 – Peasants (85%) EVERYONE ELSE! 97% of the population. Paid all the taxes. Nobility. 2% of the population. Paid no taxes Roman Catholic clergy. 1% of the population. Paid no taxes.

French Revolution So what happened? To solve the debt problem, King Louis XVI wanted to tax the previously untaxed 2 nd Estate. The struggle to pass taxes was unsuccessful. So King Louis XVI decided to call a meeting of the Estates General in May 1789 to resolve the issue. (It was the first meeting of the Estates General in 175 years!)

Step 1 King Louis XVI assembles the Estates General for advice. Read your role for this step. Follow the directions.

Step 2 The three Estates prepare to meet. Read your role for this step. Follow the directions. You will need a piece of paper and a writing utensil.

Step 3 Each Estate proposes a plan to save France. Read your role for this step. Follow the directions.

Step 4 King Louis XVI proposes a plan to save France. Read your role for this step. Follow the directions.

Step 5 The Estates General votes on the King’s plan. Read your role for this step. Follow the directions.

Step 6 Severe famine occurs. Read your role for this step. Follow the directions.

Step 7 The Third Estate responds to the situation. Read your role for this step. Follow the directions.