The French Revolution Donald Sterrett World History 11/06/06

Absolute Monarchs France had been ruled by an absolute monarchy. France had been ruled by an absolute monarchy. At the top was the king who had total control At the top was the king who had total control Louis XIV had been one of the most powerful rulers in history and had built the great palace of Versailles. Louis XIV had been one of the most powerful rulers in history and had built the great palace of Versailles. But all the wars and buildings cost a lot of money and the treasury was getting low. But all the wars and buildings cost a lot of money and the treasury was getting low. 1. If you are the king what would you do? 1. If you are the king what would you do?

THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES: The King’s House

Three Estates The old Regime (Ancien Regime) divided up society into 3 groups or estates. The old Regime (Ancien Regime) divided up society into 3 groups or estates. 1 st Estate: Clergy. It made up less then 1% of the population, had lots of power and money, and paid 2% of their income in taxes. 1 st Estate: Clergy. It made up less then 1% of the population, had lots of power and money, and paid 2% of their income in taxes. 2 nd Estate: Nobles: It made up 2% of the population, had lots of power and money and paid no taxes. 2 nd Estate: Nobles: It made up 2% of the population, had lots of power and money and paid no taxes. 2. Where do you think they are going to get all the money they need? 2. Where do you think they are going to get all the money they need?

The 3 rd Estate The Third Estate: Everybody else. It included 98% of the population had few rights, almost no power and money. They paid 50% of their earnings in taxes. The Third Estate: Everybody else. It included 98% of the population had few rights, almost no power and money. They paid 50% of their earnings in taxes. 3. If you were a member of the 3 rd Estate how would you feel about this situation. 3. If you were a member of the 3 rd Estate how would you feel about this situation.

Examine this cartoon from the time of the Revolution. What is going on in the picture? How might this illustrate a cause of the revolution? Who are each of the men in the picture supposed to be?

Forces for Change 1. Enlightenment Ideas: The Enlightenment ideas made people ask questions about how society is set up. They pushed the ideas like equality, liberty, and democracy. 1. Enlightenment Ideas: The Enlightenment ideas made people ask questions about how society is set up. They pushed the ideas like equality, liberty, and democracy. 2. Economic Woes: High taxes meant that business people had to raise the price of their goods. This led to huge price jumps where the price of bread doubled. 2. Economic Woes: High taxes meant that business people had to raise the price of their goods. This led to huge price jumps where the price of bread doubled. Question: Imagine you are trying to support your family and you cannot buy bread. How might you respond?

Louis calls the Estates together 1. Louis calls the Estates together for the first time in 175 years to solve financial problems. 1. Louis calls the Estates together for the first time in 175 years to solve financial problems. At the meeting they vote by Estate instead of by head. This angered the 3 rd Estate because they are the largest group and yet they get outvoted each time. At the meeting they vote by Estate instead of by head. This angered the 3 rd Estate because they are the largest group and yet they get outvoted each time. One day they are locked out of the meeting and go to the Tennis Court where they promise not to leave until they get a new Constitution. One day they are locked out of the meeting and go to the Tennis Court where they promise not to leave until they get a new Constitution.

National Assembly The people create a new representative body that will be one person one vote. They start passing revolutionary laws that starts to disturb the king. The people create a new representative body that will be one person one vote. They start passing revolutionary laws that starts to disturb the king. The king sends in troops to break up the Assembly. When the people find out they storm the Bastille and get weapons. This event is the beginning of the Revolution. The king sends in troops to break up the Assembly. When the people find out they storm the Bastille and get weapons. This event is the beginning of the Revolution.

Declaration of the Rights of Man The French Declaration of Rights declared that people had the rights to life, liberty, and freedom from oppression. The French Declaration of Rights declared that people had the rights to life, liberty, and freedom from oppression. Despite these grand ideas they did not live up to them and they denied rights to women Despite these grand ideas they did not live up to them and they denied rights to women Many of the poor peasant women became angry at the king and Queen and they marched on Versailles attacked the palace, killed the guards and brought the King and Queen back to Paris. Many of the poor peasant women became angry at the king and Queen and they marched on Versailles attacked the palace, killed the guards and brought the King and Queen back to Paris.

Flight to Varenne/Declaration of Pillnitz There are the two events that make the people not trust the King and Queen. There are the two events that make the people not trust the King and Queen. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette attempt to escape to Austria and they are caught before they can make it over the border. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette attempt to escape to Austria and they are caught before they can make it over the border. The Declaration of Pillnitz is a statement by Marie ’ s relatives that they will step into restore Louis ’ throne. The Declaration of Pillnitz is a statement by Marie ’ s relatives that they will step into restore Louis ’ throne. This makes the people believe that the king and queen are traitors. This makes the people believe that the king and queen are traitors.

Jacobins and Sans Cullottes Jacobins: Radical group in the French Revolution they were more middle class and believed in the ideas of the Enlightenment. They end up taking over the Government during and after the Revolution. Jacobins: Radical group in the French Revolution they were more middle class and believed in the ideas of the Enlightenment. They end up taking over the Government during and after the Revolution. Sans cullotes: Parisian tradespeople and artisans were angry about the food shortages and economic inequalities. Sans cullotes: Parisian tradespeople and artisans were angry about the food shortages and economic inequalities.