–Beginning of a new United States of America –Beginning of the French Revolution Differences in Revolutions Differences in Revolutions –French was more violent and more radical –Both wanted to create a new political order –French wanted to create a new social order The French Revolution

Society arranged in three orders Society arranged in three orders –Estates Unequally divided Unequally divided System used since the Middle Ages System used since the Middle Ages The Three Estates

First Estate First Estate –Clergy –130,000 People –Exempt from paying the taille Taille – France’s chief tax Taille – France’s chief tax Second Estate Second Estate –Nobility –350,000 People –Exempt from paying the taille –Looked to expand power –Sought to keep control over positions in the military, the Church, and government The Three Estates

Third Estate Third Estate –Commoners of society –Majority of the French population –Divided by vast differences Peasants Peasants –Relics of feudalism – payment of fees, contributions to the clergy Skilled wage earners Skilled wage earners Bourgeoisie Bourgeoisie –Middle class –Merchants, bankers, industrials, professionals –Middle class unhappy with privileges held by nobles –Aristocrats and members of the bourgeoisie were drawn to Enlightenment ideas The Three Estates

French economy suffered periodic crises French economy suffered periodic crises –Bad harvests in 1787 and 1788 –1/3 population lived in poverty French government spent enormous amounts French government spent enormous amounts –Costly wars –Court luxuries Louis XVI called a meeting of the Estates-General to raise taxes Louis XVI called a meeting of the Estates-General to raise taxes –Composed of three orders of society First and Second had 300, Third had 600 First and Second had 300, Third had 600 –Opened in Versailles on May 5, 1789 Third Estate wanted to change voting system Third Estate wanted to change voting system King denied King denied Financial Crisis

Third Estate Reactions Third Estate Reactions –June 17, 1789 called together a National Assembly Purpose to draft a constitution Purpose to draft a constitution –Upon arriving for the meeting, the doors were locked –Moved to an indoor tennis court Tennis Court Oath – vowed to continue to meet until they had produced a new constitution Tennis Court Oath – vowed to continue to meet until they had produced a new constitution Louis XVI Promised Force Louis XVI Promised Force –July 14 – mob stormed the Bastille –Louis XVI couldn’t trust Royal Troops –Revolutions broke out everywhere Calling the Estates Together