The French Revolution The Three Estates

Tale of the Times in France Political Problems (Gov.) Political Problems (Gov.) Economic Problems ($) Economic Problems ($) Social Problems (People) Social Problems (People)

Political Problems Young King Louis XVI takes power in 1774 (20 yrs) Young King Louis XVI takes power in 1774 (20 yrs) Forgetful of State Problems (starvation, taxation…) Forgetful of State Problems (starvation, taxation…) Loved door locks. Loved door locks.

The Marriage Married Marie Antonia (Antoinette in French) of Austria. Married Marie Antonia (Antoinette in French) of Austria. Both very young (Louis = 15 and Marie = 14) Both very young (Louis = 15 and Marie = 14) Spent too much money!!! (aka “Madam Deficit”) Spent too much money!!! (aka “Madam Deficit”) Sexual Problems leads to no Children …and public ridicule. Sexual Problems leads to no Children …and public ridicule.

12 yrs old 15 yrs old 12 yrs old 15 yrs old

Marie Antoinette with her 4 children?

Economic Problems War Cost too Much!!! (French and Indian War, The American Revolution) War Cost too Much!!! (French and Indian War, The American Revolution) Opulent Spending (Castles, Parties…) Opulent Spending (Castles, Parties…) This lead to an increase in Taxes This lead to an increase in Taxes

Social Problems * Life Divided into Three Estates (Classes) Life Divided into Three Estates (Classes) First Estate (privileged) First Estate (privileged) Second Estate (privileged) Second Estate (privileged) Third Estate Third Estate

First Estate The Church (2 % of Population) The Church (2 % of Population) Owned 10% of all Land Owned 10% of all Land Privileged class (Paid no Taxes) Privileged class (Paid no Taxes)

Second Estate The Nobles (1 % of Population) The Nobles (1 % of Population) Owned 30% of all Land Owned 30% of all Land Privileged class (Paid no Taxes) Privileged class (Paid no Taxes)

The Nobles Noblese de Epee Noblese de Epee The old Knights The old Knights Noblese de Robe Noblese de Robe Paid money to be part of the Noble Class Paid money to be part of the Noble Class

The Third Estate Everyone Else = Middle Class, Lower Class, Working Class, and Peasants. (97% of Pop) Everyone Else = Middle Class, Lower Class, Working Class, and Peasants. (97% of Pop) Lots of Restrictions, Paid all Taxes. Lots of Restrictions, Paid all Taxes.

Problems Spawn Resentment Third Estate develops a hatred for first two Estates. Third Estate develops a hatred for first two Estates. Not Equality, Not Fairness, No Justice!!! Not Equality, Not Fairness, No Justice!!!

The X-Factor The Enlightenment The Enlightenment Ideas from Locke, Voltaire and Rousseau offered hope for the Third Estate. Ideas from Locke, Voltaire and Rousseau offered hope for the Third Estate. Perhaps Revolution? Perhaps Revolution?