The French Revolution Economic and social inequalities in the Old Regime help cause the French Revolution.

The Old Order Old Regime: An ancient system of governing France The Three Estates: – First Estate: Catholic Clergy – less than 1% of population, own 10% of land, pay few taxes – Second Estate: Rich nobles- 2% of population, own 20% of land – Third Estate: 97% of population, consist of peasants, urban workers and middle class Have few privileges, pay heavy taxes, want change

Forces of Change Enlightenment Ideas Inspire some in the Third Estate Economic Troubles and Bad leadership High taxes and rising costs damage the economy by 1780s King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are known for their extravagance Louis doubles the national debt, banks refuse to lend any more money Reading, if time

Dawn of Revolution Louis calls an Estates-General- a meeting of reps. From all three estates Third estate has little voting power but represent the majority of the French population, they are locked out of meetings Third Estate creates the National Assembly- a new legislature to make reforms They pledge the Tennis Court Oath- third estate reps. Decide to write a new constitution

Violence Breaks Out Rumors fly in Paris that Louis wants to suppress the National Assembly- mobs attack and seize the Bastille (jail), killing guards, on July 14, 1789 Great Fear- fear and panic swept the country side, peasants attack, destroying legal papers binding them to land Oct. 1789, Parisian women revolt over rising bread prices, they march to Versailles and demand that the king and queen return to Paris to fix the economic problems

The Assembly Reforms France Declaration of Rights of Man and of the Citizen “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” Seize church land – this alarms many peasants Louis and family try to flee the country – jailed after this (separately) September Assembly finishes the new constitution – Legislative Assembly is created to pass laws

Division and War during the Revolution Assembly splits into Radicals (Jacobins), Moderates and Conservatives Austria and Prussia want Louis and Marie back in power. National Convention takes office, forming a French Republic – drafts 300,000 to reinforce the army, condemns the king and queen to death 1793-England, Spain, Holland join fight against France

Reign of Terror The country is divided on changes Jacobin leader – Maximilien Robespierre rules France for a year, beheading all opponents – thousands die – 85% who do are middle to lower class people – July 1794 – beheaded Moderates write a new constitution – Two house legislature and five-man directory to restore order – Napoleon Bonaparte is named commander of armies