HWH UNIT 4 CHAPTER 6.1
“ The most perilous moment for a bad government is one when it seeks to mend its ways. ” -Alexis de Tocqueville, French Historian, 1850s
The Three Estates First Estate: The Clergy Second Estate: The Nobility Nobility of the Robe Nobility of the Sword Third Estate: Everyone Else Bourgeoisie Peasants Urban workers French Society: The Old Regime
PEASANTS ≠ URBAN POOR! A Quick Note…
The French Urban Poor
The Three Estates Compared: Population
Taxation in France, 1789
Land Ownership in France, 1789
The Agenda of the 3 rd Estate 3 rd Estate Urban Poor Peasants Bourgeoisie Desire Lower Bread Prices Political Voice Fair Taxes End of Feudal Obligations Fair Taxes Political Power Fair Taxes
Louis XVI (r ) and Marie Antoinette
Inflation : Price increase 65%, wages increase 22% The “ Feudal Reaction ” War Debt ½ of Royal budget went to interest on the debt Taxation system Inefficient Louis XVI ’ s Problems
Finance Minister Exposed royal spending Proposed taxing all estates Jacques Necker ( )
The Problem of the Estates General “ Voting by estate ” The First and Second Estate ALWAYS voted together First Estate 1 Vote Second Estate 1 Vote Third Estate 1 Vote
The “ Doubling of the Third ” Third Estate nd Estate st Estate 300
Emmanuel Sieyes What is the Third Estate?
Lists of complaints drawn up by each estate Exposed problems in society and government Cahiers de Doléances
The Turbulent Summer of 1789
The Estates General meets (May 5, 1789)
June 17, 1789: The Third Estate walks out; National Assembly formed
June 20, 1789: Tennis Court Oath
June 27, 1789: Members of the 1st and 2nd Estate join the National Assembly
July 11, 1789: Necker is dismissed
July 14, 1789: Parisians storm the Bastille