French Revolution

Three Estates/Absolute Monarchy 1 st Estate was the church clergy 2 nd Estate included the Nobility 3 rd Estate were the peasants or the bourgeoisies. This group was the majority.

How did it start French were in a financial crisis People were unhappy with the king 3 rd estate were being taxed heavily They wanted a new social order and led by a few high ranking people took French control into their own hands Third Estate broke away and created a National Assembly

Five Main Causes Absolute Monarchy Estate System Economic Inequality Enlightenment Other Revolutions

New order King was not happy Peasants raided the Bastille, which was a royal fortress for ammunition. Clergy and common people met to bury differences and change the way things were run. Not as many taxes and laws for the peasants to pay 1791 a new constitution was developed.

King’s new role He could remain in power, but an elected assembly would make the laws. King Louis tried to have other countries attack France He ended up trying to leave he was sentenced to death.

Committee of Public Safety Maximilian Robespierre was in charge and took it a little too far. Lots and lots of executions and turmoil

The Revolution An era of bloody years went by where over 16,000 people were guillotined. A general named Napoleon Bonaparte took over and a new constitution took place in 1799 In 1804 he crowned himself Emperor of France Revolution was over and a new empire had begun

Consequences A republic based on bourgeois replaced the monarchy Start of the modern world More patriotism for country instead of the monarch