The French Revolution

Background Info French society was divided into three social classes called estates. First Estate were the clergy Second Estate were the nobles Everyone else made up the Third Estate

Background Info The First and Second Estates enjoyed all of the privileges The Third estate paid all of the taxes – little voice in government – 98% of the population belonged to this group and they owned 70% of the land

Background Info Why should the first two estates have privileges at the expense of the majority?

When and Where Did The Revolution Take Place? The 1780s and 1790s in France

Goals of the Revolutionaries Members of the Third Estate wanted a new government – one that would protect them and look out for their interests.

Causes Enlightenment philosophers challenged the king ’ s supreme authority by promoting the idea that the right to rule came not from God (Divine Right), but from the people – fueled discontent – people realized they had choices.

Causes Social class system 1 st Estate - Clergy 2 nd Estate - Nobles 3 rd Estate – Middle class, common workers, peasants

Causes Financial Crisis (economic problems) – cost of wars, failed crops, inflation – city dwellers and the poorer peasants were hungry. The economy was crumbling

Revolution spawns revolution The American Revolution – the people of France learned they could change the government!

The French Rev leads to the rise of… Napoleon Bonaparte -French Emperor from One of the most famous war generals in history -Bonaparte pushed through higher education standards, implemented a tax code, a central national bank and a set of civil laws – Napoleonic Code -If you are a “short person” you may suffer from Napoleon Complex