Causes of the French Revolution

Recipe for Revolution Inequality Economic Uncertainty Poor Leadership Progressive Thought Revolution Soup

Causes of the Revolution Long-standing resentments against the monarchy Inequalities in society Existing social and political structure Called the Old Order, or ancient régime Group Assignment

Varied widely in what they contributed in terms of work and taxes Roman Catholic clergy One percent of the population Exempt from taxes Owned 10 percent of the land –Collected rents and fees –Bishops and other clergy grew wealthy First Estate Nobility Less than 2 percent of the population Paid few taxes Controlled much wealth Held key positions –Government –Military Lived on country estates Second Estate Largest group—97% of the population Bourgeoisie—city- dwelling merchants, factory owners, and professionals Sans culottes— artisans and workers Peasants—poor with little hope, paid rents and fees Third Estate The Three Estates

So, What’s the Big Deal? First & second estate many privileges No taxes but richest Lived in luxury Hold positions of importance No military service Was this fair?

The Three Estates What does this political cartoon say about the economic and political conditions in France? Why would the 1 st and 2 nd Estate be opposed to change or enlightenment ideas?

Inequality Today

Inspiring new ideas from Enlightenment philosophers Great Britain’s government limiting the king’s power American colonists rebelled successfully against British king New ideas changed government and society in other countries Enlightenment Ideas

Economic Problems Debt = $700 million War Debt (Louis XIV) Money spent on luxuries Tax system corrupt Banks would not lend France money Reform tax system? Bad Harvest

Weak Leaders? Louis XIV’s Wars and Palace Slide 10 Louis XVI Versailles Louis XVI 19 when he took over Cared more about self than nation Marriage to Marie Antoinette From Austria Big spender

The Estates General

Law making body of France Had not met since 1614 Louis hope to approve new tax plan 1 st and 2 nd hoped to continue priv. 3 rd estate wanted new style of gov and solutions to their problems ? Of procedures

National Assembly Established Created by members of 3 rd estate Goal = new constitution for France

Tennis Court Oath June 20 th 1789 at royal tennis court Oath = would not stop until King met their demands Result = King gave in and 1 st and 2 nd estate became part of National Assembly

Storming of the Bastille July 14, 1789 Old prison-fortress in Paris Initial reason was to get ammunition The seven inmates, none of them political prisoners, were freed. The governor, Launay, and was dragged through Paris to the City Hall and killed The Bastille only had 110 men to fight and there were 300 people in the mob July 14 is French Independence Day The attack is considered the beginning of the French Revolution Adopt tricolor flag – vertical red, white, blue “Great Fear” French_Revolution__The__Part_I__April__1789___September__1791__

Weak Leaders?

The Bastille Old prison-fortress in Paris Symbol July search for weapons to defend against Kings troops French Independence Day Adopt tricolor flag – vertical red, white, blue “Great Fear” French_Revolution__The__Part_I__April__1789___September__1791__