1. THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

2. FROM ABSOLUTE MONARCHY TO DEMOCRACY 1789-1799

3. FRANCE IN THE 1700’S The first political action of the French Revolution took place in 1789. To clearly understand this situation and why it occurred, we must study the century prior to the revolution. The roots for the revolution in France run very, very deep.

4. LOUIS XIV (1661-1715)

5. LOUIS XIV Louis XIV-14th Divine Right Absolute Monarch. -ruled France for 54 years(1661-1715). -fought wars. -centralized the French Government. -built the Palace at Versailles.

6. SUN KING

7. MOTTO: “NONE HIS EQUAL”

8. “ I am the state.”

9. VERSAILLES PALACE

11. VERSAILLES-HALL OF MIRRORS

14. VERSAILLES TOUR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6xX1pRYFNY (two minutes)

15. LOUIS XV (1715-1774)

16. LOUIS XV -fought wars (7 Years War) -borrowed heavily -When warned about the growing economic problems, he said, “It will last my time, after me, the deluge.”

17. LOUIS XV

18. LOUIS XVI (1774-1793)

19. “Good King Louis” Initially popular, he was the wrong man to lead France in a crisis. Middle Class is growing. 1 st /2 nd Estates pay almost no taxes(2% of population). 3 rd Estate pays heavy taxes(98% of population). Louis XVI had poor leadership skills.

20. PROBLEMS IN FRANCE IN THE 1700’S Louis XIV, XV, XVI – poor financial traditions Ancien Régime - the social and political system of France. First Estate – Clergy (1/2 %) Second Estate – Nobility (1 ½ %) Third Estate – Commoners (98%) bourgeoisie – middle class; top of the 3 rd estate peasant farmers urban workers

24. PROBLEMS IN FRANCE IN THE 1700’S Financial Crisis -Deficit spending- government spends more money than it takes in - Debt from borrowing to cover budget shortfalls. - Expense of financing the American Revolution. - Expense of the court at Versailles

27. Famine of 1788 – the worst harvest in over a century; sent food prices soaring No taxes paid by the 1 st and 2 nd Estates Expanding Middle Class – pay heavy taxes but have no say in government.

28. WHAT SHOULD THE KING DO TO CALM THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL FIRES IN FRANCE? Louis XVI choses Jacques Necker as financial advisor. Option 1: Tax the 1 st and 2 nd Estates Option 2: Cut court costs at Versailles Option 3: Exchange loans for power with the Middle Class Option 4: Open the business community to competition Option 5: Convene the Estates General, the taxing body of France, and raise taxes on the Third Estate

29. THE OLD REGIME

30. LOUIS XVI’S SOLUTION TO FRANCE’S FINANCIAL PROBLEMS Late 1788-Louis XVI decided to call the Estates General into session. His goal was to raise taxes on the Third Estate. Throughout France, the Estates chose their representatives. The Third Estate was given double representation (sham), but each Estate still had only one vote. Louis XVI had all 3 estates prepare cahiers- notebooks listing grievances. Grievances ranged from tax reform to the cost of shoe leather.

31. THE ESTATES GENERAL

33. THE ESTATES GENERAL CONVENES May 4, 1789-Louis XVI demanded that the Estates meet separately and vote, 1 vote for each Estate. WHY IS THIS UNFAIR? The Third Estate wanted to discuss the rules. It said ‘no’ to the voting procedure. They walked out and called for a National Assembly to discuss and write new rules for the Estates General (the revolution begins here).

34. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Declared by the Third Estate. Their goal is to establish new rules for the Estates General. They invited the First and Second Estates to join them. King Louis XVI offers the National Assembly a room (change of heart) and encourages the First and Second Estates to join the Assembly (to be his ‘eyes and ears’).

35. TENNIS COURT OATH June 20, 1789 – the National Assembly arrives at the meeting room only to find it locked. Angered, they search for somewhere to meet. They find an indoor tennis court, where they meet. Tennis Court Oath – the National Assembly takes an oath not to disband until they had written a constitution (a set of rules used to run a nation).

36. TENNIS COURT OATH

38. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

39. Reform minded clergy and nobles join the National Assembly. A room was provided by the king and the National Assembly began meeting. Discussions were long and little was accomplished. King Louis XVI moved troops toward Paris and Versailles. The National Assembly disbanded, fearing the advancing troops. They fled Versailles in all directions.

40. THE STORMING OF THE BASTILLE Serious rioting began in Paris. Some delegates of the National Assembly could not be accounted for. Did the king have them in the Bastille (royal prison)?

41. THE BASTILLE

42. STORMING OF THE BASTILLE First violent act of the French Revolution. July 14, 1789-a mob of about 30,000 Parisians attack the Bastille, resulting in a day long standoff. By late afternoon, it was in the hands of the mob.

44. THE BASTILLE

45. RESULTS OF THE STORMING OF THE BASTILLE WHAT WAS INSIDE THE BASTILLE? No Delegates 7 Criminals WHAT DID THE BASTILLE SYMBOLIZE?

46. WHAT HAD THE PEOPLE OF FRANCE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE STORMING OF THE BASTILLE? The people of France took action. The people had struck at the king and won. The majority made a decision and acted on it. People began to understand their numerical superiority.