1. The French Revolution
Conditions in France

2. The 1st Estate Clergy Made up 0.5% of the population
Owned 10% of the land
Not taxed
High officials given noble titles
Strong influence on government
Parish priests were very poor
Established social services (hospitals and schools)

3. The 2nd Estate Nobles Made up 1.5% of the population
Owned 20% of the land
Not taxed, but losing wealth
Received the best government jobs
Under strict royal control
Resented the middle class for infringing on rights traditionally reserved for nobles
Resented the monarchy for allowing middle class to gain power

4. The 3rd Estate Peasants Made up 98% of the population
Owned 70% of the land
Bourgeoisie (middle class) – bankers, merchants, lawyers, and doctors (6%)
Peasant farmers (90%)
City workers and journeymen (2%)
Heavily taxed
Limited rights
No say in government

5. Population and Land Ownership in France, 1789
Percent of Population
Percent of Land

6. Economic Crisis
Deficit Spending – when the government spends more than it takes in
Solution – increase taxes (1st and 2nd estates) or cut spending
Poor harvest caused increase in food prices

16. Cahiers 3rd Estate begins to riot
2nd Estate demands a meeting of the Estates General
Each Estate gets 1 vote
Viewed as an opportunity to guarantee rights and limit power of monarchy
King Louis XVI asks all three estates to prepare lists of grievances (cahiers)

17. Cahiers

18. Tennis Court Oath The Estate could not agree on how to vote
3rd Estate formed the National Assembly and asked members of the other Estates to join.
Representation based on percent of population
Louis XVI locked 3rd Estate out of Estates General
The National Assembly signed the Tennis Court Oath, promising not to disband until France had a constitution.

19. The Storming of the Bastille

20. The Storming of the Bastille
Peasants attacked a royal French prison
The goal was to free political prisoners, acquire weapons, and food
Did not accomplish any of its goals
Symbolic of the peasants willingness to use force against the government

21. The Storming of the Bastille