1. Revolution Threatens the French King

2. Pre-Revolution France
Most advanced country in Europe
Center of the Enlightenment
Culture emulated by the rest of the world
Great unrest caused by:
High Prices
High taxes
Questions raised by Enlightenment ideas of Rousseau and Voltaire

3. The Old Regime Three Estates (social classes) 1st Estate: 2nd Estate:
Clergy
Owned 10% of the land
Contributed just 2% of income to the government
2nd Estate:
Rich nobles (land owners)
Owned 20% of the land
Paid no taxes

4. The Old Regime Third Estate 98% of the people
Divided into three groups
Bourgeoisie: Merchants and artisans
Workers: Poorer, low wages, often hungry
Peasants: 80% of the people; Bound to the land
The Third Estate heavily taxed and discontented (unhappy)

5. Forces of Change New ideas about the power of the people take hold.
Poor harvests, heavy taxes, and government debt caused instability.
Louis XVI tried to tax the nobles; Nobles forced him to call a meeting of the Estates-General in order to approve tax reform

6. Revolution Dawns
Third Estate delegates in the Estates-General demand more rights
Third Estate delegates vote to establish the National Assembly;
They take the Tennis Court Oath

7. Revolution Dawns
Peasants overthrow the Bastille on July 14, 1789 and the revolution begins in earnest

8. Great Fear Sweeps France
A senseless panic called the Great Fear leads to great destruction in the countryside
Women angered by the price of bread march on Versailles and compel the king and queen to move to Paris