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France on the Eve of Revolution
Chapter 3 Section 1
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I. Trouble starts: Louis XIV (14th): Reigned 1643-1715
Believed he was the “sun king” (“I am the state.) Built the Palace of Versailles in honor of himself
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Versailles
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Versailles
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Versailles
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II. France in 1789 Still used a medieval social system called The Three Estates. (feudalism). Estate: social class First Estate Clergy Second Estate Nobility Bourgeoisie Peasants Third Estate
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The Three Estates: 1st: Clergy- very rich; paid no taxes
2nd: Nobility- included king; top gov’t jobs; paid no taxes 3rd: Very diverse Bourgeoisie- middle class. Usually educated, fairly wealthy. Doctors, lawyers, professors, merchants… Rural peasants- farmers Urban workers- city workers. Poorest members of society- included criminals, beggars.
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Financial Trouble National debt due to deficit spending: government spends more money than it takes in. Wars Luxuries for royal court Irresponsible spending Led to an increase in the price of bread.
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The King and Queen Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
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The King and Queen Louis XVI: Marie Antoinette: Reigned 1774-1792
Weak, ineffective Wanted to be a locksmith Marie Antoinette: Originally from Austria Most hated woman in France
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III. Louis XVI calls the “Estates-General”
Estates-General: a legislative body representing all 3 estates 3rd estate had most reps. Hadn’t met in 175 years. Each estate got one vote, so the 1st and 2nd estates always outvoted the 3rd.
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The Estates-General 3rd estate demanded votes be counted “per head”, and were denied. 3rd estate walked out of the meeting. At a nearby tennis court, they took the Tennis Court Oath- to stay united and work for a fair constitution.
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IV. The Bastille Rumors of the king plotting against the Third Estate led to tension. July 14, 1789: Crowd of Parisians stormed the Bastille: an old prison and fortress used to store weapons. Crowd killed the guards, tore apart the building, took the weapons, and marched toward Versailles. France’s independence day.
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Storming of the Bastille
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