1. French Revolution Begins

2. The Old Regime Social and political system in 1770’s France
People were divided into social classes called Estates

4. The First Estate Clergy of the Catholic Church Owned 10% of land
Provided education and relief services for the poor
Contributed 2% of income to government

5. The Second Estate Rich nobles (2% of population) Owned 20% of the land
Paid almost no taxes

6. The Third Estate 97% of population

7. Bourgeoisie middle class
bankers, factory owners, merchants, professionals, skilled artisans
educated, believers of Enlightenment ideas
some wealthy as nobles but paid high taxes

8. Workers Poorest group, often hungry and out of work
Trades people, apprentices, laborers, domestic servants

9. Peasants Largest group of 3rd estate 80% of population
Largest group of 3rd estate
80% of population
Paid half of income to nobles, tithes to Church, & taxes

10. Enlightenment ideas Equality, liberty and democracy
helped push the forces of change in France

11. Economic Woes Crops failures past debt Weak Leader
Louis XVI: king of France
did nothing
Marie Antoinette: queen of France
spent tax money all on her lavish lifestyle

12. Supersizers clips

13. Estates-General France’s legislative body
Delegates (representatives) from all three estates
Each estate has 1 vote
The wealthy two top estates could easily out vote the third estate representative

14. National Assembly 3rd Estate delegates
decided to pass laws & reforms for all French people
June 17, 1789: Nat’l Assembly voted to end absolute monarchy & start a representative government
Seen as an act of revolution & were locked out of Estates-General meetings

15. Tennis Court Oath June 20, 1789:
National Assembly meets in indoor tennis court
A pledge is taken by members to draw up a new constitution for France
Some nobles and clergy joined

16. Rumors lead to Revolution
King Louis would use military to disband the National Assembly
Troops headed to Paris to massacre citizens
Fear & anger lead population to defend itself

17. Storming of the Bastille
July 14, 1789
France’s independence day
The Bastille-a Parisian prison & armory
Citizens overwhelmed the king’s troops & raid the armory

18. The Great Fear a period of panic and riot by peasants and others
Peasants burned their nobles' chateaux, monasteries and buildings which housed public records
targeted records of feudal obligations