1. Knowledge Connections
Vocabulary 
Estates
Term
Definition
Knowledge Connections
Picture

2. What were the causes of the French Revolution?
Essential Question
What were the causes of the French Revolution?

3. The French people had many reasons to revolt
Why were the French people upset?
The French people had many reasons to revolt
Unfair social divisions
Unequal tax burdens
Government debt
Financial crisis

4. Everybody in France belonged to one of the three ESTATES
How were social divisions unfair?
Cause #1: Unfair Social Divisions
Everybody in France belonged to one of the three ESTATES
Social classes
First Estate
Second Estate
Third Estate
Clergy
Nobles
Everyone else
.5% of the population
1.5% of the population
98% of the population

5. How was taxation unequal?
Cause #2: Unequal Tax Burdens
Taxes Paid
First Estate: 0%
Second Estate: 0%
Third Estate: 100%
The Third Estate had no voice in government, however it paid all of the nations taxes

6. Why was the government in debt?
Cause #3: Government Debts
The French monarchy was in debt for a number of reasons:
Royal spending on luxuries
Costly wars (French and Indian War, American Revolution)
First and Second Estates refusal to pay taxes

7. What had caused a financial crisis?
Cause #4: Financial Crisis
The growing French population increased the demand for goods
Prices and the cost of living rose were on the rise as well

8. How did King Louis XVI respond?
In May 1789, King Louis XVI call a meeting of the ESTATES-GENERAL
A lawmaking made up of representatives from all three estates
Each estate had 1 vote a piece – meaning the First and Second Estate could always outvote the Third Estate

9. What did the Third Estate want?
The Third Estate wanted more votes since they represented 98% of the population
The King refused

10. They began working on a new constitution….
What was the plan of the Third Estate?
The Third Estate declared itself the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY and intended to create a new government…
They began working on a new constitution….
revolution would soon begin…

11. What were the causes of the French Revolution?
Essential Question
What were the causes of the French Revolution?

12. French Revolution