1. What are some of the forms a revolution can take?
What is a Revolution?
What are some of the forms a revolution can take?
What are the major characteristics of revolution?
What are some of the reasons a revolution can occur?
What are the major causes of a revolution?
What are the pros and cons of a revolution?

2. Welcome to: The French Revolution

3. Louis XV was the grandson of Louis XIV, “The Sun King”
France under Louis XV
In the late 18th century, France was ruled by an absolute monarchy under Louis XV
Louis XV was the grandson of Louis XIV, “The Sun King”
Young, but very involved in the politics of the court
Pronounced King in 1715, but too young to rule
Duke of Orleans ( )
Cardinal de Fleury ( )
Diplomatic alliances in Europe
Anglo-Austrian Alliance
Franco-Prussian Alliance

4. France under Louis XV continued…
War of Austrian succession and the Treaty Aix- la-Chappelle (1668)
Diplomatic re-alliance:
Treaty of Westminster (1756) (Anglo-Prussian alliance)
Westminster Convention
British assistance in exchange for Prussia’s protection of France’s European interests
Treaty of Versailles (1756): Franco-Austrian alliance
mutual assistance if attacked by other powers

5. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
Louis XVI was the grandson of Louis XV
Absolute monarchy
16 May Louis XVI was married to Marie Antoinette in a lavish ceremony at Versailles to cement the alliance between France and Austria
Marie Antoinette was the daughter of Austrian Monarch Maria Teresa
Both were very young at the time of marriage
How did the French people respond?
Acceptance
Uncertainty

6. Versailles and Life in the Court…
Court Life
Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette lived in the luxury created by Louis XIV at Versailles.
While Marie Antoinette enjoyed the lavish lifestyle of the court, her husband Louis XVI was very reserved
Parties, balls, and festivities characterized courtyard life in the late 18th century
Cultural influence:
On the eve of the French Revolution, the French Empire was the strongest in Europe and dominated economically, socially, and culturally. “France was the first power of Europe and the World.” (Metcalf, 10).
Language
Art: late Baroque/Roccoco period
Thomas R. Metcalf. Revolutionary Era in Europe. Toronto: Forum House Publishing, 1970, 10.

7. In fact, life outside the court told quite a different story…
Financial Crisis
Despite the lavish lifestyle of the court, the French Monarch was in severe debt
Expenses of Seven Years War and American Revolution
In fact, life outside the court told quite a different story…