1. The French Revolution:
7.1
The French Revolution:
Revolution Threatens the French King
MAIN IDEA:
Economic & social inequalities in the Old Regime
French Revolution
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2. The Old Regime
1770s: France ruled by the Old Regime: system of feudalism
unequal society
French citizens divided into Estates: social classes
First Estate
Second Estate
Third Estate

3. FIRST ESTATE
Roman Catholic clergy
Owned 10 % of land but paid few taxes
Scorned Enlightenment ideas
SECOND ESTATE
Rich nobles, 2% of population
Owned 20% of land
Held highest government offices
Disagreed on Enlightenment ideas
THIRD ESTATE
97% of population:
Bourgeoisie, workers, & peasant farmers
Heavily taxed and no govn’t power
Embraced Enlightenment ideas
Dissatisfied and wanted change

4. Forces of Change 3 Factors led to revolution: Enlightenment Ideas:
equality, liberty, democracy
American Revolution
2. Economic Troubles
High taxes & inflation
Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette are extravagant
national debt doubles
—banks refuse to lend more money
3. Louis XVI = Weak Leader
Marie Antoinette unpopular
Tries to tax aristocrats
Forced to call Estates-General: representatives from all three estates

5. Revolution Dawns Estates-General:
Third Estate always outvoted under rules—now want each delegate to have a vote
Third Estate breaks away
National Assembly: congress to make reforms
Beginning of representative government in France
Tennis Court Oath: promise to write new constitution for France

6. Storming the Bastille
• Rumors spread that Louis will suppress National Assembly
Swiss guards sent to Paris—citizens panic
• July 14, 1789: Bastille Day
Mob attacks and seizes Bastille to get gunpowder
symbol of revolution

7. A Great Fear Sweeps France
Great Fear: wave of panic and violence
Peasants destroy legal papers binding them to feudal system
October 1789: Parisian women revolt over rising price of bread
storm Versailles & force Louis to return to Paris