1. The Old Regime French Rev. Begins Topic Explanation
Old Regime—social and political system in France during the 1770s
Estates—three social classes of France’s Old Regime

2. UNJUST government????

3. The 3rd Estate French Rev. Begins Explanation Topic
The privileged Estates
The 3rd Estate
1st Estate—Catholic clergy—1% population, own 10 % land, few taxes
2nd Estate—rich nobles—2 % population, own 20 % land, no taxes
3rd Estate = 97 percent of people are peasants, urban workers, middle class
Have few privileges, pay heavy taxes, want change

4. SECTION 1
continued The Old Order
French satire on inequality of taxation: caricature of over-taxed peasant carrying a nobleman and a cleric on his back. Engraving, 1789.
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5. Economic Troubles French Rev. Begins Topic Explanation
Enlightenment ideas
Economic Troubles
3rd Estate is inspired by these ideas
High taxes and rising costs damage economy by 1780s
King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette known for extravagance
Louis doubles nation’s debt; banks refuse to lend more money

6. A weak leader French Rev. Begins Topic Explanation
Louis’s poor decisions and lack of patience add to France’s problems
He calls Estates-General—meeting of representatives from all three estates (1st time in 175 years)
A weak leader

7. 1st meeting of Estates-General in

8. Right Wing vs. Left Wing

9. Left Wing vs. Right Wing

10. French Rev. Begins Topic Explanation National Assembly
Third Estate has little power under old rules
Third Estate sets up National Assembly—new legislature to make reforms
Tennis Court Oath—delegates decide to write new constitution for France
National Assembly

11. Tennis Court Oath

12. French Rev. Begins Topic Explanation Storming the Bastille
Rumors fly in Paris that Louis wants to suppress National Assembly
Mob attacks and seizes Bastille, killing guards on July 14, 1789
Storming the Bastille

15. Rebellion French Rev. Begins Topic Explanation
Rumors and panic spread throughout France
Great Fear—attacks by peasants taking place across France
Peasants destroy legal papers binding them to feudal system
Rebellion