1. “Let them eat cake!”- Marie Antoinette
French Revolution
“Let them eat cake!”- Marie Antoinette

2. Problems in France Land controlled by 1st and 2nd estates
1st estate- clergy (130,000 people)
2nd estate-the rich and nobility (350,000 people)
3rd estate- peasants and poor (27,000,000)

3. 7 years war and American Revolution
After the 7 years war France was broke.
Entering the American Revolution caused more debt
The King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette also spent money on lavish parties, and luxuries
Taxed 3rd estate to pay for debt

4. General Assembly Meeting held by 3 estates to solve problems
3rd estate locked out
Met at a Tennis Court
Tennis Court Oath- vows to rebel and change country

5. Storming of the Bastille
Mob of peasants decided to revolt against the King
Peasants invade an old French fort (called the Bastille) which houses weapons.
Starts revolution

6. Louis XVI Tried to use force against the third Estate.
Lost the trust of his royal troops (many were peasants).
Peasant rebellions became part of the Great Fear.
Peasants feared foreign countries would invade to prevent other revolutions.

7. New Declaration
Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen- rights for French people :Liberty, Property, security, and resistance to Oppression.

8. King Concedes
Louis XVI remained in Versailles but power is limited under new national convention
Austria and Prussia invade to keep Louis XVI in power (want to prevent revolutions in their country) it fails

9. The first Republic
A national convention met and created a new constitution.
Abolished monarchy.
King Louis XVI beheaded
Revolutionaries used the Guillotine to execute
Led by Maximilien Robespierre.