1. The French Revolution Begins
7.1
The French Revolution Begins

2. Estates Estates = social classes 1st Estate = Clergy/Church officials
Own 10% of land
Contributes 2% of income to gvt.
2nd Estate = Rich nobles
2% of population
Own 20% of land
Pay no taxes
3rd Estate = middle class & poor citizens
97% of population
Pay high taxes – 50% of income

3. Economic Problems
High taxes, bad weather, cost of living increase = problems
France helps U.S. in Revolutionary War
Doubles national debt
Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette spend much $$ for personal reasons

4. Louis XVI Louis XVI = weak leader
Indecisive, doesn’t follow advisers, pays little attention to gvt. details
Marie Antoinette adds to problems
Austrian
Enjoys spending $$
Offers poor advice to Louis
VERY UNPOPULAR
Louis ignores $$ problems

5. Estates-General Estates-General = congress of France
To raise $$, Louis taxes 2nd Estate
2nd Estate forces Louis to call Estates-General into session
1st & 2nd Estate dominate Estates-General
3rd Estate wants better representation in government
3rd Estate creates “National Assembly” & end absolute monarchy

6. National Assembly Rumors fly around France
Military to be used to stop Natl. Assembly
Foreign troops coming to France
Rumors cause people to gather weapons
Mobs form
Mob storms Bastille (a prison) – symbol of French freedom; July 14 = natl. holiday in France
“Great Fear” sweeps France
Riots across the country