1. Causes of the French Revolution
Learning Target: Describe the factors, that led to the French Revolution

2. What were the causes? Three estates Unfair tax system
Social inequality
Nobility
2% of Pop
Owned 25% of land
Held all govt. and
military positions
Paid no taxes
Received Feudal Dues
Catholic Clergy
1% of Pop.
Owned 5-10% of Land
Received 10% Tithe
Paid no taxes
1st nd
Estate Estate
3rd Estate
1st estate - about 100,000 Roman Catholic clergy
2nd Estate
Bourgeoisie
Artisans
Peasants
97% of Population
Paid all of the taxes
No Voice in Government
Inspired by Enlightenment Ideas

3. The Three Estates

4. What were the causes? 2. Enlightenment Ideas/American Rev.
Belief all men should have natural rights
Right to overthrow an unjust gov’t
Equality for all
American Revolution
Dec. of Independence
Constitution

5. What were the causes? 3. King Louis XVI’s Weak Leadership 19 years old
Indecisive

6. What were the causes 4. Economic Problems
Wars: 7 Years War/French & Indian, American Revolution
Louis XVI lifestyle
Economic Depression
Crop failures
Unemployment

7. Which of the following is not a cause of the French Revolution?
Unfair class system
Unfair taxes
Ignoring the Magna Carta
Expenses from the American Revolution
Excessive spending by the King 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

8. France’s Situation
France’s Government is in extreme debt. Half of France’s debt is contributed to war, especially money owed for helping the US gain independence. The Government is near bankruptcy and the banks are refusing to lend money to the troubled country.
Recent crop failures have caused a shortage in food, making famine a real possibility. Yet the newspapers publish stories about King Louis’ lash parties and his wife’s extreme spending habits. Assuming the role you were assigned yesterday, what would you do to solve the problems in France?

9. King Called the Estates General to “convince” the 1st and 2nd Estate to pay taxes

10. What is the Estates General?
Legislative body, similar to parliament
Had not met since 1614 ( 179 years!)
Made up of members from all 3 Estates
Each Estate has one Vote

11. Estates General Voting
Each estate only received one vote
1 Vote First Estate
Clergy
1 Vote Second Estate Nobles Third Estate
1 Vote Commoners

12. Estates General Situation
. The Estates General has members from each Estate but each only has one vote regardless of the population. The Nobles and the clergy plan to force the third estate to pay even more taxes so they don’t have to. 2 votes against 1
Is there another alternative?

13. 1 Vote per Representative
Another Solution
300 Members 1st Estate
300 Members 2nd Estate
648 Members 3rd Estate
1 Vote per Representative

14. Third Estate outvoted - what should they do?
Established the National Assembly – a new legislative body
One vote per representative
Members of the 3rd Estate, later joined by other estates
Pledged the Tennis
Court Oath
Marks the beginning
of the Moderate Phase
of the Revolution

15. What is the Tennis Court Oath?
National Assembly’s pledge to write a new constitution making France a ____________________

16. The Tennis Court Oath was when:
A. Robespierre vowed to form a republic in France
B. The 3rd estate vowed to make a constitution
C. The National Assembly issued a document giving equal rights to men
D. Napoleon vowed to blockade England until it suffered 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

17. What was the Spark? King Mobilized Troops
3rd Estate feared King would dissolve the National Assembly
The Spark:
The Bastille
is stormed

18. What is the Storming of The Bastille?
Bastille – a prison where weapons and prisoners were held
A mob charged the prison to steal weapons and free 7 prisoners
97 rioters killed
Symbol of French Independence
July 14, 1789

19. A. Creation of the National Assembly B. Tennis Court Oath
Which of the following events is the symbolic beginning of the French Revolution?
A. Creation of the National Assembly
B. Tennis Court Oath
C. Storming of the Bastille
D. March on Versailles 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30