1. Do Now: in your groups, answer questions 1 – 3 from The 3 Estates of France

2. Draw & fill out the Social Class Triangle of French Society:

3. Bourgeoisie* – middle–class or the working class people Urban/Rural – city, country Estates General* – a French legislative body made up of clergy, nobles & common people, such as businessmen & peasants. Declaration of the Rights of Man – written by the National Assembly in 1789, it stated that all men have natural rights, the freedom of religion & fixed the unequal tax system in France. Limited Monarchy* – a government in which the King or Queen has some power; it’s the opposite of an absolute monarchy.

4. French society before the revolutionFrench society after the revolution -The Catholic church was the largest landowner in France -Citizens in the 3 rd Estate were denied basic human rights (property & free speech) -Most peasants were serfs. They rented farmland from abusive landowners in exchange for a percentage of their crops. -French king Louis XVI rules with absolute (total)power. -French Congress (Estates General) is controlled by the powerful 1 st & 2 nd Estate. -Lands are taken from the church & given to those who were working the land. -Declaration of the Rights of Man – grants basic human rights to all citizens regardless of social class. -Serfs revolted against landowners & seized property -Political power is mostly removed from the king making him a limited monarch -The Estates General, led by the 3 rd Estate, now holds most of the political power.

5. Which class benefitted the most during the French Revolution? Which class benefitted the least?