1. The French Revolution

2. Before the Revolution… The ways of the Ancien Regime were entrenched in society The Enlightenment, of which French philisophes were at the forefront, radically altered people’s perceptions of society.

3. France was on the outside looking in... Enlightened Despots Constitutional Monarchies

4. The American Revolution (1775-1783) Revolution based on the ideals of prominent Enlightened figures like Locke, Paine and Rousseau. The French assist America in their victory- unnecessarily draining their bankroll

5. The state of rural France before the Revolution Increased taxes weighed heavily on the peasants of France as the upper estates demanded more and more from them. Less was left for the family and poverty was forever casting a shadow on their lives. Increased taxes weighed heavily on the peasants of France as the upper estates demanded more and more from them. Less was left for the family and poverty was forever casting a shadow on their lives. Unemployment increased due to new agriculture techniques. Unemployment increased due to new agriculture techniques.

6. Urban Centers The division between the rich and poor was ever increasing in the cities. The mob was restless. The division between the rich and poor was ever increasing in the cities. The mob was restless.

7. Louis XVI The ill state of France has much to do with the monarchy. The ill state of France has much to do with the monarchy. Louis XVI takes over in 1774 (20 years old). His reign is a series of disappointments. Louis XVI takes over in 1774 (20 years old). His reign is a series of disappointments. Even though his ministers tried to lead him to reform, Louis XVI quickly bankrupts France. Even though his ministers tried to lead him to reform, Louis XVI quickly bankrupts France.

8. Marie Antoinette does not improve the situation... “Madame Deficit”

9. The Eve of the Revolution By 1788 France was almost completely bankrupt due to the American Revolutionary war. By 1788 France was almost completely bankrupt due to the American Revolutionary war. The Monarchy has to call on the Estates- General to raise taxes due to the dire situation The Monarchy has to call on the Estates- General to raise taxes due to the dire situation

10. The Eve of Revolution con’t The Estates General agrees on a number of issues: The Estates General agrees on a number of issues: Hereditary monarchy Hereditary monarchy Representative assembly to supervise gov’t Representative assembly to supervise gov’t Proportional taxation Proportional taxation Decentralized gov’t Decentralized gov’t

11. Disagreement came about when the 3 rd Estate wanted consideration of a constitution and opportunity in the government. Disagreement came about when the 3 rd Estate wanted consideration of a constitution and opportunity in the government. Each Estate only had one vote- the 1 st and 2 nd always voted together. Each Estate only had one vote- the 1 st and 2 nd always voted together. When the disagreement further escalated, Louis locked the 3 rd Estate out of the meeting hall. When the disagreement further escalated, Louis locked the 3 rd Estate out of the meeting hall.

12. The Tennis Court Oath June 20 th 1789 The 3 rd Estate gathered in a tennis court and swore themselves in as the true National Assembly of France. The 3 rd Estate gathered in a tennis court and swore themselves in as the true National Assembly of France. The oath pitted national will against the monarchy. The oath pitted national will against the monarchy.

13. Civil Disorder in France In the streets of Paris it was believed that the King was going to bring in troops. In the streets of Paris it was believed that the King was going to bring in troops. In an effort to arm themselves the mob stormed the Bastille for weapons, but it turned into something much more. In an effort to arm themselves the mob stormed the Bastille for weapons, but it turned into something much more.

14. Storming the Bastille July 14, 1789: a crowd stormed and burned the Paris prison (a symbol of state oppression). Power was now in the streets. July 14, 1789: a crowd stormed and burned the Paris prison (a symbol of state oppression). Power was now in the streets.

15. National Constituent Assembly The 3 rd Estate now has full control over the country. The 3 rd Estate now has full control over the country. The first wave of Aristocracy leave the country. Feudal privileges of the Ancien regime are surrendered. The first wave of Aristocracy leave the country. Feudal privileges of the Ancien regime are surrendered. The monarchy is moved from Versailles to Paris. The monarchy is moved from Versailles to Paris. A new constitution is written- The Declaration of the Rights of Man A new constitution is written- The Declaration of the Rights of Man

16. Changes made by the NCA France divided by active and passive citizens France divided by active and passive citizens -Active citizens: 25yrs. and up, pay taxes, could serve in National Guard, could vote -Passive citizen: Children, women, criminals Provincial boundaries changed Provincial boundaries changed Intendants were replaced by elected officials. Intendants were replaced by elected officials.