1. Section I: Beginning of the French Revolution (Pages 434-441) This section is about: This section is about: How political ideas, foreign revolutions, and economic problems led to the French Revolution. How political ideas, foreign revolutions, and economic problems led to the French Revolution. The makeup of French society before the revolution, the lifestyles and actions of the monarchy, the effects of those factors on the people, and the sweeping government changes proposed by the Estates- General when it met in 1789. The makeup of French society before the revolution, the lifestyles and actions of the monarchy, the effects of those factors on the people, and the sweeping government changes proposed by the Estates- General when it met in 1789.

2. Let’s start part way in, and then go back to the beginning: On page 434: look at the 4 sections in this chapter. Let’s also read about what’s coming up in a little bit: the reading on that page (and the picture that goes with it).

3. Beginnings of the French Revolution Page 436: Look at the “ Main Ideas. ” Page 436: Look at the “ Main Ideas. ” Several things led to the French Revolution: Several things led to the French Revolution: 1. The Enlightenment 2. Revolutions in Great Britain and America 3. Government spending and corruption

4. The Enlightenment… …was based on ideas of reason and tolerance and the acceptance and respect of beliefs different from one ’ s own. …was based on ideas of reason and tolerance and the acceptance and respect of beliefs different from one ’ s own. Individual freedom and equality. Individual freedom and equality. Right of self-government. Right of self-government. Freedom of Religion. Freedom of Religion. Freedom of speech and thought without censorship. Freedom of speech and thought without censorship. In France, people with these ideas were still being sent to prisons. In France, people with these ideas were still being sent to prisons. But people were still hearing about the ideas (books, coffee houses, salons). But people were still hearing about the ideas (books, coffee houses, salons).

5. Revolutions in Great Britain and America Great Britain had become a constitutional monarchy (with elected representatives in Parliament). Great Britain had become a constitutional monarchy (with elected representatives in Parliament). America ’ s new government relied on Enlightenment ideas. America ’ s new government relied on Enlightenment ideas. The government of France was worried: these ideas were a threat to their power The government of France was worried: these ideas were a threat to their power

6. France ’ s Economy By 1789, French people (the poor mostly) were paying A LOT in taxes (foreign wars). By 1789, French people (the poor mostly) were paying A LOT in taxes (foreign wars). The government then decided to put higher taxes on landowners. The government then decided to put higher taxes on landowners. France ended up borrowing money from other European banks. France ended up borrowing money from other European banks. The people were mad because they could see the wasteful spending of the monarchy (Versailles). The people were mad because they could see the wasteful spending of the monarchy (Versailles).

7. At the same time, the French had a year of horrible weather, unemployment, and inflation. At the same time, the French had a year of horrible weather, unemployment, and inflation. The people started riots – often times just trying to get food. The people started riots – often times just trying to get food. The only solution was to call a government meeting (the Estates General). The only solution was to call a government meeting (the Estates General). This was a group that was supposed to give advice to the government (even though they hadn ’ t met in 150 years). This was a group that was supposed to give advice to the government (even though they hadn ’ t met in 150 years).

8. French Society : Since the middle ages: everyone belonged to one of three ranks (estates) The First Estate The Second Estate The Third Estate The clergy: priests, bishops, and high ranking Roman Catholics. The clergy: priests, bishops, and high ranking Roman Catholics. They did not have to pay taxes (even though they owned a lot of land). They did not have to pay taxes (even though they owned a lot of land). But… peasants had to pay 1/10 th of their income to the church. But… peasants had to pay 1/10 th of their income to the church. These people usually lived in pretty nice places. These people usually lived in pretty nice places. Aristocracy/nobles who had wealth and titles. Aristocracy/nobles who had wealth and titles. They did not have to pay taxes. They did not have to pay taxes. They owned most of the land the Church didn ’ t. They owned most of the land the Church didn ’ t. They were the only people who could hold high government offices. They were the only people who could hold high government offices. They were required to spend a certain amount of time each year They were required to spend a certain amount of time each year at Versailles. The rest of the people (about 98%): Peasants, artisans, business people. The rest of the people (about 98%): Peasants, artisans, business people. They paid taxes. They paid taxes. During the 1700 ’ s: a bourgeoisie class was developing (middle class). During the 1700 ’ s: a bourgeoisie class was developing (middle class). They were educated, had some money, and wanted to be involved in control of the country. They were educated, had some money, and wanted to be involved in control of the country.

10. The French Monarchy Louis XIV: believed in rule by divine right. Louis XIV: believed in rule by divine right. Louis XV and Louis XVI tried to rule the same way, but they were weak and ineffective. Louis XV and Louis XVI tried to rule the same way, but they were weak and ineffective.

11. Louis XV Was actually given the crown when he was 5. Was actually given the crown when he was 5. Someone else ruled until he was 26, and by that time, he was used to other people running the country and he didn ’ t really want to. Someone else ruled until he was 26, and by that time, he was used to other people running the country and he didn ’ t really want to. There were more costly wars, and France was DEEPLY in debt. There were more costly wars, and France was DEEPLY in debt. He was not very intelligent - or interested in fixing the country. He was not very intelligent - or interested in fixing the country. When he was dying, he knew he had messed up the country. When he was dying, he knew he had messed up the country.

12. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette Louis XVI inherited an empty treasury and unhappy subjects. Louis XVI inherited an empty treasury and unhappy subjects. His wife (Marie Antoinette) liked spending money though - dresses, parties, life at Versailles – all while the people were starving. His wife (Marie Antoinette) liked spending money though - dresses, parties, life at Versailles – all while the people were starving. The people felt their tax money should go back to improving their life, not to support the Queen ’ s lifestyle. The people felt their tax money should go back to improving their life, not to support the Queen ’ s lifestyle. Louis XVI was also weak and had to bring back the Estates General – a move that would eventually mean an end to the French monarchy. Louis XVI was also weak and had to bring back the Estates General – a move that would eventually mean an end to the French monarchy.

13. From Estates General to National Assembly The Estates General met on May 5 th, 1789 (first time in 175 years). The Estates General met on May 5 th, 1789 (first time in 175 years). This was the start of a revolution in France. This was the start of a revolution in France.

14. Meeting at Versailles At the meeting of the E.G.: Louis was gracious to the people of the First and Second Estates. At the meeting of the E.G.: Louis was gracious to the people of the First and Second Estates. He ignored the Third Estate. He ignored the Third Estate. When they had votes, the First and Second Estates always won (2-1) over the Third Estate. When they had votes, the First and Second Estates always won (2-1) over the Third Estate. They were not going to change a system that protected all their privileges. They were not going to change a system that protected all their privileges.

15. The National Assembly Not much was settled – deadlocked for about a month. Not much was settled – deadlocked for about a month. On June 17 th, the Third Estate convinced the First Estate to side with them. On June 17 th, the Third Estate convinced the First Estate to side with them. The voted to set up a national assembly. The voted to set up a national assembly. They were kicked out of the conference rooms at Versailles and had to continue to meet at the royal indoor tennis court. They were kicked out of the conference rooms at Versailles and had to continue to meet at the royal indoor tennis court. There: the took “ the Tennis Court Oath ” – to continue to meet when circumstances required it. There: the took “ the Tennis Court Oath ” – to continue to meet when circumstances required it. This was the first steps of the French Revolution. This was the first steps of the French Revolution.

16. “ The Tennis Court Oath ”