1. Let’s Get Situated…… It is the early 18 th century (1700’s) in Europe. The Crusades, the Black Plague, and even the Renaissance years are long past. Left behind are legacies of curiosity, innovation, and learning. There are also intense power struggles between rulers over control of newly explored global territories.

2. Corruption & Greed on the Throne Power-hungry European kings were driven by greed & religious motives. Many believed in divine right, which gave them God’s authority to rule. Maintained very lavish lifestyles supported by tax dollars. Average citizens struggled under heavy tax burdens. In many areas, peasants were starving & homeless. Conditions were terrible. Citizen’s discontent grew as they watched leaders ignore the needs of the people.

3. Who Was the Greatest Offender? King Louis XIV of France (r. 1643-1715) As an absolute monarch, he was in control of every aspect of French citizens’ lives. – Believed his whole kingdom revolved only around him! – Lived extravagantly, while heavy taxes kept most of his subjects living in poverty with barely enough to eat. – Very disconnected from his people: felt that he was only was only responsible to answer to God, not to his subjects. “The Sun King”

4. And Then, the Enlightenment! Unhappiness with gov’t corruption led to critical thought on the topic of society. Above all, the Enlightenment was about: Reason (scientific methods) Individualism (rights of man) Philosophes – “lovers of wisdom” – French name given to thinkers who applied methods of science to the improvement of society. – Philosophes gathered to discuss their ideas in salons, where they could exchange ideas.

5. What influence did the Enlightenment have? American values (freedom of speech, religious tolerance, balanced government, etc). Economic principles – supply and demand; free markets These ideas were NOT always well received by rulers, who considered them a threat to their security. Governments tried to protect themselves by censoring, or blocking access to new ideas.

6. Are people good or evil? GoodEvil

7. Thomas Hobbes Govt. should be absolute monarchy; people are naturally selfish & evil. Social Contract – people give up their freedom in exchange for an ordered society based on law. John Locke Govt. should preserve life, liberty and property. People have a right to revolution if govt doesn’t protect rights. Baron de Montesquieu Govt. should have 3 branches to avoid any one person or group getting too powerful. This is known as separation of powers. Voltaire Freedom of speech & religious tolerance. Separation of church & state. Denis Diderot Philosophical thought should be available to all; wrote the first Encyclopedia. Jean-Jacques Rousseau People are good; society corrupts. The individual should serve the community. Gov’t should be based on the will of the people. Mary Wollstonecraft Gender equality will be achieved by educating women, who are just as useful & capable as men. Adam Smith Govt. should not be involved in economics (free trade: laissez-faire)

8. United States Declaration of Independence “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

10. Look at the picture on the left and describe what you think the artist wanted to symbolize. Who is on the bottom? Who is on top? Who is in the middle? Who is the odd man out?

11. What Were France’s 3 Estates? First Estate: Clergy.5% of the people Owned 10% of the land Collected tithes, but paid no taxes Second Estate: Nobles 1.5% of the people Owned 20% of the land Held top jobs; paid no taxes Third Estate: Everyone Else 98% of people broken into two groups 10% of the group were Bourgeoisie, or middle class – owned 20% of the land, very wealthy 90% were rural peasant farmers or urban laborers

12. Was France Running Out of $$$? Deficit Spending: What is a deficit? Spent ½ of income on interest from borrowed $. First and Second estates refused to pay taxes, or cut spending. Crown spent millions living extravagant lifestyle. Verge of bankruptcy: Riots spread over lack of food King Louis XVI summons the Estates General. All 3 estates listed grievances (problems) focused on class differences. Each estate only represented by a single vote, so First and Second always ganged up on the Third.

13. What Role Did King Louis the XVI Play? Support for the Americans in the Revolutionary War against England led to bankruptcy for France. King raised taxes on hungry peasants. Called a meeting of the Estates General (class representatives) that incited change. Loses the Bastille and the French Revolution begins! Grandson of the self- proclaimed “Sun King”.