The French Revolution The Beginning

Take a position on the following statement. The true revolutionaries in history are not those who take up arms to fight the battles, but those who take up the pen to write new ideas.

The beginning of the end of the Ancien Regime (Old Regime) Age of Enlightenment: A call for the end of privilege A call for the need of constitutions An end of Absolutism Constitutional Monarchy Liberalism A rigid social hierarchy: A call for separation of church from state A call for a more inclusive political climate: pluralism

Economic crisis Government spending: Extravagant palaces Over ambitious wars:  Seven Years War  American Revolution Need for tax reform was challenged: Nobles Peasants and bourgeoisie

Weak leadership: Louis the XVI was weak Cared more about court life than his nation Wife strongly influenced him (Marie Antoinette)

France supplied troops + materials to American Revolutionaries: Exposure to revolutionary ideas: The idea of a republic Liberal freedoms for all men Taking up of arms against tyranny