Chapter 18, Section 1 On the Eve of Revolution

I. Introduction What prompted the revolution in France? –A–A–A–April 18, 1789: Unrest at a Paris wallpaper factory Employer was rumored to cut wages to his workers while bread prices were soaring –W–W–W–Workers vandalized the owner’s home By July of 1789, the hungry, underpaid and unemployed people of Paris took up arms…

II. French Society Divided 1789: France still held to a ancien regime = “old order” –E–E–E–Everyone was divided into one of 3 classes or estates 1. clergy 2. nobility 3. vast majority of the population

III. The Clergy = “First Estate” Background: Church had exerted a lot of influence during the Middle Ages –E–E–E–Enjoyed enormous wealth and privilege –C–C–C–Church owned about 10% of the land –S–S–S–Still Collected Tithes –P–P–P–Paid no direct taxes to the state –B–B–B–Bishops and Abbots were usually nobles Priests tended to be part of the peasant class Social Service: Nuns & Monks ran schools, hospitals and orphanages –B–B–B–Began to criticize the clergy officials during the Enlightenment –C–C–C–Condemned the intolerance of dissent and interference in politics

IV. The Nobles = “Second Estate” Titled nobility of French Society Middle Ages = Nobles were Knights who defended the land Held jobs in government, military, court system and the Church after their power was crushed by Louis XIV Owned much land but received little income –H–H–H–Had trouble maintaining status in a period of rising prices –F–F–F–Feared losing traditional privileges (not paying taxes)

V. The Third Estate = DIVERSITY At the top = Bourgeoisie = “middle class” (bankers, merchants, manufacturers) At the top = Bourgeoisie = “middle class” (bankers, merchants, manufacturers) Rural Peasants = comprised the majority of the third estate Rural Peasants = comprised the majority of the third estate –most were tenant farmers or laborers Urban Workers = poorest members of the third estate Urban Workers = poorest members of the third estate –Apprentices, journeymen –Resented their “social betters” –Most effected by rising prices = meant hunger and starvation –Burdened by taxes = no taxes were being paid by the first and second estates –Called for the privileged classes to pay their share

VI. Financial Crisis Social Unrest + Economic Woes = led to Revolution Years of Deficit Spending = French government was spending more $ than it was making –N–N–N–National Debt Soars = Seven Years War and the American Revolution left nation broke Government began to borrow more $ 1789 = more than ½ of national income went to paying interest on the national debt –R–R–R–Resolution = Raise Taxes and/or Reduce Expenses Nobles & Clergy fiercely resisted My name is Jacques Necker…, and this was my idea. Really!

Economic Reforms Fail Louis XIV Leaves France in debt from 7 Years War & American Revolution Louis XV Pleasure seeking Ran up more debt Louis XVI Appointed Jacques Necker urged taxing 1 st and 2 nd Estates King forced to dismiss Necker Estate General called to order Legislature Reps from all 3 estates First time in 175 years

The Estates General Louis XVI: Summoned representatives from all 3 estates Ordered all 3 estates to prepare Cahiers –C–C–C–Cahier = notebook listing grievances Regular Estate General meetings Freedom of the Press Fairer taxes Cahiers uncover resentment between estates/social classes (Louis saith “yikes!!!) –M–M–M–Most condemned courts and government

The “Tennis Court” Oath (now you can really see how the system was rigged against the 3 rd !) Estates General was deadlocked on issue of VOTING Traditionally each estate got 1 vote –T–T–T–Top 2 estates always outvoted the 3rd estate 2 to 1 3rd Estate demanded that all votes be counted together by “head count” June 1789: 3rd Estate breaks away from the Estates General. Goes to a nearby Tennis Court. –P–P–P–Pronounces THEY are National Assembly, representative of the majority Vowed never to separate until they had a fair constitution

Parisians Storm the Bastille Bastille = used as prison for criminals and political prisoners Rumors circulated that French troops were being organized to occupy Paris and put down any resistance –C–C–C–Citizens demanded that the Bastille provide them with weapons and gunpowder Citizens end up storming the Bastille –S–S–S–Symbol of resentment towards the government –“–“–“–“wake up call” for Louis XVI (again… “YIKES”!!! Etc.) Bastille Day = celebrated today as the date on which the French people became independent –h–h–h–h tttt tttt pppp :::: //// //// wwww wwww wwww.... yyyy oooo uuuu tttt uuuu bbbb eeee.... cccc oooo mmmm //// wwww aaaa tttt cccc hhhh ???? vvvv ==== 4444 OOOO CCCC hhhh eeee QQQQ DDDD rrrr 5555 aaaa gggg