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WSII Chapter 7; Section 1 The French Revolution Begins

The Big Question Why is it important to understand the French Revolution?

The Old Order -France was divided into three social classes or estates

The Privileged Estates -2 of the estates had privileges

-this means access to high office and exemptions from paying some taxes

-Roman Catholic Clergy formed the first estate -They owned 10 percent of the land in France

What did the clergy do for society that might justify their low tax rate? Provided education and relief to the poor.

-The second Estate was French Nobles -20 percent of the land and virtually no taxes

-both of these groups hated the enlightenment

The Third Estate -This is about 97 percent of the people -3 groups in 1

-The first was the Bourgeoisie (middle class) -bankers, factory owners, merchants, professionals

How was the bourgeoisie unlike the other groups within the Third Estate? They were wealthier and better educated.

-loved the enlightenment (well educated) -Paid high taxes, just as rich as the nobles

-The second was the workers -they were the poorest

-Finally, the Peasants -80 percent of the 26 million people in France

SECTION 1 The Roots of Revolution

The Forces of Change -besides the poor people, there were a lot of enlightenment ideas floating around Enlightenment Ideas -Members of the third estate were Inspired by the American Revolution

-Quoting Rousseau and Voltaire they began demanding equality, liberty and democracy

Economic Troubles -It did not help that in the 1780’s France’s economy was in decline

-Even though the economy seemed good, the heavy tax burden was killing people Then drought caused bread’s price to double in 1789 starving people.

-France had huge debt thanks to King Louis XVI and his queen Marie Antoinette( daughter of the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa) -heavy borrowing for the American Revolution

- He did not pay attention to his advisers, but he did listen to his spoiled wife

-XVI’s solution: Tax the Nobility

Why do you think Louis chose to raise taxes on the nobility? They had more wealth than the clergy & lower taxes than the Third Estate.

Factors of Discontent Population explosion – more people need more food Food scarcity – several years of poor harvest Higher rents Inflation Class resentment No political power Inequality

Dawn of the Revolution -Each of the Estates had 1 vote

The National Assembly -The third estate’s views were shaped by the enlightenment - They wanted a more representative system of rules since they had more delegates than the other two combined.

- After a long night of debate, the third estate (June 17, 1789) passes the resolution (National Assembly)-this was a deliberate act of revolution

-The next day Louis XVI locked them out of the assembly hall

-They broke down the door to what was also an indoor tennis court and signed an oath to stay until they had signed a new constitution -This was called the Tennis court oath

Storming the Bastille -Louis had called in his mercenary Swiss army to keep order

-On July 14 a group looking for weapons stormed the Bastille a Paris prison

Great Fear Sweeps France -Rebellion spread to the countryside

-October 1789 Parisian women riot to avoid paying for expensive bread -The women marched on Versailles demanding bread wielding pitchforks

-Louis and Marie go back to Paris and never ever again return to Versailles