The French Revolution Begins

Essential Question? Make an argument on why the third estate wanted to start a revolution against the French crown.

Setting the Stage Main Idea: Why It Matters Now: Economics and social inequalities in the Old French Regime helped cause the French Revolution. Why It Matters Now: Throughout history, economic and social inequalities lead people to revolution, and still do today.

1700s But: France is the most advanced country in Europe Center of the Enlightenment But: Major internal issues Bad harvests, high food prices, and high taxes France influenced by Enlightenment thinkers’ (Rousseau, Voltaire, etc.)

The Old Regime French society divided into 3 classes, called ESTATES. 1st Estate: CLERGY (1%) 2nd Estate: NOBLES (2%) 3rd Estate: EVERYONE ELSE (97%) Including: Bourgeoisie (Middle Class) bankers, lawyers, doctors Peasants: farmers, laborers, servants, etc.

1st Estate Roman Catholic Clergy Owned 10% of land Paid 2% in taxes Provided education and relief services to the poor. Did not believe in Enlightenment ideas Because the ideas threatened their positions of power

2nd Estate Rich Nobles Owned 20% of land No taxes paid Didn’t believe in Enlightenment ideas for same reason

3rd Estate 97% of Population Bourgeoisie (middle class): Educated Believed in Enlightenment ideas Workers (Urban) Poorest of 3 Peasants (Rural) All other French people ** Had no govt. privileges, no power** Paid most of taxes

The Forces of Change Why Revolution? Unfair power distribution *Monarchy, 1st, 2nd Estates had all the power **Bourgeoisie (middle class): Resented the lack of political power under the Old Regime American Revolution Enlightenment Natural Rights

High taxes = Govt. taking a lot of $ from Businesses Economic Troubles High taxes = Govt. taking a lot of $ from Businesses Crop failures = starving poor Price of bread doubles = starving poor - what are the three things people need to survive? French Bread Riots

A Weak Leader- (Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette) - Young 19 years old - Austrian Wife/ bossy (did not like Louis) * Spent $$$ helping Americans in Rev. Huge palaces, elaborate dress Indecisive France went broke King Louis XVI 1754-1793 Marie Antoinette 1755-1793

2nd Estate OUTRAGED! Louis Wanted to Raise $$$ by taxing 2nd Estate (Nobles: Remember they have not been Taxed) 2nd Estate calls for meeting of three Estates, called ESTATES GENERAL. 1st of its kind in 175 yrs.

Dawn of the Revolution May 1789, Estates General Mtg. Each Estate gets 1 vote 1st and 2nd Estates always outvoted Third Estate Unfair, 3% decides for everyone else… 1789 Estates General

3rd Estate breaks off Form their own representative govt. called NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 1st and 2nd Estate lock out 3rd Estate from Estates General.

Acts of Revolution 1st Act of Revolution: 2nd Act: TENNIS COURT OATH National Assembly meets across the street, on a tennis court to: (Draw up new constitution) 2nd Act: STORMING THE BASTILLE National Assembly needs to defend itself against King Took over a prison to get guns and gunpowder Symbolic act of Revolution Violence begun

3rd Act: GREAT FEAR: violence and change all over the country King arrested with his family