Causes of the French Revolution

The Old (Ancien) Regime France clung to an outdated social system that had emerged in the Middle Ages In this system everyone belonged to one of three classes…

First Estate: Clergy

Second Estate: Nobles

Third Estate: Bourgeoisie Rural Peasants City Dwellers

3rd Estate: Peasants 50% 70% 97% Bourgeoisie Three Estates: Who Tax Land Pop 1st Estate: Clergy 2% 10% 1% 2nd Estate: Nobles 1% 20% 2% 3rd Estate: Peasants 50% 70% 97% Bourgeoisie

Discontent was widespread. At all levels people resented the privileges of their social betters

City workers were paid horrible wages and any price increase could mean starvation . The peasants carried the heaviest tax burden. Peasants weren’t allowed to kill the rabbits that ate their crops.

The role of the Enlightenment The Enlightenment led to a questioning of the status quo. This created social unrest.

All about the Benjamins A financial crisis was created mainly because of deficit spending Deficit Spending – A government spending more money than it takes in France was deeply in debt due to the building of Versailles and the American Revolution.

Costs in general rose and the Lavish Court costs millions. By 1789 half of all taxes went to pay interest on the money the government borrowed.

The Economy Crumbled There were bad harvests and prices soared especially on bread. Peasants and city dwellers began to riot. They demanded bread and began attacking nobles’ houses. The king had a choice, either increase taxes, or reduce spending.

The wealthy and powerful classes demanded that the king call the Estates General, before making any reforms. They were hoping for changes like in England. Wanted to establish a constitution

French Revolution Estates General, National Assembly, Storming the Bastille Textbook pgs. 214-215

What were some of the problems facing France in 1788 that prompted King Louis XVI (16th) to call the Estates General? France was close to bankruptcy Bread riots were spreading Nobles were denouncing “royal tyranny” & did not want new taxes

Notebooks that listed the grievances of the 3 Estates in France What are cahiers? Notebooks that listed the grievances of the 3 Estates in France

Regular meetings of the Estates General List some of the grievances that people of the 3rd Estate called for in their cahiers? Fairer taxes Freedom of the press Regular meetings of the Estates General

Each estate voted separately and received only ONE vote How was voting traditionally conducted in the Estates General? Which estates would have liked this process? Why? Each estate voted separately and received only ONE vote The 1st and 2nd estates would have liked this because it allowed them to always outvote the 3rd estate 2 to 1

How did the 3rd Estate want voting to be conducted How did the 3rd Estate want voting to be conducted? Why do you think this would have benefited them? The 3rd estate wanted meet as a single body (not 3 separate groups) and have votes counted “by head” This would have allowed them to have far greater influence & power in the Estates General

What “daring step” did delegates of the 3rd Estate take in June 1789? They claimed to represent the people of France and declared themselves to be the National Assembly

What was the significance of the Tennis Court Oath? The National Assembly (formerly the 3ed estate) swore “never to separate and to meet wherever circumstances might require until we have established a sound and just constitution. Basically it stated that the National Assembly wanted to create a constitutional monarchy that would limit the power of the French monarch.

Was the National Assembly accepted by King Louis XVI? Describe. Yes, but he did so grudgingly and only after nobles and clergy joined them.

Describe the significance of the storming of the Bastille in 2 to 3 sentences. Rumors spread throughout Paris that royal troops were going to occupy the city. More than 800 Parisians broke into the prison and killed the guards to try to get weapons and gunpowder. This event directly challenged the authority and existence of the monarchy.