Bellringer – 11/18 Title: Inspiration for Revolution What freedoms or rights of the American Revolution do you feel inspired the French Revolution?

The French Revolution and Napoleon Chapter 18 – Section 1

Helped to fund the American Revolution France in Trouble Political Enlightenment Ideas Liberty Equality Fraternity Dislike for Old System Feudalism Economic Helped to fund the American Revolution Not enough taxes to pay back France’s debt Social Social Inequality Wealthy had a lot of power, food and money Poor are starving and cannot afford bread Bad harvest in 1787 and 1788

The Estates-General

The Estates-General Louis XVI had to call together the Estates to discuss the financial crisis. Many people were upset because although the government had no money, they were spending money on wars and court luxuries. Louis wanted to raise taxes. The First and Second Estates did not want to lose their special privileges. The Third Estate wanted a constitutional government that would treat everyone equal under the law. Representation was one vote per Estate. That meant that the Third would lose two to one. But they made up 98% of the population! They demanded each delegate get one vote.

The Tennis Court Oath King Louis XVI refused the new system and the Third Estate reacted. They called themselves the National Assembly and decided to draft a constitution. However, when they arrived to the meeting place, the doors were locked!! They went to a nearby indoor tennis court and swore they would meet until they produced the French constitution. This became known as the Tennis Court Oath.

The National Assembly Louis sent troops to Paris to stomp the Third Estate. The peasants stormed the symbol of royal power, the prison Bastille on July 14, 1789. They succeeded and armed themselves against the king. Revolts broke out all over the country. Ordinary people formed militias to defend themselves if other monarchies came to invade France and force the old ways on them. This was called the Great Fear. The National Assembly destroyed feudalism and the privileges of the clergy and nobility. On Aug. 26, they adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. This was inspired by the American Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It detailed the natural rights and basic liberties of property, security, and resistance to oppression.

Women’s Rights – Olympe de Gouges Wrote Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Female Citizen because women during this time did not have equal rights nor "hope to exercise political rights or functions," according to men. She wanted women to be able to have a say in their government, too. Her demands were ignored by the National Assembly.

Women March on Versailles King Louis had refused to acknowledge the Declaration and make the changes that the National Assembly demanded. He was living in the Versailles Palace until a mob of angry women persuaded him and his family to return to Paris and show support. Their children were starving to death. King Louis brought wagonloads of flour back to Paris with him. The King and Queen Marie-Antoinette were kept as prisoners.

Church Reforms National Assembly seized and sold all church lands. Also, Clergymen had to be elected and paid by the people. In other words, the church was now owned by the French government. These new laws were in the new Civil Constitution of the Clergy.

Problems Worsen Louis and the family decided to dress as peasants and flee France, except they get caught at Varennes. They are taken back to Paris and are seen as disloyal, uncooperative monarchs. The new Legislative Assembly, able to make laws, declared war on Austria and Prussia. They were afraid these powerful monarchs would step in and restore the king to the throne (Marie-Antoinette's Mother was Queen of Austria). The shortages and fear helped radical groups attack the government. The Paris Commune took the king captive and forced the Legislative Assembly to call for a National Convention, in which all males could vote.