French Revolution It was the best of times It was the worst of times, It was the age of wisdom, It was the age of foolishness, It was the epoch of belief, It was the epoch of incredulity Charles Dickens “A Tale of Two Cities”

Marie Antoinette & Louis XVI French Revolution Marie Antoinette & Louis XVI

Marie Antoinette and the Royal Children French Revolution Marie Antoinette and the Royal Children

Marie Antoinette’s “Peasant Cottage” French Revolution Marie Antoinette’s “Peasant Cottage”

Marie Antoinette’s “Peasant Cottage” French Revolution Marie Antoinette’s “Peasant Cottage”

French Revolution Old Regime 3 groups 97% of population 80% are peasants 50% of income to feudal dues Tithes to church Paid taxes to King 1% of pop 2% to Gov 10% of land Collect tithes 1 1st Estate Clergy Number of Votes as part of Estates-General 2nd Estate Aristocracy-Nobles 1 2% of pop No taxes – 20% of land Collect feudal dues 3rd Estate Bourgeoisie City Workers Peasants 1 Voting Pattern by Estates

French Revolution 3rd Estate resents first two estates They have no political power & hurting economically Enlightenment ideas & American Revolution inspire them to seek changes Demand equality, liberty, and democracy

French Revolution By 1780 economy is much worse Taxes hindering growth Inflation – cost of living going up Crop failures cause grain shortages

French Revolution Old Regime Heavy taxes on staples – things people need daily The French Urban Poor

French Revolution Old Regime Where is the tax money?

French Revolution Meanwhile, gov’t going deeper into debt Funded American Revolution (they hated Britain!) King and Queen spend on luxuries Bankers refuse to lend any more money Louis is in trouble! “I know, let’s tax the Nobles!!” Estates-General must approve

French Revolution Louis calls a meeting at Versailles first time in 175 years Under old rules Delegates from each estate meet in separate halls Each estate gets 1 vote Clearly unfair to the 3rd Estate – constantly outvoted! Most 3rd Estate delegates are bourgeoisie They love Enlightenment ideas!

French Revolution 3rd Estate says All three estates meet together Vote by delegates – they have 2x as many as other estates When rejected – they proclaim themselves “National Assembly” (legislative body) End of absolute monarchy Beginning of representative government 1st Act of REVOLUTION!!!

French Revolution When King locks them out of their meeting hall, they meet in indoor tennis court Pledge to write a new constitution “Tennis Court Oath” Clergy & nobles join them (1st & 2nd Estates) Louis is getting nervous (as he should!) Sends Swiss troops to guard Versailles Rumors fly-foreign troops will massacre French citizens

French Revolution Bastille Day – July 14 People prepare by gathering weapons Storm the Bastille (prison) for more weapons & gunpowder Hack the prison commander & some guards to death – parade around their severed heads on sticks (Things are turning ugly! Not a good sign.) Bastille Day – July 14

French Revolution All hell breaks loose – so to speak! Rebellion spreads beyond Paris Rumors that nobles are hiring people to kill peasants sparks them to attack nobles & their property “Great Fear spreads across France!

French Revolution Meanwhile prices are rising Bread prices shoot up & women riot for bread Thousands arm themselves with pitchforks, knives, axes (whatever it takes!) March to Versailles and force King and his family to go to Paris to try to help with the situation Last time the royal family saw Versailles This events signals a political movement from a somewhat moderate rebellion to a radical one