The Beginning of the French Revolution PHASE ONE: From Estates-General to National Assembly

Causes of Revolution Enlightenment ideas American Revolution Old Regime Privileges of 1st & 2nd estate Burdens of the 3rd estate Financial crisis – impending bankruptcy…

Any thoughts on how France found itself on the brink of bankruptcy?

French Financial Crisis Extravagance (Versailles) Debt from wars Aid for American Revolution Banks refuse to lend money Crop Failure

Horrible Histories: Wife Swap

French Financial Crisis France Needed Money!!!! Louis XVI called a meeting of The Estates General in 1789 - hoping to agree on new taxes to be applied to the First & Second Estates

National Assembly & Tennis Court Oath The Estates-General had not met since 1614 Made up of delegates representing each Estate They met separately, but the 3rd Estate wanted all 3 Estates to meet together King refused – locked out 3rd Estate!

National Assembly & Tennis Court Oath Instead of leaving, the Third Estate formed the National Assembly They met on the palace tennis courts & promised not to disband until they had written a constitution for France

National Assembly & Tennis Court Oath First deliberate act of the revolution!! Why was the creation of the National Assembly an act of revolution?

Call to Revolt King ordered other estates to join the National Assembly, BUT called in troops in Paris Debates and sometimes violence took place in the streets

Call to Revolt Rebellion grew King gathered more troops Paris citizens became fearful that the King would dissolve the National Assembly & halt reforms so they took action…

Storming the Bastille The Bastille is a prison in Paris Symbol of the injustices of the monarchy Huge mob surrounded Bastille & attempted to steal weapons (to defend the National Assembly) Forced way into prison; freed prisoners Mob took over prison (July 14, 1789)

Liberated prisoners parading later in the day

The Great Fear After Bastille, waves of violence spread through France Rumors spread about nobles hiring robbers to kill & steal from peasants

The Great Fear Peasants react; get weapons Drive nobles off their land The First Wave of the French Revolution had struck!