Before the Revolution France was considered the most advanced countries in Europe: Large population Successful foreign trade system Center of the Enlightenment Culturally praised and imitated all over the world

Problems in France Although everything seemed to be going great in France, it really wasn’t. Some problems include… Bad harvests High priced goods High taxes for the lower class Disturbing questions raised by Locke, Rousseau, and Voltaire during the Enlightenment Ideas of success from the American Revolution

Social Classes in France France’s social classes were divided into three different group called estates First Estate  Priests and other members of the clergy Second Estate  Rich nobles and landowners Privileges of First and Second Estate Power, prestige Did NOT pay taxes Could hold government jobs and be appointed to high offices Under Louis XIV, they could live at Versailles

Social Classes in France (cont’d) France’s social classes were divided into three different group called estates Third Estate  everyone else, 97% of the French population Bourgeoisie — Middle Class Bankers, factory owners, merchants, professionals Made GOOD money, but had to pay taxes and had no privileges Workers Trades people, apprentices, laborers, servants Earned low wages and frequently unemployed Peasants 80% of France’s population Peasants paid HALF their income in dues to nobles, tithes to the Church, and taxes to the king

Causes of the French Revolution Resentment from the lower classes or Third Estate Enlightenment views on government and authority Quoting Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Voltaire, the Third Estate began demanding equality, liberty, and democracy Success of the American Revolution The French helped the American colonies win Economic decline Heavy taxes made making a profit impossible Weak leaders

France’s Weak Leader Louis XVI (16th) and Marie Antoinette Reigned in France during the 1770s and 1780s During this time: France sank deeper into debt Borrowed heavily to help with the American Revolution Doubled France’s debt to where bankers refused to lend the government any more money

France’s Weak Leader (cont’d) Louis XVI was not strong enough to battle such large problems Paid little attention to his advisors and had little patience for the details of governing Allowed Marie Antoinette to interfere and offer poor advice She was unpopular as an Austrian (France’s enemy) She spent so much money on gowns, jewels, gambling, and gifts she was known as “Madame Deficit”

France Runs Out of Money Louis XVI didn’t do anything about the problems until France ran out Louis XVI’s Actions: Planned to tax the nobility (they did NOT like that) Nobles forced him to call a meeting of the Estates General with representatives from all three estates Met at Versailles on May 5, 1789 Each estate had one vote – not fair, especially to the Third Estate who made up the majority of the French population

The National Assembly The Third Estate decided to separate themselves from the First and Second Formed the National Assembly, as part of the Estates General, to pass laws and reforms to the government themselves Louis XVI and the First and Second estates DID NOT like this Became the first action of the French Revolution

The Tennis Court Oath Three days after the Estates General began and the National Assembly was formed, the Third Estate was locked out of the meeting room at Versailles As a result, they broke into an indoor tennis court on the grounds of Versailles Members pledged to stay until a new constitution was established Second action of the French Revolution Louis reacts by placing his army around the grounds of Versailles