The French Revolution: 7.1 The French Revolution: Revolution Threatens the French King MAIN IDEA: Economic & social inequalities in the Old Regime French Revolution NEXT

The Old Regime 1770s: France ruled by the Old Regime: system of feudalism unequal society French citizens divided into Estates: social classes First Estate Second Estate Third Estate

FIRST ESTATE Roman Catholic clergy Owned 10 % of land but paid few taxes Scorned Enlightenment ideas SECOND ESTATE Rich nobles, 2% of population Owned 20% of land Held highest government offices Disagreed on Enlightenment ideas THIRD ESTATE 97% of population: Bourgeoisie, workers, & peasant farmers Heavily taxed and no govn’t power Embraced Enlightenment ideas Dissatisfied and wanted change

Forces of Change 3 Factors led to revolution: Enlightenment Ideas: equality, liberty, democracy American Revolution 2. Economic Troubles High taxes & inflation Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette are extravagant national debt doubles —banks refuse to lend more money 3. Louis XVI = Weak Leader Marie Antoinette unpopular Tries to tax aristocrats Forced to call Estates-General: representatives from all three estates

Revolution Dawns Estates-General: Third Estate always outvoted under rules—now want each delegate to have a vote Third Estate breaks away National Assembly: congress to make reforms Beginning of representative government in France Tennis Court Oath: promise to write new constitution for France

Storming the Bastille • Rumors spread that Louis will suppress National Assembly Swiss guards sent to Paris—citizens panic • July 14, 1789: Bastille Day Mob attacks and seizes Bastille to get gunpowder symbol of revolution

A Great Fear Sweeps France Great Fear: wave of panic and violence Peasants destroy legal papers binding them to feudal system October 1789: Parisian women revolt over rising price of bread storm Versailles & force Louis to return to Paris