Main Points: The French Revolution Begins Chapter 7, Section 1

Causes of the French Revolution In the 1700s, France was considered the most advanced country in Europe. France was the center of the Enlightenment. French culture was widely praised and imitated. France’s appearance of success was deceiving. It was actually experiencing bad harvests, high prices, high taxes and trying deal with Enlightenment questions.

Causes of the French Revolution: The Estates Roman Catholic clergy One percent of the population Exempt from taxes Owned 10 percent of the land Collected rents and fees Bishops and other clergy grew wealthy First Estate Nobility Less than 2 percent of the population Paid few taxes Controlled much wealth Held key positions Government Military Lived on country estates Second Estate Largest group—97% of the population Bourgeoisie—city-dwelling merchants, factory owners, and professionals Sans culottes—artisans and workers Peasants—poor with little hope, paid rents and fees Third Estate

Causes of the French Revolution There was growing resentment among the lower classes due to the tax burden they faced as well as several other factors.

Inspiring new ideas from Enlightenment philosophers Causes of the French Revolution: Enlightenment Ideas Inspiring new ideas from Enlightenment philosophers Great Britain’s government limiting the king’s power American colonists rebelled successfully against British king New ideas changed government and society in other countries

Severe economic problems affected much of the country Causes of the French Revolution: Economic Crisis Severe economic problems affected much of the country France in debt, spending lavishly, borrowing money, and facing bankruptcy Debt also came from the financing of the American Revolution Hailstorm and drought ruined harvest; harsh winter limited flour production People hungry and angry; clergy and nobility no help

Causes of the French Revolution: Weak Leader Louis XVI – indecisive and paid little attention to government advisors. Marie Antoinette interfered with the government and offered poor advice. Marie was a member of the Austrian royal family  unpopular with the French. Marie spent lots of money on gowns, jewels, gambling and gifts  Madame Deficit.

Causes of the French Revolution Inequalities in the tax system and estates… Spread and influence of Enlightenment ideas… The poor state of the French economy… & a weak indecisive leader… All of these events were a huge powder keg ready to explode all that was needed was a spark

They urged for each delegate to have one vote, not each estate. Events Leading to the French Revolution: Proposed Changes to the Estates General In the past, the clergy and the nobles had dominated the Estates-General. Medieval rules – each estate got one vote Who do you think was usually outvoted? What is the problem with this system? The Third Estate delegates were eager for government change due to their Enlightenment beliefs. They urged for each delegate to have one vote, not each estate. The Third Estate had as many delegates as the other two estates combined.

The king sided with the nobles and enforced the medieval rules. Events Leading to the French Revolution: Formation of the National Assembly The king sided with the nobles and enforced the medieval rules. Upset with this ruling, the Third Estate decided to work under the name National Assembly and pass laws and reforms in the name of the French people. The National Assembly voted to abolish the absolute monarchy and begin a representative government.

Events Leading to the French Revolution: The Tennis Court Oath Three days later, the Third Estate was locked out of their meeting room. They moved their meeting to a Tennis Court and vowed not to leave until they drew up a Constitution. This pledge = Tennis Court Oath Some nobles and clergy joined the Third Estate. Louis was scared by the action and stationed guards around Versailles.

Events Leading to the French Revolution: Storming of the Bastille, July 14, 1789 July 14, 1789 – citizens in search of gunpowder and weapons stormed a French prison, the Bastille. The mob overpowered the guard and took control of the building. The mob killed a few guards, placed their heads on pikes and proceeded to march through the streets. Fall of the Bastille became a great symbolic act of revolution. July 14th – Bastille Day ~ our Independence Day.

Parisian women were outraged at the price of bread. Events Leading to the French Revolution: Bread March/Riot – October 1789 Parisian women were outraged at the price of bread. They marched to Versailles in protest. First, they demanded the National Assembly take action. Then, they turned on the king and queen. Killed some royal guards. Demanded that Louis and Marie return to Paris. Louis and Marie leave Versailles never to return again.

The Great Fear Rumors spread throughout France. This senseless panic became known as the Great Fear. Out of fear that the nobles were going to terrorize the peasants, the peasants became outlaws themselves. Peasants broke into nobles’ houses and destroyed legal papers that bound them to pay feudal dues.