World Studies

Review: what is a monarchy? Power is in the hands of a single person (monarch/King or Queen) Absolute monarchy- ruler has total control Limited monarchy- some restrictions placed upon monarch. Power is hereditary, passed through bloodlines. Most believed in divine right, or that their power came from God.

Monarchy in Europe During the Middle Ages, power was in the hands of many small lords who each controlled a relatively small area. By the 1500’s, monarchs began to consolidate power, controlling larger areas of land and more people. Great Britain, France, and Spain all had various forms of monarchy during this time period.

France A case study of France will provide us with an excellent example of the excess of monarchy and a revolution against it.

The French Monarchy For hundreds of years France was an absolute monarchy. During the 1770’s, France was ruled by King Louis XVI (16 th ) and Queen Marie Antoinette. They live at the palace of Versailles, about 15 miles outside of Paris (away from the “common” people) Both were out of touch with the needs and struggles of the French people.

Marie and Louis

Versailles

France before the Revolution Outside of the monarchy, everyone in France belonged to one of three classes (aka Estates.) 1 st Estate=Clergy (1% of population, paid no tax) 2 nd Estate=Nobles (2%, paid no tax) 3 rd Estate=everyone else (97%, paid all taxes)

The 3 rd Estate Made up of three main parts Bourgeoisie- Middle class professionals, usually well- educated, did not have same opportunities as nobles. Peasants- rural farmers. Urban workers- poorest of the poor. All of these groups were unhappy with the inequality and uncertainty of life.

France in debt…why? 1. Government is spending more $$$ than it takes in (palaces, wars) 2. Poor harvests=no wheat=no flour=no bread=the poor begin to starve! 3. The wealthy(1 st and 2 nd Estates) pay no taxes! This economic crisis takes it biggest toll on the 3 rd Estate, specifically the poor!

Cartoon Which person represents which estate?

This leads to… REVOLUTION!!!!

The Estates General Louis XVI called the Estates General into session because he needed money to solve France’s financial problems. Usually each estate got one vote each. The First and Second Estates usually voted together making the Third Estates vote useless. This time however, the Third Estate said no to the traditional method of voting. The Third Estate demanded that each deputy (representative) get one vote each. The King refused and the Third Estate declared itself to be the National Assembly. In a tennis court, they pledged to create a constitution for the nation.

The Revolution Begins! July 14 th, 1789 An angry Parisian mob gathers outside of the Bastille, on old fortress used as a prison. The prison guard opens fire on the mob but eventually they enter the prison, kills the guards, and free the prisoners. This is regarded as the first action of the French Revolution!

The Tennis Court Oath

The Storming of the Bastille

The Rise of the 3 rd Estate

Outcomes of the French Revolution