French Revolution 1700’s France is the center of Enlightenment, the most advanced country in the world France is the center of Enlightenment, the most advanced country in the world had many problems within: had many problems within: high taxes, high taxes, high poverty rates high poverty rates Social classes still exist, held down a large % of the pop. Social classes still exist, held down a large % of the pop. Enlightenment thinkers challenged ideas still strong in France- authority of the church/ government and the lack of social advancement. Enlightenment thinkers challenged ideas still strong in France- authority of the church/ government and the lack of social advancement. Resentment towards the King and their lifestyles Resentment towards the King and their lifestyles Louis XVI was a weak leader, his Queen Marie Antoinette unpopular Louis XVI was a weak leader, his Queen Marie Antoinette unpopular Economic issues- heavy taxes made it hard to do business in France (unfavorable balance of trade), prices rose, government was in debt because of wars and the Kings’ extravagant lifestyle. Borrowed a lot of money to help the American Colonies in the war against Britian Economic issues- heavy taxes made it hard to do business in France (unfavorable balance of trade), prices rose, government was in debt because of wars and the Kings’ extravagant lifestyle. Borrowed a lot of money to help the American Colonies in the war against Britian

OLD REGIME Society was divided into three classes or estates, Society was divided into three classes or estates, 1st estate- the clergy, 1% of pop, owned 10% of the land, paid 2% of the taxes 1st estate- the clergy, 1% of pop, owned 10% of the land, paid 2% of the taxes 2nd estate- wealthy nobility- 1% of pop, owned 20% of the land, paid almost no taxes 2nd estate- wealthy nobility- 1% of pop, owned 20% of the land, paid almost no taxes 3rd estate- 98% of the population, paid 80% of the taxes, 3 groups 3rd estate- 98% of the population, paid 80% of the taxes, 3 groups bourgeoisie- wealthy merchants and artisans, wanted more social status and power, tended to be the representatives when the estates general met bourgeoisie- wealthy merchants and artisans, wanted more social status and power, tended to be the representatives when the estates general met workers- worked in the cities, if their were no jobs they often went hungry workers- worked in the cities, if their were no jobs they often went hungry peasants- still tied to the land, pay nobles, kings and church high taxes, 80 % of pop. peasants- still tied to the land, pay nobles, kings and church high taxes, 80 % of pop.

The Estates General 1789France is almost Bankrupt!!!! Louis XVI must call the estates general in order to raise taxes of the first two estates Estates general: Estates general: an assembly similar to parliament an assembly similar to parliament each estate sends representatives each estate sends representatives they have not been called since 1614 they have not been called since 1614 traditionally the 1st and 2nd estates controlled the assembly traditionally the 1st and 2nd estates controlled the assembly The Third Estate will not longer be pushed around, they insist that they are heard/ have a place in government. The bourgeoisie have been involved in enlightenment ideas for 100 years. The Third Estate will not longer be pushed around, they insist that they are heard/ have a place in government. The bourgeoisie have been involved in enlightenment ideas for 100 years. Historically each estate had one vote- smaller richer estates join to out vote the third estate Historically each estate had one vote- smaller richer estates join to out vote the third estate 3rd estate insists that vote be taken by head count, they then have the majority in assembly 3rd estate insists that vote be taken by head count, they then have the majority in assembly The King sides with estate 1 and 2 The King sides with estate 1 and 2

The Start Of the Revolution June, Third Estate breaks away & calls themselves the National Assembly June, Third Estate breaks away & calls themselves the National Assembly Locked out of the meeting room, gather at a tennis court/ pledge to write a new constitution. Tennis Court Oath. They are in full rebellion! Locked out of the meeting room, gather at a tennis court/ pledge to write a new constitution. Tennis Court Oath. They are in full rebellion! In fear the King makes the 1st and 2nd estate join the National Assembly In fear the King makes the 1st and 2nd estate join the National Assembly July- King stations Swiss guards in Paris, the people thought the army was coming to kill them and they fought back. They storm the Bastille looking for gunpowder. July- King stations Swiss guards in Paris, the people thought the army was coming to kill them and they fought back. They storm the Bastille looking for gunpowder. Great Fear- a time of panic- peasants revolt against nobles, tearing up legal documents and burning manor houses across France. Great Fear- a time of panic- peasants revolt against nobles, tearing up legal documents and burning manor houses across France. October- women rioted over the price of bread and marched on Versailles, force King and Queen to come to Paris October- women rioted over the price of bread and marched on Versailles, force King and Queen to come to Paris

The National Assembly - August- Declaration of the Rights of Man- Same rights given to all people, government must respect these rights or be replaced, freedom of speech and religion.(women not included) - Reform Of the Church Church land taken away – clergy elected by the people and paid as state officials this frightens Church land taken away – clergy elected by the people and paid as state officials this frightens offends many peasants, strong Catholics offends many peasants, strong Catholics - Everyone is made equal - Louis caught trying to escape 1791It took two years to write a constitution- Limited Monarchy- legislative body make the laws, approve or deny war- National Assembly splits into 3 groups radicals- sans culottes radicals- sans culottes moderates moderates conservative- Emigres- conservative- Emigres-

Problems continue 1792France gets pulled into war with Austria and Prussia, France is badly disorganized, and not doing well- Prussian commander threatens to capture Paris if they harm Louis XVI- Prussian commander threatens to capture Paris if they harm Louis XVI- Revolutionaries are mad and storm the palace of King Louis- throw him in jail Revolutionaries are mad and storm the palace of King Louis- throw him in jail Rumors start saying that those who support the crown are going to turn on the revolutionaries. Revolutionaries are scared and massacre thousands they think support the King Rumors start saying that those who support the crown are going to turn on the revolutionaries. Revolutionaries are scared and massacre thousands they think support the King National Assembly dissolves itself, a new assembly takes their place called the National Convention, declares France a republic National Assembly dissolves itself, a new assembly takes their place called the National Convention, declares France a republic

Radicals take over 1793 They try Louis for Treason and execute him- accuse him of trying to escape, return to overthrow the Revolution Spain, England and Holland join the Prussian, Austrian side fighting against France- drafts call up people to fight in the wars Spain, England and Holland join the Prussian, Austrian side fighting against France- drafts call up people to fight in the wars Problems within- Peasants unhappy with government control of the church and the execution of the King, Peasants unhappy with government control of the church and the execution of the King, Priests did not like government control, Priests did not like government control, Nobles and others who did not like the revolutionaries’ ways of doing things. Nobles and others who did not like the revolutionaries’ ways of doing things.

The Republic of Virtue Lead by Maximilien Robespierre- tries to erase all trace of monarchy and nobility- closed all churches, rearranged the calendar. Lead by Maximilien Robespierre- tries to erase all trace of monarchy and nobility- closed all churches, rearranged the calendar. Committee of Public Safety- accused and executed “enemies of the Revolution” many innocent people died, Committee of Public Safety- accused and executed “enemies of the Revolution” many innocent people died, Robespierre executed fellow revolutionaries because they challenge his power, this is considered the Reign of Terror people were killed. Robespierre executed fellow revolutionaries because they challenge his power, this is considered the Reign of Terror people were killed. July Robespierre is outnumbered by other members of the National Convention and put to death- the radical control of France ends July Robespierre is outnumbered by other members of the National Convention and put to death- the radical control of France ends The new constitution put power in the conservative upper middle class, a two house legislature and a board of five directors. General Napoleon Bonaparte was put in charge of the army. The new constitution put power in the conservative upper middle class, a two house legislature and a board of five directors. General Napoleon Bonaparte was put in charge of the army.