Brief Response: Did the framers of the US Constitution have to use “separation of powers” when designing the government in the constitution? No, they could have trusted all the powers to the Congress which had many representatives from many different parts of the country. Yes, one person or a big group could take control of the government without the other two branches able to point out abuse or unfairness.

French Society Collapses p. 108 France

Why France? The French government was collapsing under a weak monarchy, corruption, the Church and nobles not paying their taxes, huge debts from wars and luxurious living. France’ poor were ignored and struggling to survive in the face of famines and rising food prices. Enlightenment ideas were spreading News of the American’s success in changing their government encouraged many to take action.

Ancien Regime: the old government of France before the French Revolution

Estate: C French social class. Each class had a vote in the French legislature. EC: ID each class and its make up. (6) –First Estate: clergy (Church) 1% of population –Second Estate: Nobles 1-2% of the population –Third Estate: bourgeoisie and peasantry: % of population

Bourgeoisie: C The “middle class” Mostly business people and professionals (doctors, lawyers, journalists, educators). –The middle class had the education, intelligence, and ability to run a country. –They made France wealthy and were taxed heavily for it. –They were angry that the nobles and the Church were not paying taxes.

France is Broke C Deficit spending: A government spends more money than it collects in taxes. For over a hundred years, the French monarchy had been losing much of its treasury to: –Wars –Lavish life of the monarch –Allowing the rich and the Church to not pay taxes.

Louis XVI: Weak king, saw the need to raise taxes to deal with French deficit spending. Lived at Versailles Palace)Versailles Palace

The King’s Man Jacques Necker: –Clever financial minister chosen by Louis XVI. He advised the following economic policy to solve the bad economic problems:

Estates-General: C The legislature of the French Ancien Regime. It only met when called by the king. –French monarchs rarely called meetings because they feared it would become powerful like the English Parliament. Louis XVI had to call a meeting of the Estates General to deal with the terrible economic issues facing France, –He invited all the estates to speak freely…..

Cahier: A list of grievances (complaints). Each estate was invited by Louis XVI to bring a cahier in for discussion. The goal was economic and/or social improvement.

Tennis Court Oath: The Third Estate walked out of the Estates General meeting. They found a meeting location in a Paris tennis court. –They vowed to form a more democratic government that included all the classes of men.

Bastille: Hearing that the king was coming with an armed force, panicked Parisians stormed this prison/armory for weapons to prepare to meet the king’s troops. Bastille Day is the symbolic beginning of the French Revolution, –ending talk, starting violence. –EC: When do French celebrate Bastille Day? –July 14.

Hwk, Notes

p. 109, analyzing political cartoons 1. The Third Estates is shown as a man who is shaking off the chains (representing taxes and restrictions imposed by the First and Second Estates Because the cartoonist wanted to show the third estate rising up to demand change. –The Third Estates will do it violently, if necessary -- weapons on the ground. 2. Taxes, money, land, privileges, and jobs available to only a few.

p. 110, Thinking Critically 1. It wanted to gain political power and recognition 2. Its members were paying high taxes and dealing with unjust restrictions. They did not have any representation in the government.

Standards Check, p. 111 Question: First Estate = clergy Second Estate = nobles Third Estate = the majority of the population (bourgeoisie and the lower class

Standards Check, p. 111 Question: large national debt Soaring food prices Mass starvation among lower class which led to unrest…..

Primary Source, p. 111 The nobles were wealthy and treated the poor badly, almost like slaves or nothing at all.

p. 112, image The Oath is Taken, Question: It showed the Third Estate’s commitment to creating a constitution

Standards Check, p. 113: Question: They declared themselves the “National Assembly, representing the people of France. The took the “Tennis Court Oath” Swore to create a constitution

Standards Check, p. 113: Question: The people’s rage demonstrated a new sense of empowerment.

Brief Response How did the Enlightenment lead to the American and French Revolutions?