Origins of the French Revolution Mr. Westfall’s World Studies

The French Class System 1 st Estate –Clergy of the Roman Catholic Church –Less than one percent of the population –DID NOT HAVE TO PAY TAXES –Owned 1/10 of the land in France –Received money from rent, taxes and fees from its occupants

The French Class System Cont… 2 nd Estate –Nobility –Less than two percent of the population –PAID FEW IF ANY TAXES –Held the highest positions in military and gov’t

The French Class System Cont… 3 rd Estate (Two divisions) 1.Bourgeoisie – City dwelling middle class merchants, manufacturers and professionals (doctors and lawyers) 2.Peasants – TAXED THE MOST, most were in debt, 1/10 of income was paid to the church (Tithe) and had no voice in making or changing of laws

Growing Discontent Increase in population Changing Economic Conditions –A rise in prices required landowners to increase rent –Wages were not increasing as fast –The poor blamed the King (for rising prices) –Rich merchants and manufacturers resented paying taxes when nobles did not

Mutual Discontent (Between the first two Estates) Thought the King was gaining too much power Nobles felt they were losing their influence because of this

Financial Crisis Years of war under Louis XIV left France with debt Louis XV –Louis the Well-Beloved, backed by the people –Taxes were not enough, had to borrow money from Bankers

Financial Crisis Cont… Louis XVI –Higher debt due to helping US during the American Revolution –Financial advisors told him to tax the first two estates Nobles protested

Meeting of the Estates General (1789) First time a representative assembly had met in France since 1614 (called together by the 2 nd Estate)First time a representative assembly had met in France since 1614 (called together by the 2 nd Estate) Each estate met separately and each would cast one voteEach estate met separately and each would cast one vote Clergy and Nobles would out vote the Third EstateClergy and Nobles would out vote the Third Estate Louis XVI unwilling to change the voting system and the Third Estate ProtestedLouis XVI unwilling to change the voting system and the Third Estate Protested

National Assembly 3 rd Estate named themselves the legislative body that would make reforms in the name of the French people Proclaiming the end of an Absolute Monarch and the beginning of a Representative Gov’t

Tennis Court Oath Delegates of the 3 rd Estate pledged they would stay until a new constitution had been written

Storming the Bastille Fear of Louis XVI using military force French citizens began searching for arms and gunpowderFear of Louis XVI using military force French citizens began searching for arms and gunpowder They stormed the Paris prison – BastilleThey stormed the Paris prison – Bastille July 14 th Bastille Day = July 4 th

The Great Fear Peasants heard word of the rebellion in the country sides In fear of the Nobles taking action they struck first

THE END!