The Beginning of the French Revolution PHASE ONE: From Estates-General to National Assembly

Enlightenment ideasEnlightenment ideas American RevolutionAmerican Revolution Old RegimeOld Regime Privileges of 1st & 2nd estatePrivileges of 1st & 2nd estate Burdens of the 3 rd estateBurdens of the 3 rd estate Financial crisis – impending bankruptcy…Financial crisis – impending bankruptcy… Causes of Revolution

Any thoughts on how France found itself on the brink of bankruptcy?

Extravagance (Versailles)Extravagance (Versailles) Debt from warsDebt from wars Aid for American RevolutionAid for American Revolution Banks refuse to lend moneyBanks refuse to lend money Crop FailureCrop Failure French Financial Crisis French Financial Crisis

Horrible Histories: Wife Swap

France Needed Money!!!!France Needed Money!!!! Louis XVI called a meeting of The Estates General in hoping to agree on new taxes to be applied to the First & Second EstatesLouis XVI called a meeting of The Estates General in hoping to agree on new taxes to be applied to the First & Second Estates French Financial Crisis

The Estates-General had not met since 1614The Estates-General had not met since 1614 Made up of delegates representing each EstateMade up of delegates representing each Estate They met separately, but the 3rd Estate wanted all 3 Estates to meet togetherThey met separately, but the 3rd Estate wanted all 3 Estates to meet together King refused – locked out 3 rd Estate!King refused – locked out 3 rd Estate! National Assembly & Tennis Court Oath

Tennis Court Oath:Tennis Court Oath: Instead of leaving, the Third Estate formed the National AssemblyInstead of leaving, the Third Estate formed the National Assembly They met on the palace tennis courts & promised not to disband until they had written a constitution for FranceThey met on the palace tennis courts & promised not to disband until they had written a constitution for France National Assembly & Tennis Court Oath

First deliberate act of the revolution!!First deliberate act of the revolution!! Why was the creation of the National Assembly an act of revolution?Why was the creation of the National Assembly an act of revolution? National Assembly & Tennis Court Oath

King ordered other estates to join the National Assembly, BUT called in troops in ParisKing ordered other estates to join the National Assembly, BUT called in troops in Paris Debates and sometimes violence took place in the streetsDebates and sometimes violence took place in the streets Call to Revolt

Rebellion grewRebellion grew King gathered more troopsKing gathered more troops Paris citizens became fearful that the King would dissolve the National Assembly & halt reforms so they took action…Paris citizens became fearful that the King would dissolve the National Assembly & halt reforms so they took action…

Storming the Bastille The Bastille is a prison in ParisThe Bastille is a prison in Paris Symbol of the injustices of the monarchySymbol of the injustices of the monarchy Huge mob surrounded Bastille & attempted to steal weaponsHuge mob surrounded Bastille & attempted to steal weapons (to defend the National Assembly) Forced way into prison; freed prisonersForced way into prison; freed prisoners Mob took over prison (July 14, 1789)Mob took over prison (July 14, 1789)

Liberated prisoners parading later in the day

After Bastille, waves of violence spread through FranceAfter Bastille, waves of violence spread through France Rumors spread about nobles hiring robbers to kill & steal from peasantsRumors spread about nobles hiring robbers to kill & steal from peasants The Great Fear

Peasants react; get weaponsPeasants react; get weapons Drive nobles off their landDrive nobles off their land The First Wave of the French Revolution had struck!The First Wave of the French Revolution had struck! The Great Fear