1. Causes & Background Information
The French Revolution
Causes & Background Information

3. Enlightenment Ideas
Scientists during the Renaissance had discovered laws that govern the natural world
Philosophes apply natural laws to human beings
Particularly to human institutions such as governments
Philosophes were secular in thinking – they used reason and logic, rather than faith, religion, and superstition, to answer important questions
Used reason and logic to determine how governments are formed
Tried to figure out what logical, rational principles work to tie people to their governments
Questioned the divine right of kings
Popularity of Enlightenment ideas led many to seek social and political change, question The Old Regime
Enlightenment and the American Revolution
2:30 -4:15

4. American Revolution
Showed Enlightenment ideas could be put into practice in forming a new government
France helped out monetarily and sent soldiers leaving them both in debt and inspired
Learned from American Revolutionaries by helping
Influenced the French Revolution

5. Government corruption
Rulers
Louis XIV – The Sun King
Louis XV – Apres me, le deluge
Louis XVI –
Marie Antoinette – Let them eat cake
All leaders lived lavish and extravagant life styles
Right of Divine Rule
Outdated social system from the Middle Ages (feudalism)

6. Divine Rule Monarch ruled by divine right Other powers
God put the world in motion
God put some people in positions of power
Power is given by God
No one can question someone put in power by God
Questioning the monarchy was blasphemy because it meant questioning God
Other powers
Imprisonment at any time for any reason
Levied all taxes and decided how to spend money
Made all laws
Controlled military
3:30 – 6:20
7:50 – 8:26
8:50 – 10:22

7. Louis XIV (1643-1715) The Sun King: the world revolved around him
Built up France to be a powerful European nation
Palace of Versailles
Set standard for elegance and extravagance

8. Palace of Versailles

9. Louis XV (1715-1774) All-powerful center of government Extravagant
Lost Seven Years’ War against Britain
Borrowed heavily from banks to keep government running
“Apres moi, le deluge”

10. Louis XVI (1774-1793) Meant well but not a good leader
Eventually lost power to make laws and the people voted for his execution
Lived too extravagant
Married to Marie Antoinette
Eventual collapse of French economy and beginning of the revolution

11. Marie Antoinette Wasteful spender
Marriage to Louis XVI was political move to ally France and Austria
Resented by French
“Madame Deficit”
“Let them eat cake”
4:15 – 5:38

12. Economic Hardship War debts Borrowing money Raising taxes
Deficit spending – a government is spending more money than it takes in from tax revenues
Raising taxes
Burden of taxes on the lower class
Food shortages
Economy based primarily on agriculture

13. Social Class System Outdated, feudal ages
“The Old Regime” or L’Ancien Regime
The Three Estates
First Estate – Clergy
Second Estate – Nobility
Third Estate – Everyone else
Bourgeoisie – middle class
Discontent among the Three Estates
Each wanted to improve own power and position

14. Long Term Causes - Review
Absolutism – government with a single ruler
Corrupt monarchs, overspending, lack of care for the people
Enlightenment Ideas
Children of the Enlightenment who believed that the government could be rationally formed, free country from tyranny
American Revolution
Economic struggles
Droughts  Poor harvest  Little trade, little money
Inflation, taxation
The Old Regime
Unjust and outdated socio-political system

15. This must be turned in at the end of class!
Final Activity: 3-2-1
On a separate sheet of paper please complete the following:
3 – Things you learned today
2 – Things (people, events, etc) you want to learn more about or are interested in
1 – Question you have related to this topic
This must be turned in at the end of class!