1. A Look at the Characters and Causes
French Revolution
A Look at the Characters and Causes

2. Vive la France…a look at Revolutionary France

3. Marie Antoinette & Louis XVI
The French Monarchy:
Marie Antoinette & Louis XVI

4. I. French Revolution – an overview
Chronology - Sketch of Events
French State undergoes a massive revolution in politics but also in society and the way people think. The calling of the Estates General in 1789 was the catalyst for the Revolution.
Liberal Revolution
Radicalization
Ineffective Reaction
Napoleon

5. Marie Antoinette and the Royal Children

6. Marie Antoinette’s “Peasant Cottage”

7. Marie Antoinette’s “Peasant Cottage”

8. II. The Causes of the French Revolution
Intellectual Causes
Ideas of the Enlightenment
B. Prior Revolutions
Glorious Revolution, American Revolution

9. C. Social Causes 1.The Problem of the Estates System
First Estate: The Clergy Second Estate: The Nobility Third Estate: Everyone Else
2.Subdivisions of the Third Estate
The Bourgeoisie
The Peasants
The Urban Poor of Paris

10. D. Political Causes - The Run-Up to 1789
1. Successors to Louis XIV and The Weakening of Absolutism
2. Louis XV
3. Louis XVI
4. Conflict with Parlements and Ruling Classes
5. Louis XVI's Government

11. Socio-Economic Data, 1789

12. The French Urban Poor

13. Financial Problems in France, 1789
Urban Commoner’s Budget:
Food %
Rent %
Tithe %
Taxes %
Clothing 20%
TOTAL 170%
King’s Budget:
Interest %
Army %
Versailles 25%
Coronation 10%
Loans %
Admin %
TOTAL %

14. French Budget, 1774

15. E. Problems with State Finances
1. Economic Weakness
2. Taxation Problems
3. Dependence on loans
4. Cost of Mid Century Wars
5. The Cost of Versailles and the Royal household etc.
6. Bankruptcy of the State.
7. The problem was the government could not service the debt.

16. F. Failed Effort to Fix Finances
1. Jacques Necker :
2. Charles Alexander de Calonne

17. III. Events Leading to Calling of Estates General
A. Calonne's Plan – land tax and abolish parlements for assemblies based on land ownership
B. Opposition – policy led to clash with nobility
C. Assembly of Notables 1787 – attempt to get support for the plan from Clergy and aristocracy
D Coup d'etat of Parlements – led to calling of Estates General

18. IV. The Calling of the Estates General
The representative body of the Three Estates
Called in July 1788 (last met 1614), to meet in This was the crucial step: the end of absolutism
Parlements were recalled and asked on how the Estates General should be conducted (Sept ), said it should be done in the same way as in 1614.
This disgusted the Third estate, who would only have 1/3 of votes.
Royal Council - Dec said Third Estate would twice as many reps as the other two.
This was the catalyst for a lot of political excitement.

19. The Suggested Voting Pattern: Voting by Estates
Clergy
1st Estate 1
Aristocracy
2nd Estate 1 1
Commoners
3rd Estate
Louis XIV insisted that the ancient distinction of the three orders be conserved in its entirety.

20. The Number of Representatives in the Estates General: Vote by Head!
Clergy
1st Estate
300
Aristocracy
2nd Estate
300
648
Commoners
3rd Estate

21. Evaluation of Causes: Which ones do you think historians give the most credit/blame to for causing the revolution? Why?

22. Wrap Up of French Rev
Quick political cartoon at the bottom of your class notes showing the causes of the French Revolution