1. Introduction to the French Revolution

2. Before he was known as King Louis XVI
Louis Capet or “Citizen Capet”
His brother was the true heir to the throne but died as a child
Ill prepared for throne
Great-grandson of Louis XIV (the Sun King)
Enjoyed hunting, wrestling and locksmithing

3. Grandfather: King Louis XV His parents died of smallpox
Age 15 married 14 year old Hapsburg Archduchess Marie Antoinette (second cousin once removed)
Their marriage was arranged to cement a union of the Hapsburgs and Bourbons- bitter rivals since the 16th century
Tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial infection that involves the lungs, but may spread to other organs

4. Marie Antoinette Mother: Marie Theresa
Father: Holy Roman Emperor Francis I
Had many siblings including Joseph II.
Viewed as an outsider
High spirited tomboy
Rather lazy, extremely frivolous
Very social
Loved to gamble
Exquisite taste in fashion, furniture, jewelry

5. Marie Antoinette:
Will have four children with Louis XVI (all but one will die as a child)
Sought refuge at her private domain at Versailles- the Petit Trianon
Very fancy “peasant cottages”
“Had the tastes of an actress, not an austerely regal queen”
Necklace Affair (was innocent but not in the eyes of the French citizens)

6. King Louis XVI & the Road to Revolution
Louis became King of France at age of 20
Very immature and lacked self-confidence
Wanted to be a good king and help his subjects
French Subjects:
Severe food shortages
Weighed down by taxes
Resentful of royal absolutism
Desired self-government (like the United States)
Estates General had not met since 1614.
Rising resentment toward King & Queen
Louis= too indecisive
Marie Antoinette: blamed for country’s financial situation

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

10. Review from last night’s homework
1. What was the social structure of the old regime in France?
2. What economic troubles did France face in 1789, and how did they lead to further unrest?
3. What actions did delegates of the Third Estate take when the Estates-General met in 1789?
4. What was the significance of the storming of the Bastille?

11. Ancien Regime= Old Order
First Estate= clergy Second Estate= nobility Third Estate= majority of population

12. *Epoch: period of time, beginning of a historical era
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity…
-- Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities
*Epoch: period of time, beginning of a historical era
Incredulity= amazement, wonder

13. Socio-Economic Data, 1789

14. The French Urban Poor

15. Cartoon #1
How does the Cartoonist portray the Third Estate? Explain why.
What were the differences among the social classes in pre-revolutionary France?

16. Cartoon #2
How does the Cartoonist portray the Third Estate? Explain why.
What were the differences among the social classes in pre-revolutionary France?

17. Cartoon #3
How does the Cartoonist portray the Third Estate? Explain why.
What were the differences among the social classes in pre-revolutionary France?

18. Ticket to Exit:
Judging from what you’ve learned about the social divisions within France’s three estates and what you currently know about the social classes in our country today, give me one example how they are alike and one way they are different.