2. The French Revolution: Underlying

3. Absolute Monarchy The people of France were upset with the denial of basic rights Estates General had not been allowed to meet in 175 years People had no say in government Could not curb the king’s actions King seemed out of touch with the needs of his subjects Outlandish spending on wars and personal paraphernalia

4. King Louis XVI Queen Marie Antoinette

5. Social Inequality Third Estate had the largest burden, but had no political influence Estates General Voting System  One vote per estate Who does this favor? Nobility did not have to pay taxes Utter disregard for the welfare of the Third Estate (Tale of Two Cities Excerpt)

6. Economic Injustice Food prices were at an all-time high (due to a bad harvest) Peasants and urban workers could not afford bread Average worker made 15 sous a day Family needed 2 loaves of bread a day Price of bread jumped from 9 sous a loaf to 14.5 sous People resorted to crime Mobs stole grain and/or assaulted bakers

8. The Enlightenment Call for democratic reforms Questioned traditional French society known as the “Old Regime” Why should the First and Second Estates have privileges at the expense of the Third Estate? Does not government derive its power from the people? Are not the Third Estate people?

9. The American Revolution Inspired by the American Revolution If the American colonies could overthrow a tyrannical monarch, why couldn’t the people of France?