1. The French Revolution
1789

2. The French Revolution Causes of the Revolution Absolute Monarchy
France was an absolute monarchy
Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
Under absolutism, most people in France were denied basic rights
Social Inequality
Everyone in France was divided into three ‘Estates’
1st: Clergy
2nd: titled nobility
These two classes held enormous wealth and did not have to pay taxes
3rd: Bourgeoisie, city workers, and rural farmers
Economic Injustices
In the late 1780s, the government was spending more than it was producing
Lavish lifestyle and costly wars were paid for in taxes by the third estate
Rioting caused by bread shortages worsened the situation
Total Population = 28,000,000

3. Stages of Political Revolutions
The French Revolution
Enlightenment
Enlightenment thinkers were critical of France’s absolute monarchy
This led many French to question the unfair tax system
English and American Examples
Glorious Revolution in England provided an example of challenging authority
Inspired by the American colonies’ fight for liberty and equality
Stages of Political Revolutions
Emergence of a strong leader
Injustices of the Old Regime
Return of Moderates
Rule by Moderate Reformers
Rule by Radical Revolutionaries

4. Stages of the French Revolution
Step 1!
The Revolution Begins
As conditions grew worse in France, demands for reform increased and Louis XVI was forced to call the Estates General into session in 1789

5. Stages of the Revolution
Step 2!
National Assembly
The Third Estate, the only elected group in the Estates General, declares itself the National Assembly and vows to write a new Constitution for France

6. Stages of the Revolution
Step 3!
Seizure of the Bastille
Working-class people, already rioting over the price of bread, stormed a prison called the Bastille on July 14, Fighting broke out through city and countryside during what became known as the Great Fear

7. The Storming of the Bastille

8. Stages of the Revolution
Step 4!
Moderates in Power
The king (Louis XVI), frightened by the increasing turmoil, agreed to allow the National Assembly to begin reforms

9. Stages of the Revolution
Step 5!
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
The National Assembly abolished privileges of the First and Second Estates and adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
Based partly on the Declaration of Independence

10. Stages of the Revolution
Step 6!
New Constitution Includes a Limited Monarchy
By 1791, the National Assembly had drafted a Constitution that outlined the new government:
Set up a limited monarchy and a representative government
Declared that people had natural rights!
Church was now under state control

11. Stages of the Revolution
…Step 7
Radicals Claim Power
Radicals took control of the National Assembly, abolish the monarchy, set up a republic, convict King Louis XVI of treason, and have him executed in 1792
This event triggered a period of time referred to as the Reign of Terror
Led by Maximillien Robespierre, the Reign of Terror was responsible for the imprisonment and/or execution of thousands

12. HW Assignment For homework tonight:
Complete a one-page journal entry through the perspective of one of the profiles you created in class today
The journal should be written as if you are currently experiencing the French Revolution in 1791
How would your experience be changed by the estate you are in?
How would your feelings about what is happening in France be different based on the estate you are in?