1. The French Revolution End of Absolutism

2. Problems They needed to maintain an army and a navy They needed to maintain an army and a navy The Monarchy was only getting a fraction of the taxes collected The Monarchy was only getting a fraction of the taxes collected Growing national debt Growing national debt Rigid social structure Rigid social structure Growing discontent with the inequalities of the system Growing discontent with the inequalities of the system

3. Living Conditions The peasants were starving The peasants were starving People worked hard and lost most of their gains in taxes People worked hard and lost most of their gains in taxes

4. Three Estates The first estate - Roman Catholic clergy and it had great power The first estate - Roman Catholic clergy and it had great power The Second Estate - Hereditary aristocracy and different classes of Nobles The Second Estate - Hereditary aristocracy and different classes of Nobles The third estate - Everyone else, almost 98% of the population The third estate - Everyone else, almost 98% of the population

5. Tax Crisis The tax system was not effective in taxing all members of society The tax system was not effective in taxing all members of society The “tax farmers” were allowed to keep whatever they collected above a set rate for the monarchy The “tax farmers” were allowed to keep whatever they collected above a set rate for the monarchy Tax exemptions granted to 1st and 2nd Estates made it difficult to meet needs Tax exemptions granted to 1st and 2nd Estates made it difficult to meet needs Social tensions were created by the inequality of the system Social tensions were created by the inequality of the system

6. Third Estate Dilemma First and Second Estate each had 300 members. Third Estate had 600 First and Second Estate each had 300 members. Third Estate had 600 Each estate voted amongst itself for a consensus vote Each estate voted amongst itself for a consensus vote Each estate voted as one entity with one vote Each estate voted as one entity with one vote Third estate always lost by a vote of 2 to 1 Third estate always lost by a vote of 2 to 1

7. Louis XVI’s Unpopular Choices Assembly Hall lockout Assembly Hall lockout Firing of Jacques Necker Firing of Jacques Necker

8. Fall of the Bastille General population is now behind the revolution General population is now behind the revolution Peasants stopped paying taxes Peasants stopped paying taxes Bourgeoisie assumed leadership of revolution and counted on peasant support Bourgeoisie assumed leadership of revolution and counted on peasant support Peasants had their own ideas Peasants had their own ideas

9. Revolution – The Moderate Phase

10. “The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizens” Equal rights Equal rights Respect for Liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression Respect for Liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression The Sovereignty of the Nation The Sovereignty of the Nation Political Liberty Political Liberty Equal Justice Equal Justice Government by Rousseau’s General Will Government by Rousseau’s General Will Freedom of speech Freedom of speech Participation in the government Participation in the government

11. The Constitution of 1791 Constitutional Monarchy with the King as Head of the Executive Branch Constitutional Monarchy with the King as Head of the Executive Branch King had veto power over actions of the Legislative Assembly King had veto power over actions of the Legislative Assembly Legislative Assembly controlled appointment and dismissal of Ministers of the Crown Legislative Assembly controlled appointment and dismissal of Ministers of the Crown General population voted for a college of electors General population voted for a college of electors Electors chose members of the assembly Electors chose members of the assembly

12. Constitution of 1791 Positions of responsibility were open to all citizens regardless of birth Positions of responsibility were open to all citizens regardless of birth All citizens would be taxed equally according to their ability to pay All citizens would be taxed equally according to their ability to pay Justice system would apply equally to everyone Justice system would apply equally to everyone Freedom of expression, assembly and religion would be guaranteed Freedom of expression, assembly and religion would be guaranteed

13. Who Could Vote? “Active Citizens” “Active Citizens” French males at least 25 years old who could pay taxes equal to the value of three days work, and who were not servants. This restricted many people from voting French males at least 25 years old who could pay taxes equal to the value of three days work, and who were not servants. This restricted many people from voting

14. Problems This government did little to help the poor of the country. While the powers of the Church and Monarchy were reduced, the gains were only seen by the middle classes and the poor were not seeing any beneficial change This government did little to help the poor of the country. While the powers of the Church and Monarchy were reduced, the gains were only seen by the middle classes and the poor were not seeing any beneficial change