1. The Revolution Begins Main Idea Essential Questions
Problems in French society led to a revolution, the formation of a new government, and the end of the monarchy.
Essential Questions
What caused the French Revolution?
What happened during the first events of the Revolution?
How did the French create a new nation?

2. Causes of the Revolution
Long-standing resentments against the monarchy
Inequalities in society
Existing social and political structure
Called the Old Order
King at the top and estates under him
King Louis XVI, shy and indecisive
Unpopular, self-indulgent queen, Marie-Antoinette
Rest of French society divided into three classes, called estates

3. Varied widely in what they contributed in terms of work and taxes
The Three Estates
Varied widely in what they contributed in terms of work and taxes
Roman Catholic clergy
1% of the population
Exempt from taxes
Owned 10% of land
Collected rents & fees
Bishops and other clergy grew wealthy
First Estate
Nobility
Less than 2 percent of the population
Paid few taxes
Controlled much wealth
Held key positions
Government
Military
Second Estate
97% of the population
Bourgeoisie—city-dwelling merchants, factory owners, and professionals
Sans culottes—artisans and workers
Peasants—poor with little hope, paid rents and fees
Third Estate

4. Further Causes Enlightenment Ideas A Financial Crisis
Inspiring new ideas from Enlightenment philosophers
Great Britain’s government limiting the king’s power
American colonists rebelled successfully against British king
New ideas changed government and society in other countries
Enlightenment Ideas
Severe economic problems affected much of the country
France in debt, spending lavishly, borrowing money, and facing bankruptcy
Hailstorm and drought ruined harvest; harsh winter limited flour production
People hungry and angry; clergy and nobility no help
A Financial Crisis

6. What were the causes of the French Revolution?
Summarize
What were the causes of the French Revolution?
Answer(s): inequalities in society, Enlightenment ideas, poor leadership, financial crisis, hunger and cold

7. First Events of the Revolution
By 1789, no group happy
1st & 2nd estates lost power to monarchy
Bourgeoisie resented regulations
Poor worse off
Estates General meets
Desire for reforms
Voting process a problem
Third Estate proclaimed themselves National Assembly
Tennis Court Oath
Storming of the Bastille
People went to the prison searching for weapons, and stormed the Bastille
Beginning of French Revolution
Great Fear spread
Were in fear the king would retaliate for Bastille
Rumors of massacres
Peasants destroyed records and burned nobles’ houses

8. Legislating New Rights
Creating a New Nation
Feudal dues eliminated
Adopted Declaration of Rights of Man
Inspired by the English Bill of Rights, American Declaration of Independence, and the writings of Enlightenment philosophers
Men are born equal and remain equal under the law
The rights did not extend to women
Legislating New Rights
Louis tried to protect Versailles
Angered the common people
Mob marched to Versailles broke into the palace and demanded bread
Louis agreed to live in Paris
National Assembly passed laws against the church, clergy, etc
Clergy & many peasants were horrified by the new laws
Restrictions on Power

9. Formation of a New Government
In 1791, the Legislative Assembly was formed. Citizens gained voting rights, but they were not universal. Constitution restricted power of king. King and queen feared they would be harmed, so they put on disguises and fled, but they were recognized & returned to Paris.
Other nations warned against harming monarchs
Austrian army defeats French
Financial strain of war, food shortages, and high prices
King blamed
Foreign Powers
August 10, 1792 royal family imprisoned by mob
Legislative Assembly stepped aside & Radical faction took charge with National Convention
Monarchy abolished; France declared a republic
End of Monarchy
New French republic held ground against Europe’s Old Order.

10. Sequence
What steps did National and Legislative Assemblies take to create a new nation?
Answer(s): National Assembly completed constitution and created Legislative Assembly; Legislative Assembly—created a new legislature, the National Convention, which abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic