1. AP EURO Unit #3 – Scientific Revolution and the Era of the Enlightenment Lessons #308 Crisis in Political Legitimacy

2. Essential Questions 11. What was Louis XV’s impact on the decline of the French? 12. How did the American Revolution effect the French?

3. Louis XV r.1715-1774 Succeeded his great-grandfather (he was 5) Would be succeeded by his grandson Most scholars believe Louis XV's decisions damaged the France – weakened the treasury – discredited the absolute monarchy – made monarchy more vulnerable to distrust and destruction – Norman Davies characterized Louis XV's reign as "one of debilitating stagnation," characterized by lost wars, endless clashes between the Court and Parliament, and religious feuds – Jerome Blum described him as "a perpetual adolescent called to do a man's job."

4. Louis XV Financial crisis after War of Aust. Succession Tax reform needed; 5% income tax suggested, and shot down by Parlement of Paris Same for Seven Years War – king suggested, Parlements refused, king backed down Hired Rene de Maupeou – to be a thug – Abolished parlements – Taxed the most privileged – People turned against king – saw him as a tyrant – DESACRALIZATION of the king Parlements restored – Used new power to block all taxes on them – Nobility came to pay almost no taxes by law

5. Mississippi Bubble Financial debacle John Law (Scottish $$ minister) Created Bank of Paris – to print $$ for Mississippi Company Mississippi Company was to have monopoly of trade with Louisiana Law encouraged investment in Mississippi Co. Stock rose faster than expected Speculators invested, then sold stock for gold from Bank of Paris Ran out of gold – stock plummeted French crown lost a fortune

6. Assessment of Louis XV Not “bad,” just not effective Absolutist Lacked energy & desire to rule Playboy and big spender Absence of political leadership Official titles to mistresses

7. The English and the American Revolution Seven Years War – created debt – Doubled British debt Crown and Parliament agreed that colonies should be a revenue generator, not a drain Expected colonies to pay for their own defense from Indians, Spanish and French Taxed colonies in 1765 – Colonies rebelled Parliament argued that all British were represented in Parliament British crown gave monopoly on tea to China to British East India Company (1773) – This cut out American ship companies – Led to Boston Tea Party British Reaction: Coercive Acts (close Boston harbor, restricted power of colonial legislature) First Continental Congress (1774) – compromise rejected by them and by Parliament

8. The English and the American Revolution Fighting broke out 1775 at Lexington and Concord Question: what is purpose of colonies? Question: what power do colonies have to decide their own fate? British used German mercenaries, and enslaved their own colonies to control them Where did they get the audacity to do that? What justification did Americans have to insist on liberty or separation from crown? What was Jefferson’s inspiration in writing the Declaration of Independence?

9. The English and the American Revolution France saw an opportunity to get revenge for defeats Supplied guns and munition Sent French volunteers by 1777 Marquis de Lafayette (20 years old) Formal alliance by 1778 (Ben Franklin, ambassador) Spanish and Dutch declared war (1779/1780) British stretched too thin – fighting two front war on two continents TREATY OF PARIS (1783) What did this show? Why was America exceptional?

10. The French and the American Rev. Was a war of Louis XVI Supporting Americans became an obsession Bankrupted the French crown Result: French debt so high, took half of tax $$ to pay interest on debt (to “service” loans) French officers inspired by liberties in America Intellectuals in France admired new system French citizens who fought wanted some of that democracy thing…