Causes of the French Revolution

1. Causes of the French Revolution

2. Progressive Thought Poor Leadership Economic Uncertainty Inequality Revolution Soup Recipe for Revolution

3. Causes of the Revolution Long-standing resentments against the monarchy • Inequalities in society • Existing social and political structure • Called the Old Order, or ancient régime • Group Assignment

4. First Estate Second Estate Third Estate • Roman Catholic clergy • One percent of the population • Exempt from taxes • Owned 10 percent of the land • Collected rents and fees • Bishops and other clergy grew wealthy • Nobility • Less than 2 percent of the population • Paid few taxes • Controlled much wealth • Held key positions • Government • Military • Lived on country estates • Largest group—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 The Three Estates Varied widely in what they contributed in terms of work and taxes

5. So, What’s the Big Deal? • First & second estate many privileges • No taxes but richest • Lived in luxury • Hold positions of importance • No military service • Was this fair?

6. What does this political cartoon say about the economic and political conditions in France? • Why would the 1st and 2nd Estate be opposed to change or enlightenment ideas? The Three Estates

7. Inequality Today

10. 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

11. Economic Problems • Debt = $700 million • War Debt (Louis XIV) • Money spent on luxuries • Tax system corrupt • Banks would not lend France money • Reform tax system? • Bad Harvest

12. Weak Leaders? • Louis XIV’s Wars and Palace • Slide 10 • Louis XVI Versailles • Louis XVI • 19 when he took over • Cared more about self than nation • Marriage to Marie Antoinette • From Austria • Big spender

13. The Estates General

14. The Estates General • Law making body of France • Had not met since 1614 • Louis hope to approve new tax plan • 1st and 2nd hoped to continue priv. • 3rd estate wanted new style of gov and solutions to their problems • ? Of procedures

15. National Assembly Established • Created by members of 3rd estate • Goal = new constitution for France

16. Tennis Court Oath • June 20th 1789 at royal tennis court • Oath = would not stop until King met their demands • Result = King gave in and 1st and 2nd estate became part of National Assembly

17. Storming of the BastilleJuly 14, 1789 • Old prison-fortress in Paris • Initial reason was to get ammunition • The seven inmates, none of them political prisoners, were freed. • The governor, Launay, and was dragged through Paris to the City Hall and killed • The Bastille only had 110 men to fight and there were 300 people in the mob • July 14 is French Independence Day • The attack is considered the beginning of the French Revolution • Adopt tricolor flag – vertical red, white, blue • “Great Fear” • French_Revolution__The__Part_I__April__1789___September__1791__

18. Weak Leaders?

19. The Bastille • Old prison-fortress in Paris • Symbol • July 14 1789 search for weapons to defend against Kings troops • French Independence Day • Adopt tricolor flag – vertical red, white, blue • “Great Fear” • French_Revolution__The__Part_I__April__1789___September__1791__