Revolution Soup: Unpacking the 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__