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Background Notes- of the French Revolution

Background Notes- of the French Revolution. “ It was the Best of Times it was the Worst of Times”. I. Absolute Monarchy. By the 1600s a system of government called absolute monarchy (monarch had total control of the state) had become dominant in Europe

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Background Notes- of the French Revolution

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  1. Background Notes- of the French Revolution “It was the Best of Times it was the Worst of Times”

  2. I. Absolute Monarchy • By the 1600s a system of government called absolute monarchy (monarch had total control of the state) had become dominant in Europe • Following Spain’s decline (revolt in Netherlands); France under King Louis XIV emerged as the leading power. • Louis XIV (1643-1715- 72 years); I am the state! Believed in the divine right of kings- that God had ordained him and his will was law. • Palace of Versailles elaborate and burden on French economy. • Personal emblem- the Sun- whose rays symbolized the extent of his power and influence

  3. King Louis XIV

  4. Palace of Versailles

  5. I. Absolute Monarchy (Cont.) • Under Louis XIV France had a 400,000 man army- most powerful in Europe • Louis XIV had territorial ambitions- wanted to extend to Rhine River- alarmed other nations. • Four wars fought between 1667-1713- financial burden, many lives lost, French exhausted. • Louis XIV dies in 1715 and nobles win back many of the powers they had lost during his rule • Louis XV- great grandson- 59 years of debt growing…. • Louis XVI takes power young, shy, indecisive, marries Marie-Antoinette from Austria.

  6. King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

  7. II. Tradition of Taxation • France sold the right to collect the direct tax (tax collectors were called tax farmers) • Tax farmers paid the government a fixed sum after collecting what they could and keeping any extra. • Clergy and nobles did not have to pay taxes

  8. III. Social Order • First Estate- Clergy 1% • Second Estate- Nobles with right to primogeniture (2%) • Third Estate- 97% of population • Bourgeoisie (middle class: merchants, manufacturers, and professionals/lawyers & doctors) had wealth and education—wanted political power equal to economic strength • Laborers and artisans – resented “tax farmers” and fact that nobles didn’t pay • Peasants (owed feudal dues and services); paid 1/10th to church (tithe) – resented work and little pay, all their pay going to the lord and the church.. PLUS nobles didn’t pay!

  9. IV. Enlightenment Ideas • Ideas of Locke, Montesquieu, and others inspired the French Revolution. • American Revolution – followed these ideas as the colonists successfully rebelled against Britain’s king.

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