2.2 causes of the french revolution
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Causes of the French Revolution
Intro to the French Revolution (0:00 to 3:36)
1. Influence of the Enlightenment Philosophers
Challenged the theory of “Divine Right of Kings” Quote from Voltaire, “A little evil is often
necessary for obtaining a great good.”
Enlightenment Clip (1:30 to 3:37)
Causes of the French Revolution
Causes of the French Revolution
2. The Social Structure in FranceA. The Old Regime
The Three Estates Taxes were uneven (the poor paid almost
everything)
B. Peasants not as oppressed in France as in other countries
Revolution often occurs NOT when conditions are the worst
People begin to expect better conditions.
Causes of the French Revolution
3. Growing middle class Known as the Bourgeoisie Gaining wealth & Demanding a voice France contained the most numerous,
prosperous, and influential bourgeoisie – middle class in all of Europe
Furnished the revolution with its principal leaders
Causes of the French Revolution
4. Ongoing Financial CrisisA. Massive Debt
Huge war debt left over from Louis XIV Inability to solve the tax situation
Two failed attempts: Turgot tried to tax all three Estates (ideas were
shut down by the Parlements & the “Flour War”) Necker strategy of borrowing money
Interest alone on the debt was more than 50% of France’s income
Causes of the French Revolution
4. Ongoing Financial Crisis (continued)
B. Continued Spending and Corruption Louis XVI had the most extravagant and most
corrupt court in all of Europe Louis support of the American Revolution (100% of
this money was borrowed)
Debt Video Clip (3:38 to 5:38)
Causes of the French Revolution
5. High prices, famine, cold and mobs Ongoing issues of unemployment in Paris – up to
50% unemployment Constant food shortages – intensified by the poor
harvest in 1788
The food Crisis (8:12 to end)
Food Crisis continued (0:00 to 1:25)
Causes of the French Revolution
6. The example of the American Revolution 9000 Frenchmen fought alongside the Americans
in their revolution Lafayette was a key leader in the American
Revolution and the French Revolution
Causes of the Revolution
7. The character of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
Louis XVI was weak an indecisive
Antoinette was from Austria
(4:33 – 7:45) People were publishing
pamphlets and were spreading rumors about the king and queen
(5:39 – 8:10)
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