Chapter 23: The French Revolution

1700’s

France was now the leading county of Europe

Center of Enlightenment

ProblemsPeople were divided into three classes

First Estate: Roman Catholic Clergy (1%)

Second Estate: Rich Nobles (1%)

This 2% of the society owned about 20% of the land and paid no or very little taxes

Problems in France

3rd Estate: The bourgeoisie – wealthy merchants and skilled workers (9%)

City workers – cooks, servants (9%)

Peasants – farm workers – 80% of the population

This estate had few rights

Paid high taxes

Were very angry

Eventually they would revolt

Revolution

Three factors leading to the revolution1 – Enlightenment spread the idea that everyone should be equal2 - French economy was failingHigh Taxes kept profits low and food supply was short3 – King Louis XVI was a weak unconcerned leader his wife, Marie Antoinette was a big spender and much disliked

Revolution

A wave of violence occurred across the country and Great Fear swept into the land

The third Estate had started a Revolution against the Monarchy

Revolution brings Reform and Terror

1789The National Assembly took steps to change FranceA law ended all the special privileges that members of the first and second estates enjoyedAnother law gave all French men equal rightsThe powers of the Catholic Church were cutThe government overtook church lands hoping to sell them and make moneyThe assembly worked on a plan for new government

New Government

Louis was fearful for his safetyOne night he and his family tried to escapeThey were caught brought back to Paris and lived under guardLost power and respect1791 – the assembly drew up a new constitution dividing France into two groups those who wanted more radical changes and those who wanted to end the revolution

Louis XVI fate

Another convention was formed and yet another new governmentThey declared Louis a common citizen and then put him to deathOrdered thousands of French men to join the army to fight against the countries who were attacking fearing revolution would come to their country

Maximilien Robes Pierre

New leader of France

Many changes

Death to those who did not agree with him

Reign of Terror

Ended in 1794 when he put himself to death

Napoleon

Napoleon Bonaparte became the master of FranceClass work:

In your small Group Develop a “contract” that represents the goals and developments at the Congress of Vienna (p. 672-675)Place the countries Flags on the report that were representedDisplay the legacy of the CongressHang the contract on the wall next to the Flag – include the last names of those in your group on the backHomework – Era 6 Packet: Chapter 24.1: Latin American Peoples with Independence (p.73)