Origins of the French Revolution

Mr. Westfall’s

World Studies

The French Class System

• 1st Estate– Clergy of the Roman Catholic Church– Less than one percent of the population– DID NOT HAVE TO PAY TAXES– Owned 1/10 of the land in France– Received money from rent, taxes and fees from

its occupants

The French Class System Cont…

• 2nd Estate– Nobility– Less than two percent of the population– PAID FEW IF ANY TAXES– Held the highest positions in military and gov’t

The French Class System Cont…

3rd Estate (Two divisions)1. Bourgeoisie – City dwelling middle class

merchants, manufacturers and professionals (doctors and lawyers)

2. Peasants – TAXED THE MOST, most were in debt, 1/10 of income was paid to the church (Tithe) and had no voice in making or changing of laws

0

20

40

60

80

100

% of Population

1st Estate

2nd Estate

3rd Estate

0

10

20

30

40

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% of Income Paid inTaxes

1st Estate

2nd Estate

3rd Estate

Growing Discontent

• Increase in population

• Changing Economic Conditions– A rise in prices required landowners to increase

rent– Wages were not increasing as fast– The poor blamed the King (for rising prices)– Rich merchants and manufacturers resented

paying taxes when nobles did not

Mutual Discontent(Between the first two Estates)

• Thought the King was gaining too much power

• Nobles felt they were losing their influence because of this

Financial Crisis

• Years of war under Louis XIV left France with debt

• Louis XV– Louis the Well-Beloved, backed by the people– Taxes were not enough, had to borrow money

from Bankers

Financial Crisis Cont…

• Louis XVI– Higher debt due to helping US during the

American Revolution– Financial advisors told him to tax the first two

estates• Nobles protested

Meeting of the Estates General Meeting of the Estates General (1789)(1789)

• First time a representative assembly had First time a representative assembly had met in France since 1614 (called together met in France since 1614 (called together by the 2by the 2ndnd Estate) Estate)

• Each estate met separately and each would Each estate met separately and each would cast one votecast one vote

• Clergy and Nobles would out vote the Third Clergy and Nobles would out vote the Third EstateEstate

• Louis XVI unwilling to change the voting Louis XVI unwilling to change the voting system and the Third Estate Protestedsystem and the Third Estate Protested

National Assembly

• 3rd Estate named themselves the legislative body that would make reforms in the name of the French people

• Proclaiming the end of an Absolute Monarch and the beginning of a Representative Gov’t

Tennis Court Oath

• Delegates of the 3rd Estate pledged they would stay until a new constitution had been written

Storming the Bastille

• Fear of Louis XVI using military force Fear of Louis XVI using military force French citizens began searching for arms French citizens began searching for arms and gunpowderand gunpowder

• They stormed the Paris prison – BastilleThey stormed the Paris prison – Bastille

July 14July 14thth Bastille Day = July 4 Bastille Day = July 4thth

The Great Fear

• Peasants heard word of the rebellion in the country sides

• In fear of the Nobles taking action they struck first

THE END!