The French RevolutionCAUSES OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

What is the French Revolution?• Common People overthrew a

king and form a new government in the one of the most powerful and wealthy countries in the world (The only time in history)

• First time a Monarchy and Nobility were replaced by democracy and popular rule

• Freedom and Individual Rights become government priorities

• The ideas of the enlightenment become a reality

The Legacy of the French Revolution• Things almost immediately go

wrong• Violence then Chaos• War and Public executions by the

Thousands• Dictatorship then even more war• In the end, after 20 years of

insanity, a new kings is appointed in France and the revolution ends

• However, the revolution does not die, the ideas live on and act as the foundation for many of the political and social changes of the 19th century

The Enlightenment• The ideas of the Enlightenment

were the foundation of the complaints against the king

• They were also the foundation for the concept that a government could be ruled by the people for the people

• The enlightenment suggested that people have natural rights that should be protected and that a government that disregards these rights rules illegally

• The enlightenment was not the greatest source of anger in the people, however, it was a very important cause

The American Revolution• The success of the American

revolution proved that democracy could work and that common people could rise to power

• It acted as a model• Most importantly, French troops

fought beside Americans in the Revolution

• These troops fought, suffered and died for the cause of Freedom. Then they came home to absolutism and oppression

• If they could fight for the freedom of others, then they could fight for their own freedom

Bankruptcy• France had been involved in many

costly wars during the reigns of Louis the 14th, 15th and 16th

• They had recently fought, and lost, the seven years war

• They had sent soldiers, naval vessels and money to support he American revolution

• In addition, the King and the nobility were spending enormous amounts on luxury

• France was completely bankrupt!

Louis the 16th•Louis was a weak

ruler•Although he was

well liked and popular, he lacked the ability to be ruthless

•Not highly intellegent

•Was easily influenced, especially by his wife, Marie Antionette

Interesting Facts about Louis• Louis had phimosis, a problem which

prevented him from having intercourse –easily fixed by circumcision – he was married for 7 years before he had intercourse with his wife – this causes permanent problems between husband and wife

• Louis was called a “fat, ill-breed boy” by his Father’s mistresses, most agreed he did not have the qualities to be a leader

• Louis was very good at manual labour - interested in locks – he fiddled with the palace locks in his spare time – he admitted privately that he wished he could live a simple life as a locksmith

• Many thought Louis was a drunk – however, he did not drink excessively – he would often eat to the point of collapse

Marie Antoinette• Marie was married when she was only 13• Although she was an attractive, intelligent and cultured

girl, she received no attention from her husband• She fell into loneliness and depression• She was also hated by the French people, she was blamed

for the Royal couples lack of Children• To combat her situation, Marie turned to a extravagant and

pleasure seeking lifestyle• She often influenced Louis to create policy that would

favour her and her rich friends• For example: Marie Antoinette was influential in preventing

the King from reforming the tax system• She never said “Let them eat Cake!” - a myth based on

writing of Rousseau – Marie was only 9 when the book was published

• However, Marie was not a villain – she was in fact dedicated to helping the poor through charity – however, she became a symbol of the extravagance of royal life and was a target of the revolutionaries

The Estate System• The People of France were divided into 3 Estates• The First Estate was the clergy• Approximately 100,000 people• The Second Estate was the Nobility• Approximately 400,000 people• Both did not have to pay taxes• Most lived in great luxury in chateaux and palaces• The Nobles had almost complete authority over the peasants• They collected tolls for usage of the roads, markets, mills, ovens and

winepresses• Were not required to do Military Service• Despite all their privileges, they were politically unimportant since

the time of Louis the 14th

• Several attempts were made to tax the nobility, but Louis was to weak to implement it

The Third Estate• 90% of the Population• Forced to do military service• Forced to pay taxes and tolls to the King, Nobility

and Clergy – economically crushing• Denied important positions in the government

and Army• Were not allowed to hunt to supplement the diet• Not all the third estate were peasants – many in

France were educated – doctors, lawyers, merchants, middle class workers - shared the same fate as the country folk

Yearly Income

Archbishop of Paris 50,000 Livres

Marquis de Mainvilette 20,000 Livres

Prince de Conti 14,000 Livres

A Parish Priest in Paris 10,000 Livres

A typical Village Priest 750 Livres

A Master Carpenter 200 Livres

The Harvest Crisis• This was the spark that set off

the firestorm• Very few fruits and vegetables

were being produced by France’s farms

• The price of produce, especially wheat and bread were very high

• Despite the crisis, taxes continued to rise to combat the national debt

• The people of France were starving

• They began to protest and soon became violent