The French Revolution

What are good reasons for revolt?

S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution.

Setting the Stage S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning

Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution. In the 1700’s France was considered

the most advanced country of Europe. Why?

– Large population, successful foreign trade, center of the Enlightenment, huge cultural center.

But….there was also…– High taxes, skyrocketing prices due to bad

harvests and drought, high debt due to extravagant lifestyles of rulers.

Inspiration: The American Revolution

1776- American Colonists declare their independence from Great Britain, Revolutionary War begins- Colonists win!

Declaration of Independence

circulating throughout France,

inspiring many.

S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution

Causes of the Revolution

Social/Political Structure

Economic Trouble

Weak LeadershipEnlightenment

Ideas

Social/Political Structure In France, social classes were divided into estates

First Estate– Made up of clergy of the Roman Catholic Church– Owned 10 percent of all land in France– Had access to high offices and exempt from paying

taxes

Second Estate– Made up of rich nobles, 2% of population.– Also held highest offices in government, paid little or

no taxes.– S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the

French Revolution

Third Estate

–Included the bourgeoisie, urban lower class, and peasants (97% of population)

–Had no power to influence government and paid highest taxes–Urban workers were paid the lowest wages–Forced military service.

–Each estate got one vote, so the 3rd estate was usually outnumbered by the 1st and 2nd.

*Bourgeoisie- merchants, artisans, businesspeople

MIDDLE CLASS–S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution

Enlightenment Ideas

Members of the third estate were inspired by Enlightenment ideas.– What kind of ideas from the philosophes

would inspire the 3rd estate? Resented First and Second estates for

all the privileges they received. Voltaire and Rousseau spoke of

liberty, equality, democracy.

S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution

Economic Troubles

By 1780’s France’s once prosperous economy was in decline.

Factors– Heavy burden of taxes (especially on third estate)– Cost of living was rising quickly– Widespread crop failures due to drought– Government was deep in debt because of war and

extravagant spending by King and Queen– S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the

causes of the French Revolution

Weak Leaders

King Louis XVI was an indecisive leader Paid little attention to advisors Didn’t like details Loved to entertain and hunt Wife Maria Antoinette was not popular

with citizens- “Madame Deficit” Bankrupted the French Government S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the

French Revolution

The Spark When the government was bankrupt, Louis

did the unheard of…taxed the nobility. They forced him to call a meeting of the Estates-General to approve this tax.

Problem: which rules to follow?– Medieval rules? Each estate meets in separate

rooms and each estate had ONE vote.– Enlightenment rules? All three estates meet

together and each representative gets one vote

King Louis XIV enforces the medieval rules.S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution

What happened next?

So the third estate develops the National Assembly on June 17, 1789, to pass laws and reforms in the name of the French people.

This in essence means that they deny the existence of the absolute monarch (Louis XIV).

Tennis Court Oath- locked out of meeting room, met on tennis court and pledged to stay until they had drawn up a constitution.

S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution

And then what? Rumors flew around the city that Louis was going use military force to break up the National Assembly or massacre French citizens. People began to gather weapons in order to defend

the city and the National Assembly. On July 14, 1789 a mob searching for gunpowder

and arms stormed the Bastille (a Paris prison) and takes control.

This becomes known as Bastille Day in France—the symbolic start of the French Revolution. S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution

Exit

What are reasons for the French Revolution?S. 1 DOK 1-2; Learning Target: I can identify the causes of the French Revolution