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Unit 4 The French Revolution and Napoleon

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Causes of the French Revolution

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Political Causes King was divine right monarch People were denied voice in government Louis XVIincompetent Dull mind No leadership qualities Marie Antoinetteunpopular Austrian Hapsburg Vain, frivolous person

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Social Causes- 3 Estates First Clergy 1.5% Second Nobility 1.5% Third Bourgeoisie Merchants Bankers Attorneys City workers Peasants 97%

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Social Causes- 1 st & 2 nd Estates Owned most land Collected feudal dues (banalites) Were exempt from most taxes Held best government/military jobs Received special legal treatment Did include some poor parish priests

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Social Causes 3 rd Estate (Bourgeoisie) Most powerful group on continent Wealthy and well-educated Resented arrogance of nobles Wanted role in shaping governmental policies Wanted to end mercantilism, preferring laissez- faire Ideas presented by economist Adam Smith Wealth of Nations (1776)

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Social Causes- 3 rd Estate Third Estate (whether bourgeoisie or peasants) was unprivileged class

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Economic Causes Spending Louis XVI Spent heavily to aid American colonists against Britain Maintained lavish court at Versailles Refused to tax privileged classes

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Economic Causes-Taxes Bourgeoisie Provincial tariffs on trade Guild restrictions on manufacturing Government mercantilistic regulations Peasants of income=taxes To government Taille (land tax) Corvee (forced labor) Gabelle (tax on salt purchases) To Church--tithe To lordsbanalites

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Economic Causes Ignored Advice He ignored economic advice to: End court extravagances Tax the nobility Louis heeded his nobles and dismissed economic advisors

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Ideological Causes French Philosophes Challenged traditional thinking and institutions Vision

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Ideological Causes Other Revolutions England--Puritan Revolution and Glorious Revolution Geographically close English took refuge in France French philosophes praised English parliamentary government

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Ideological Causes Other Revolutions American Revolution Lafayette and other French involved Franklin and Jefferson were popular American envoys to France

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Causes Concept Map