Background Notes- of the French Revolution

“It was the Best of Times it was the Worst of Times”

I. Absolute Monarchy

• By the 1600s a system of government called absolute monarchy (monarch had total control of the state) had become dominant in Europe

• Following Spain’s decline (revolt in Netherlands); France under King Louis XIV emerged as the leading power.– Louis XIV (1643-1715- 72 years); I am the state! Believed in

the divine right of kings- that God had ordained him and his will was law.

– Palace of Versailles elaborate and burden on French economy.– Personal emblem- the Sun- whose rays symbolized the extent

of his power and influence

King Louis XIV

Palace of Versailles

I. Absolute Monarchy (Cont.)

– Under Louis XIV France had a 400,000 man army- most powerful in Europe

– Louis XIV had territorial ambitions- wanted to extend to Rhine River- alarmed other nations.

– Four wars fought between 1667-1713- financial burden, many lives lost, French exhausted.

– Louis XIV dies in 1715 and nobles win back many of the powers they had lost during his rule

– Louis XV- great grandson- 59 years of debt growing….– Louis XVI takes power young, shy, indecisive, marries

Marie-Antoinette from Austria.

King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

II. Tradition of Taxation

• France sold the right to collect the direct tax (tax collectors were called tax farmers)

• Tax farmers paid the government a fixed sum after collecting what they could and keeping any extra.

• Clergy and nobles did not have to pay taxes

III. Social Order

• First Estate- Clergy 1%• Second Estate- Nobles with right to primogeniture (2%)• Third Estate- 97% of population

– Bourgeoisie (middle class: merchants, manufacturers, and professionals/lawyers & doctors) had wealth and education—wanted political power equal to economic strength

– Laborers and artisans – resented “tax farmers” and fact that nobles didn’t pay

– Peasants (owed feudal dues and services); paid 1/10th to church (tithe) – resented work and little pay, all their pay going to the lord and the church.. PLUS nobles didn’t pay!

IV. Enlightenment Ideas

• Ideas of Locke, Montesquieu, and others inspired the French Revolution.

• American Revolution – followed these ideas as the colonists successfully rebelled against Britain’s king.