Causes of the French Revolution

Learning Target: Describe the factors, that led to the French Revolution

What were the causes?1. Three estates– Unfair tax system – Social inequality

1st 2nd

Estate Estate

3rd Estate

Catholic Clergy1% of Pop.Owned 5-10% of LandReceived 10% TithePaid no taxes

Nobility2% of PopOwned 25% of landHeld all govt. and military positionsPaid no taxesReceived Feudal Dues

97% of PopulationPaid all of the taxesNo Voice in GovernmentInspired by Enlightenment Ideas

BourgeoisieArtisansPeasants

The Three Estates

What were the causes?2. Enlightenment Ideas/American Rev.– Belief all men should have natural rights– Right to overthrow an unjust gov’t– Equality for all– American Revolution

• Dec. of Independence • Constitution

What were the causes?

3. King Louis XVI’s Weak Leadership – 19 years old– Indecisive

What were the causes

4. Economic ProblemsWars: 7 Years War/French & Indian, American

RevolutionLouis XVI lifestyleEconomic Depression

Crop failuresUnemployment

Which of the following is not a cause of the French Revolution?

Unfair class

s...

Unfair taxes

Ignorin

g the M

...

Exp

enses from...

Exce

ssive sp

en...

20% 20% 20%20%20%A. Unfair class systemB. Unfair taxesC. Ignoring the Magna

CartaD. Expenses from the

American Revolution

E. Excessive spending by the King

France’s Situation• France’s Government is in extreme debt. Half of

France’s debt is contributed to war, especially money owed for helping the US gain independence. The Government is near bankruptcy and the banks are refusing to lend money to the troubled country.

• Recent crop failures have caused a shortage in food, making famine a real possibility. Yet the newspapers publish stories about King Louis’ lash parties and his wife’s extreme spending habits. Assuming the role you were assigned yesterday, what would you do to solve the problems in France?

• King Called the Estates General to “convince” the 1st and 2nd Estate to pay taxes

What is the Estates General?– Legislative body, similar to parliament– Had not met since 1614 ( 179 years!)– Made up of members from all 3 Estates– Each Estate has one Vote

Estates General Voting

• Each estate only received one vote1 Vote First Estate Clergy 1 Vote

Second Estate

Nobles

Third Estate

1 Vote Commoners

Estates General Situation

• . The Estates General has members from each Estate but each only has one vote regardless of the population. The Nobles and the clergy plan to force the third estate to pay even more taxes so they don’t have to. 2 votes against 1

• Is there another alternative?

Another Solution

• 300 Members 1st Estate

• 300 Members 2nd Estate

• 648 Members 3rd Estate

1 Vote per Representative

Third Estate outvoted - what should they do?

• Established the National Assembly – a new legislative body– One vote per representative– Members of the 3rd Estate, later joined by other estates

• Pledged the Tennis Court Oath• Marks the beginning of the Moderate Phase of the Revolution

What is the Tennis Court Oath?

• National Assembly’s pledge to write a new constitution making France a ____________________

The Tennis Court Oath was when:

A. Robesp

ierre...

B. The 3rd est.

..

C. The Nationa...

D. Napoleon vo...

25% 25%25%25%A. Robespierre vowed to form a republic in France

B. The 3rd estate vowed to make a constitution

C. The National Assembly issued a document giving equal rights to men

D. Napoleon vowed to blockade England until it suffered

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

What was the Spark?

• King Mobilized Troops • 3rd Estate feared King would dissolve the

National Assembly• The Spark: The Bastille is stormed

What is the Storming of The Bastille?

• Bastille – a prison where weapons and prisoners were held

• A mob charged the prison to steal weapons and free 7 prisoners

• 97 rioters killed• Symbol of French Independence– July 14, 1789

Which of the following events is the symbolic beginning of the French Revolution?

A. Creation of the National Assembly

B. Tennis Court OathC. Storming of the

BastilleD. March on Versailles