French Revolution Overview
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Transcript of French Revolution Overview
The French Revolution
Causes of the Revolution 1789
Economic Crisis Three Estates
(societal break down) Social Inequality Influence of the
Enlightenment & American Revolution
Louis XVI
Economic Crisis
Heavy Taxes Crop Failures – food riots Support of Americans in their Revolution DEBT! Half of budget went to interest!
The Three Estates
1st Estate = Clergy (1%) of population
2nd Estate = Noble
(2%) of population 3rd Estate =
Bourgeoisie, (middle class) workers, peasants. (97%)
Social Inequality
1st and 2nd Estates were extremely Privileged only ones to hold important positions Exempt from taxes 97% of population paying half of income
to taxes (3rd)
Influence from America and the Enlightenment
It is right to take up arms against Tyranny
No taxation without Representation
All men should have liberal freedoms
A Republic is superior to a monarchy
Louis XVI
Preferred personal interests to court interest-delegated authority.
Weak leader Incapable of strong
decisive actions Ignored economic
woes until too late.
Marie Antoinette
Married Louis when she was 14 (he was 15
Austrian Royalty Very unpopular Known as “Madame
Deficit”
Estates- General Meeting May 1789
France was almost bankrupt Louis called for Estates General Meeting
(first time in 175 years) It is an assembly of Reps from all three
estates 2nd Estate (nobles) forced Louis to call for
the meeting
Revolution Dawns
Two privileged estates always out voted the third.
Third Estate tired and want change no matter what
Third Estate had more representatives than the first or second combined but had less power.
The National Assembly is formed: June 1789
Third Estate Reps vote to establish and call themselves “The National Assembly” to form a Republic.
They proclaimed the end to absolute monarchy!
Tennis Court Oath 1st Deliberate act of Rebellion and
Revolution.
Louis’ reaction to the National Assembly:
Tries to make peace before full-scale rebellion
Yields to demands of National Assembly
Louis felt scared and ordered his Swiss Body Guards to Paris.
Reaction?
The Storming of the Bastille July 1789
The storming of the Bastille July 1789
Paris peasants here of Louis decision to send his mercenary soldiers.
They fear that they will be killed. The peasants and bourgeoisie storm the
Bastille, a local Prison, to arm themselves. The mob grows as open rebellion takes
over the entire city and then spills into the country side.