Road to Revolution

Road to Revolution

Seven Years War 1756-1763

Seven Years War 1756-1763

Britain vs. France/Spain

Colonial competition

Europe, North America, Central America, West Africa, India, Philippines

Results:

Colonies changed (Spain lost Fla, France kicked out of India, lost land in N. America, etc.)

European nations were bankrupt

American Revolution1775-1783

American Revolution1775-1783

Colonists in North America vs British Loyalists

Taxation

France supported the Patriots (Colonists)

Results:

Colonists won, Americans

France bankrupt

French Financial IssuesFrench Financial IssuesBroke from wars (Seven Years, American Revolution, etc.) and Versailles/nobility

The King could not tax the 1st & 2nd Estates without a vote

A meeting of the Estates General was called

Raised taxes on 3rd Estate, w/o representation

1st is the Clergy, 2nd is Nobility, 3rd is everyone else. Each got one vote.

Results:

3rd Estate embraces Enlightenment

Interesting FactInteresting Fact• At the Estates General meeting there was much

traditional and ritual.

• One tradition involved where everyone sat.

• The King sat in the middle, the 1st and 2nd Estates to his right, the 3rd Estate to his left.

• Today, we say is someone in politics is “to the right,” we mean his is conservative, doesn’t want change, etc. If their politics are “to the left,” they are considered liberal or demand progressive change.

right left

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To the left To the rightTo the right

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Fascist/ N

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Fascist/ N

azi

French RevolutionFrench RevolutionThird Estate formed the National Assembly

Represent “the People”

Military arrived in Paris/Versailles

Storming of the Bastille (a fortress/ prison)

Contained weapons

Symbol of the monarchy

Was completely dismantled