The Eve of Revolution

Lesson 1Ch 6.1

Big Idea: Social unrest, economic troubles, and the desire for political reforms led to the French Revolution.

Describe the social structure of the old regime Outline why France faced economic troubles in

1789 Explain why Louis XVI called the Estates

General Summarize why a Paris crowd stormed the

Bastille

Objectives

How did the French aid the Americans

in their Revolution?

Troops Supplies Financial aid

Warm Up

The Old Regime

The Clergy 1st estate Wealth & privilege 10% land; No taxes High Priests vs

parish priest Schools, hospitals,

orphanages

The Nobles 2nd Estate Govt jobs, army,

courts, church Owned land Hate absolutism ,

royal bureaucracy Feared loss of

privileges

The Old Regime

The Third Estate ~27 million Bourgeoisie &

Peasants

Discontent Nobles best jobs Taxes

What was the social structure of

the old regime?

T-P-S

Economic Troubles

Deficit Spending A govt’s spending

more $ then takes in

Burden of Debt 7 yrs War, Am. Rev

debt Lavished court Increase taxes

Economic Troubles

Poor Harvests Econ problems 1780s prices soar

Failure of Reform Louis XVI weak

leader Jacques Necker- tax

the rich!

Why did France face economic

troubles in 1789?

T-P-S

Louis XVI Calls

Estates General Cahiers

Cahiers- notebooks w/ grievances

Called for reforms Freedom of

press, fairer taxes, regular meetings

Tennis Court Oath Estates General

convened May 1789

Voting issue National Assembly

declared Create

Constitution Locked out of

meeting hall

Why did

Louis XVI call the Estates General?

T-P-S

Storming the Bastille

July 14, 1789 800 assembled Soldiers shoot,

mob breaks in “It is a

revolution”

http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUrEJBsWLfA Watch to 30:54

Video

Simulation

How was storming the Bastille a

huge step toward a Revolution??

Closure