The The French French

RevolutionRevolutionThe Three The Three

EstatesEstates

Tale of the Times in Tale of the Times in FranceFrance

Political Problems Political Problems (Gov.)(Gov.)

Economic Problems ($)Economic Problems ($)Social Problems Social Problems (People)(People)

Political ProblemsPolitical ProblemsYoung King Louis XVI takes Young King Louis XVI takes power in 1774 (20 yrs)power in 1774 (20 yrs)

Forgetful of State Problems Forgetful of State Problems (starvation, taxation…)(starvation, taxation…)

Loved door locks.Loved door locks.

The MarriageThe Marriage Married Marie Antonia Married Marie Antonia

(Antoinette in French) of Austria.(Antoinette in French) of Austria. Both very young (Louis = 15 and Both very young (Louis = 15 and

Marie = 14)Marie = 14) Spent too much money!!! (aka Spent too much money!!! (aka

“Madam Deficit”)“Madam Deficit”) Sexual Problems leads to no Sexual Problems leads to no

Children …and public ridicule.Children …and public ridicule.

12 yrs old12 yrs old 15 yrs 15 yrs oldold

Marie Antoinette with her 4

children?

Economic Economic ProblemsProblems

War Cost too Much!!!War Cost too Much!!! (French and Indian War, The (French and Indian War, The American Revolution)American Revolution)

Opulent Spending Opulent Spending (Castles, (Castles, Parties…)Parties…)

This lead to an increase in This lead to an increase in TaxesTaxes

Social Problems *Social Problems *Life Divided into Three Life Divided into Three Estates (Classes)Estates (Classes)

First Estate (privileged)First Estate (privileged)Second Estate Second Estate (privileged)(privileged)

Third EstateThird Estate

First EstateFirst EstateThe Church The Church (2 % of (2 % of

Population)Population)

Owned 10% of all Owned 10% of all LandLand

Privileged class Privileged class (Paid no (Paid no Taxes)Taxes)

Second EstateSecond EstateThe Nobles The Nobles (1 % of (1 % of

Population)Population)

Owned 30% of all Owned 30% of all LandLand

Privileged class Privileged class (Paid no (Paid no Taxes)Taxes)

The NoblesThe NoblesNoblese de EpeeNoblese de Epee

The old KnightsThe old KnightsNoblese de RobeNoblese de Robe

Paid money to be part of Paid money to be part of the Noble Classthe Noble Class

The Third EstateThe Third EstateEveryone Else = Middle Everyone Else = Middle Class, Lower Class, Class, Lower Class, Working Class, and Working Class, and Peasants. (97% of Pop)Peasants. (97% of Pop)

Lots of Restrictions, Paid Lots of Restrictions, Paid all Taxes.all Taxes.

Problems Spawn Problems Spawn ResentmentResentment

Third Estate develops Third Estate develops a hatred for first two a hatred for first two Estates.Estates.

Not Equality, Not Not Equality, Not Fairness, No Justice!!!Fairness, No Justice!!!

The X-FactorThe X-FactorThe EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment Ideas from Locke, Voltaire Ideas from Locke, Voltaire

and Rousseau offered hope and Rousseau offered hope for the Third Estate.for the Third Estate.

Perhaps Revolution?Perhaps Revolution?