Introduction to the French Revolution

Before he was known as King Louis XVI

Louis Capet or “Citizen Capet”

His brother was the true heir to the throne but died as a child

Ill prepared for throneGreat-grandson of Louis

XIV (the Sun King) Enjoyed hunting,

wrestling and locksmithing

Grandfather: King Louis XVHis parents died of

smallpoxAge 15 married 14 year

old Hapsburg Archduchess Marie Antoinette (second cousin once removed)

Their marriage was arranged to cement a union of the Hapsburgs and Bourbons- bitter rivals since the 16th century Tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial infection

that involves the lungs, but may spread to other organs

Marie Antoinette Mother: Marie Theresa Father: Holy Roman Emperor

Francis IHad many siblings including

Joseph II. Viewed as an outsider High spirited tomboyRather lazy, extremely frivolous Very social Loved to gambleExquisite taste in fashion,

furniture, jewelry

Marie Antoinette: Will have four children with

Louis XVI (all but one will die as a child)

Sought refuge at her private domain at Versailles- the Petit Trianon

Very fancy “peasant cottages”

“Had the tastes of an actress, not an austerely regal queen”

Necklace Affair (was innocent but not in the eyes of the French citizens)

King Louis XVI & the Road to Revolution

Louis became King of France at age of 20 Very immature and lacked self-confidenceWanted to be a good king and help his subjects French Subjects:

Severe food shortagesWeighed down by taxesResentful of royal absolutism Desired self-government (like the United States) Estates General had not met since 1614.

Rising resentment toward King & QueenLouis= too indecisiveMarie Antoinette: blamed for country’s financial situation

The French Monarchy:1775 - 1793

Marie Antoinette & Louis XVI

Review from last night’s homework1. What was the social structure of the old

regime in France?

2. What economic troubles did France face in 1789, and how did they lead to further unrest?

3. What actions did delegates of the Third Estate take when the Estates-General met in 1789?

4. What was the significance of the storming of the Bastille?

Ancien Regime= Old Order

First Estate= clergy

Second Estate= nobility

Third Estate= majority of population

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity… -- Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities

*Epoch: period of time, beginning of a historical

eraIncredulity= amazement, wonder

Socio-Economic Data, 1789

The French Urban Poor

01020304050607080

% of Income Spent on Bread

17871788

Cartoon #1

1. How does the Cartoonist portray the Third Estate? Explain why.

2. What were the differences among the social classes in pre-revolutionary France?

Cartoon #2

1. How does the Cartoonist portray the Third Estate? Explain why.

2. What were the differences among the social classes in pre-revolutionary France?

Cartoon #3

1. How does the Cartoonist portray the Third Estate? Explain why.

2. What were the differences among the social classes in pre-revolutionary France?

Ticket to Exit: Judging from what you’ve learned about the social divisions within France’s three estates and what you currently know about the social classes in our country today, give me one example how they are alike and one way they are different.