The French DividedThe French Divided

In the late 1700s, prices soared as wages decreased in Paris, France

Poor people took up arms RIOTS VANDALISM

The Old RegimeThe Old Regime

Ancien Regime (ahn-cei ahn)Old order that had emerged during Middle Ages

People divided into estates 1st Estate—Clergy 2nd Estate—Nobility 3rd Estate—Majority of population

The Old RegimeThe Old Regime

ClergyClergy11stst Estate Estate

Great wealth

Church owned 10 percent of land, paid no taxes

Bishops were in nobility

Social services Schools Hospitals Orphanages

NobilityNobility22ndnd Estate Estate

Top government jobs Army, courts, and church Many did not have much income

Still had lavish life Difficulties maintaining lifestyle Scared of loosing privileges

BourgesoisieBourgesoisie33rdrd EstateEstate

Bourgesoisie (bour zwa zee), or middle class

Bankers, merchants, manufactures, lawyers, doctors, journalists, professors, mostly peasants

Urban Workers Very bottom Apprentices and industry workers

The ProblemThe Problem

1st and 2nd Estates paid almost NO taxes

Huge financial issues Deficit Spending When government spends

more than it brings in Half of gov income went to paying interest!

Estates-General not effective

Estates GeneralEstates General 1788-France nearly bankrupt

1 vote for each estate 3rd estate always overlooked

Tennis Court Oath Delegates in 3rd Estate vow to

represent the people of France Renames themselves The National

Assembly

Swore to “...never separate and to meet wherever the circumstances might require until we have established a sound and just constitution.” Swore to “...never separate and to meet wherever the circumstances might require until we have established a sound and just constitution.”

Parisians Storm BastilleParisians Storm Bastille

July 14, 1789800 Parisians assembled outside the Bastille, a prison for political and other prisoners Heard rumor about stored gun power and arms

stored here Commander at Bastille opened fire Riots ensued

commander killed Five prisoners released No weapons found

Symbolized abuse by the monarchy Bastille day known as national independence day for

France