The French Revolution

Objective: Describe the French Revolution.

France

What were the social classes before the revolution? First Estate (clergy) - .5% of people Owned 10% of land, paid 2% tax

What were the main social classes before the revolution? Second Estate (rich nobles) – 1.5 % of

people Owned 20% of land, paid almost no tax

What were the main social classes before the revolution? Third Estate (everyone else) – 98 % of

people. Three levels: (A) Bourgeoisie; (B) Middle level

workers/laborers; (C) Peasants

France’s Estates (Social Classes)

Quick Write (2min)

What problems might arise out of France’s Three Estates system?

Quick Write Answers

Bourgeoi$ie thought they should have more rights and $tatus

Enlightenment thinkers had reached the third estate (books, etc.)

The American Revolution was a successful ‘role model’ of the people fighting opression

What was France like before the Revolution? France’s economy was failing

Too many taxes Too many people & food shortages (due to

bad weather) Irresponsible government spending

France financed the American Revolution (France, Great Brittan = Rivals)

Spending on themselves

Louis XVI wanted to pass tax laws

What was the Estates-General?

King Louis XVI called the Estates-General to solve the economic crisis.

All three estates met in Versailles, France

What happened at the Estates-General? Each estate received on vote, even though

the Third Estate had the most people Estate 1 & 2 knew they could out vote 3

What happened at the Estates-General? King Louis XVI kept the same system after

the objections of the Third Estate

Reactions

If you were living in France at this time, what would your reaction be if you were a member of the first two estates?

What would your reaction be if you were a member of the third estate?

How did French citizens react to the King’s actions at the Estate-General? The Third Estate met to write a new

Constitution and declared itself the new National Assembly – Tennis Court Oath

How did French citizens react to the King’s actions at the Estate-General? The Third Estate met to write a new

Constitution and declared itself the new National Assembly – Tennis Court Oath

In Paris, workers stormed the Bastille (royal armory and prison)

Storming of the Bastille

How did French citizens react to the King’s actions at the Estate-General? The Third Estate met to write a new

Constitution and declared itself the new National Assembly – Tennis Court Oath

In Paris, workers stormed the Bastille (royal armory and prison)

Riots took place in villages all over France

What did the new National Assembly do?

August 26, 1789 – Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen “all men are born with their right to life and liberty” “equality under the law”

What did the new National Assembly do? A new French Constitution was written that

allowed the King to keep power (at first)

How did the Paris Commune turn the revolution violent? Paris Commune = angry citizens protesting

food shortages and France’s loss of war to Austria and Prussia

How did the Paris Commune turn the revolution violent? Members of the Commune gain power in

the National Assembly 1792 – Assembly removes King from power

and sentences him and his wife, Marie Antoinette, to death

Guillotine

King Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette

How did the Paris Commune turn the revolution violent? Reign of Terror = Maximilien Robespierre

and 11 other members of the Assembly kill 40,000 people

How did the Paris Commune turn the revolution violent?

After 2 years of terror, the Assembly removes Robespierre of power and is executed

How did France react after the Reign of Terror? There were 3 groups of people

How did France react after the Reign of Terror? There were 3 groups of people

some wanted the monarchy back

How did France react after the Reign of Terror? There were 3 groups of people

some wanted the monarchy back some were supporters of Robespierre and

wanted to continue the executions

How did France react after the Reign of Terror? There were 3 groups of people

some wanted the monarchy back some were supporters of Robespierre and

wanted to continue the executions some were supporters of the French military

How did France react after the Reign of Terror? General Napoleon

Bonaparte takes all control of the government in 1799

Summary