What is a revolution?A revolution is when a government is overthrown throughforce - violently - usually by the common people.

Why were the French so unhappy by 1789 that they rose up against the King ? What were the conditions of their lives like to make them so unhappy?

P L TIC CAU S

O I ALSE

POLITICAL CAUSES

SO AL A SESCI C U

SOCIAL CAUSES

N I A S

ECO OM C C USE

S EA F N W I E

PR D O E D ASThere were 4 different groups of causes:

France and Europe ruled by kings King - absolute power The ordinary people - no power No democracy Feudal System Been like that for centuries Never been challenged

What is a democracy?A democratic governmentis one which has beenelected by the people - everyone has one vote.

France ruled by Louis XVI (16th) who ruled by “divine right” - supposedly appointed by God.King had absolute power - an autocrat.He could appoint and dismiss his government ministers at will.He could detain (imprison) anyone at any time, without trial.He could use money (collected through taxation) any way he liked - often on expensive wars or even on buying expensive gifts, clothes and houses for his mistresses.

CHURCH

NOBLES

BOURGEOIS & PEASANTS

French society was divided into three classes or estates:

THE 1ST ESTATE

THE 2ND ESTATE

THE 3RD ESTATE

You were born into your social group or class, and could notmove from one to the next.

The 1st and 2nd estates werewealthy, they paid no taxes, andthey held all the important positionsin the government and army.

The 3rd estate were not allowed to hold office (in the government or army) even though the Bourgeoiswere educated.The 3rd estate also paid all the taxes in the country but had no say in the way the country was run.

When looking at a political system important questions to ask are:Who rules? How did they get there? How do they rule? How do things change?

What is a feudal system?Peasants received land & protection from landowner.In return, they must work and fight for him.

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ECONOMIC CAUSES

The economy always has to do with money.Where does the government get its money?Who controls how the money is spent?What is the money spent on?

By 1789, France was bankrupt - had already borrowed money for various wars, and could not even pay the interest on these loans. Most of the government’s money came from taxes but only 3rd estate paid taxes - almost 80% of their earnings - not enough for country to survive on. The system needed to be changed but obviously the Church and Nobles resisted this!

WARS TAXATION DEBT

SO . . . . WHAT WERE THE TRIGGERS ?

SPREAD OF NEW IDEAS

The French Revolution spread the idea that all people should have rights - called human rights - which cannot be taken away from them. Ideas of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

EqualityEqual regardless of race, culture, religeon, gender, age, sexual orientation etc.

LibertyBorn free and remainfree - not slaves

FraternityWanting to help others,sticking together, banding together.

For the first time, people saw themselves as having value and worth and they started torealize that they could change their own lives.

Finally the King called the Estates General together - 1st time for over 175 years!He wanted their support to raise more taxes. Representatives of the different estates told to draw up a list of demands.This created an expectation that things were going to change - reforms.The 3rd Estate formed a National Assembly (more representative Parliament).They promised to draw up a constitution.

The harvests of 1788 & ‘89 were bad, bread prices rose, people were starving.Bread prices had risen but not wages. Rumours that the King intended to increase taxes.

When these reforms did not happen fast enough, people became very angry.

On 14 July 1789, crowd stormed the Bastille - prison in Paris - symbol of oppression & injustice.

First time ordinary people acted together, violently, to bring about change.

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THE FRENCH REVOLUTION’S IMPACT?

DURING THE REVOLUTION

One must remember that the revolution was a series of events spread over 10 years,not just one event.

At the beginning, the National Assembly introduced some important reforms:1. Feudal system ended - peasants did not have to pay taxes to landlords.2. Nobles lost many privileges.3. Laws made by elected parliament, not just King.4. Church lost its land and power.5. Declaration of Human Rights was formally documented.

WAR & the TERRORSOther Kings in Europe were terrified the revolution would spread and that they, too, would lose their powers (and lives?), so they invaded France.Wanted to defeat Revolutionaries and restore the King.Many people wanted to defend France so they accepted changes introduced by a new revolutionary government who formed The Committee of Public Safety.This small group introduced new strict laws, people suspected of plotting against the revolution - imprisoned, guillotined or drowned or shot!Many new freedoms disappeared.This period called the ‘Reign of Terror’.After the revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte ruled France.

* Human rights more accepted and applied.* Societies became more democratic.* Rise in Nationalism - people now proud of country & identity. Saw themselves as One nation - symbolised by flag and anthem.* Ordinary people showed they could make things happen.

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SOURCES

Identify the bias in each of these sources.

Ask yourself: who produced it & why.Write down anything else you noticeabout each source.

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source I source J