The French Revolution Revolution= Change French Revolution= Change in France.
Background Notes- of the French Revolution
description
Transcript of Background Notes- of the French Revolution
![Page 1: Background Notes- of the French Revolution](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062305/568161cc550346895dd1b49f/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Background Notes- of the French Revolution
“It was the Best of Times it was the Worst of Times”
![Page 2: Background Notes- of the French Revolution](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062305/568161cc550346895dd1b49f/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
I. Absolute Monarchy
• By the 1600s a system of government called absolute monarchy (monarch had total control of the state) had become dominant in Europe
• Following Spain’s decline (revolt in Netherlands); France under King Louis XIV emerged as the leading power.– Louis XIV (1643-1715- 72 years); I am the state! Believed in the
divine right of kings- that God had ordained him and his will was law.
– Palace of Versailles elaborate and burden on French economy.– Personal emblem- the Sun- whose rays symbolized the extent
of his power and influence
![Page 3: Background Notes- of the French Revolution](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062305/568161cc550346895dd1b49f/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
King Louis XIV
![Page 4: Background Notes- of the French Revolution](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062305/568161cc550346895dd1b49f/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Palace of Versailles
![Page 5: Background Notes- of the French Revolution](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062305/568161cc550346895dd1b49f/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
I. Absolute Monarchy (Cont.)– Under Louis XIV France had a 400,000 man army- most
powerful in Europe– Louis XIV had territorial ambitions- wanted to extend to
Rhine River- alarmed other nations.– Four wars fought between 1667-1713- financial burden,
many lives lost, French exhausted.– Louis XIV dies in 1715 and nobles win back many of the
powers they had lost during his rule– Louis XV- great grandson- 59 years of debt growing….– Louis XVI takes power young, shy, indecisive, marries
Marie-Antoinette from Austria.
![Page 6: Background Notes- of the French Revolution](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062305/568161cc550346895dd1b49f/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
![Page 7: Background Notes- of the French Revolution](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062305/568161cc550346895dd1b49f/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
II. Tradition of Taxation
• France sold the right to collect the direct tax (tax collectors were called tax farmers)
• Tax farmers paid the government a fixed sum after collecting what they could and keeping any extra.
• Clergy and nobles did not have to pay taxes
![Page 8: Background Notes- of the French Revolution](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062305/568161cc550346895dd1b49f/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
III. Social Order
• First Estate- Clergy 1%• Second Estate- Nobles with right to primogeniture (2%)• Third Estate- 97% of population
– Bourgeoisie (middle class: merchants, manufacturers, and professionals/lawyers & doctors) had wealth and education—wanted political power equal to economic strength
– Laborers and artisans – resented “tax farmers” and fact that nobles didn’t pay
– Peasants (owed feudal dues and services); paid 1/10th to church (tithe) – resented work and little pay, all their pay going to the lord and the church.. PLUS nobles didn’t pay!
![Page 9: Background Notes- of the French Revolution](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062305/568161cc550346895dd1b49f/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
IV. Enlightenment Ideas
• Ideas of Locke, Montesquieu, and others inspired the French Revolution.
• American Revolution – followed these ideas as the colonists successfully rebelled against Britain’s king.
![Page 10: Background Notes- of the French Revolution](https://reader036.fdocuments.net/reader036/viewer/2022062305/568161cc550346895dd1b49f/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)