Do Now

• Assume your roles from Tuesday. I will assist you in sitting according to your Estate.

• Get out your Revolution Comparison Chart. We will discuss the first part of the simulation and review.

• We will continue our French Revolution simulation with a meeting of the Estates General!

Simulation Norms

• Participate to the best of your ability• Be open-minded• Respect other people’s opinions and ideas• Do not interrupt the speaker• No profanity, insults, harassment • Follow role expectations (for specific roles)

The French Revolution (1789)

What was the government before the revolution?• The government in France had long been an

absolute monarchy. King Louis XIV “The Sun King” ruled with divine right as did Louis XV and passed the rule onto his grandson, King Louis XVI.

• King Louis XVI ruled France with his Queen, Marie Antoinette.

French Revolution

What was the problem?1. King Louis XVI ruled with divine right and absolute power2. Enlightenment ideas were spreading and the people

wanted change!3. France was DEEP in debt:

a. The cost of wars (Seven Years War, American Rev.) was expensive

b. Unequal taxation of three estates (1st and 2nd paid NO taxes, 3rd estate paid ALL taxes)

c. King Louis XVI and his court lived in luxury and spent LOTS of money!

4. French people were starving because of bad harvests5. King Louis ignored the needs of his people. He didn’t want

to deal with problems of the country.

The Three Estates

1st ESTATE______________________

2nd ESTATE_______________________________

3rd ESTATE

1 – Bourgeoisie: wealthy merchants and skilled workers (4%)

2 –Workers: poorly-paid servants, cooks and personal attendants (8%)

3 – Peasants (85%)

EVERYONE ELSE! 97% of the population. Paid all

the taxes.

Nobility. 2% of the population. Paid no taxes

Roman Catholic clergy. 1% of the population.

Paid no taxes.

French Revolution

So what happened?• To solve the debt problem, King Louis XVI

wanted to tax the previously untaxed 2nd Estate.

• The struggle to pass taxes was unsuccessful. So King Louis XVI decided to call a meeting of the Estates General in May 1789 to resolve the issue. (It was the first meeting of the Estates General in 175 years!)

Step 1

King Louis XVI assembles the Estates General for advice.

Read your role for this step. Follow the directions.

Step 2

The three Estates prepare to meet.

Read your role for this step. Follow the directions. You will need a piece of paper

and a writing utensil.

Step 3

Each Estate proposes a plan to save France.

Read your role for this step. Follow the directions.

Step 4

King Louis XVI proposes a plan to save France.

Read your role for this step. Follow the directions.

Step 5

The Estates General votes on the King’s plan.

Read your role for this step. Follow the directions.

Step 6

Severe famine occurs.

Read your role for this step. Follow the directions.

Step 7

The Third Estate responds to the situation.

Read your role for this step. Follow the directions.