The French Revolution

What were the major causes of the French Revolution?

Background…

A. Background to the Revolution1. The beginning of a new United Sates f

America - The us had just won their independence – France witnessed that and wanted to do the same.

2. The French Revolution was much more complicated than that – more radical and violent.

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3. It tried to create a new political order and a new social order as well. Before the revolution, French society was based on inequality – their population was divided into 3 estates.

B. The Three Estates 1. 1st Estate was the clergy and owned about

10% of the land. - Didn’t have to pay taxes . 2. 2nd estate was the nobility – included about

350,000 people – owned 25-30% of the land – many leadership positions in government, military and the court system.

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3. The Third Estate were known as the Commoners – made up most of the French population. - Peasants made up about 80%of this percentage.

However, landholdings varied from area and over half of the peasants had little or no land to live on.

Another part of the Third Estate were crafts people, shopkeepers and other wage earners – it was a struggle to survive.

• \4. The Bourgeoisie or middle class was another part of the Third Estate – made up about 2.3 million people – merchants, bankers, industrialists – even doctors and lawyers.

Members of the biggest class were unhappy with all the privileges held by nobles and clergy.

Besides the Class System – people were also unhappy about the…

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B. Financial Crisis!!1. The French economy suffered a lot – bad

harvests and slowdowns in manufacturing led to food shortages, rising prices and unemployment.

2. In spite of the economic problems – the French government continued to spend huge sums on costly wars and court luxuries – forced the King – Louis XVI to have a meeting with the estates General to raise new taxes (IS THAT GOING TO MAKE THE FRENCH PEOPLE HAPPY?)

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NO!!

C. From Estates General to National Assembly..1. The Estates- General was composed of reps

from all 3 orders of society – the clergy, the nobles and the merchant peasant class.

2. To fix France’s financial problems – this 3rd estate wanted to set up a constitutional government that would get rid of the tax exemptions of the clergy and nobility!

Are the Clergy or Noble Class going to like that??

3. Traditionally each estate had 1 vote – so both of those estates could outvote the 3rd estate 2-1.

4. The King sided with the clergy and nobility – this angered the 3rd estate and they quickly called a National Assembly and drafted their OWN Constitution.

5. The leaders of this 3rd Estate arrived at their meeting place to find their doors…locked!

They then moved to a nearby indoor tennis court and swore they would continue to meet there until they produced a French Constitution! – The oath they swore is known as the Tennis Court Oath!

What do you think the King does??

6. King Louis prepares to use force against the 3rd Estate - - the common people, however, saved the 3rd Estate from his forces – On July 14th, 1789, a mob of Parisians stormed the Bastille – a prison and dismantled it brick by brick!

7. Louis’s royal authority had collapsed – at the same time “little” revolutions were popping up all over the countryside – these “peasant rebellions” took place throughout France – This will lead to the Destruction of the Old Regime