What were some of political beliefs of the

Enlightenment? How did they change the way people thought?

Bell Ringer

Recap – Enlightenment, what were some of

the ideas. Who did not agree? The three estates of France: Fair? What led to a decline of power in France? Reading: National Assembly, Tennis Court

oath, and the Great Fear Activity: Write a letter to the king as one of the

estates.

Agenda/Objectives

Enlightenment Ideas

The Three Estates of France

First Estate: - Made up of clergy of Roman Catholic Church,

scorned Enlightened ideas. Second Estate: - Made up of rich nobles, held highest offices

in government, and disagreed with Enlightened ideas.

The Three Estates

First and Second Estate

Included bourgeoisie, urban lower class, and

peasant farmers. Had no power to influence government. Embraced Enlightened ideas.

Third Estate

Third Estate of France

First estate- owned 10% of the land, provided

education and relief services to the poor. - Contributed 2% of its income to the

government. Second estate- 2% of the population, owned

20% and paid no taxes. Seems fair right….

The three estates

Third estate – 98% of the population and

differed economically from merchants and well educated to peasants.

- All heavily taxed.

The three estates

What typically leads to a decline of a nation? Economic hardship and weak leadership.

What led to the decline of France?

Expanding population with extremely high

taxes made business impossible to flourish. Cost of living rose and crops began to fail. - 1789 price of bread doubled. King Louis XVI lived an extravagant life and

spent money wastefully. - Borrowed money to help Americans fight the

British.

Economic hardship

Louis XVI became king in 1774. Preferred to hunt and play rather than govern. Age 15 married Marie Antoinette who was

only 14. Marie was from Austria (long time enemy of

France) Marriage was extremely unpopular. Marie spent money lavishly on gowns, jewelry,

and gifts #Madamedefecit

Weak Leadership

Rather than cutting expenses and raising

taxes Louis put the issue off. Facing bankruptcy attempted to tax nobles. Estates-General – representatives from all 3

estates. - first meeting in 175 years- May 5, 1789 at

Versailles.

Weak leadership

Everyone will read silently “The National

Assembly” Be prepared to answer questions.

Reading

Based on your notes and reading I want you to

write a letter to King Louis XVI. You will choose to be one of the Estates (you

choose). You will write about an issue you have with

him or what you want changed or NOT changed- based on the estate you have chosen.

Minimum of 2 paragraphs.

Activity

1 paragraph of what your paper will be on and

why it interest you. i.e. Hitler’s rise to power - Fall of Constantinople - Assassination of Abraham Lincoln - Rise of Communism in Russia - Longstreet vs. Lee: Gettysburg - The Death of Emmitt Till - United States influence in the Middle East

Topic of Research Paper