• Revolution breaks out in France in 1789 –Many injustices

existed in France before the Revolution

Causes of the

French Revolutio

n

Causes of the

French Revolutio

n

Absolute

Monarchy

Absolute

Monarchy

Enlightenment Ideas

Enlightenment Ideas

Economic Problems Economic Problems

Social Inequaliti

es

Social Inequaliti

es

Inspiration from

the American Revolutio

n

Inspiration from

the American Revolutio

n

• King Louis XVI – Married to Marie-Antoinette

• Austrian• Austria had been an enemy

of France • Weak leadership failed to

address problems in France

• Most people denied basic rights and did not have a say in gov’t policy

• 3 social classes – The First Estate

• Roman Catholic Church clergy

– The Second Estate • Wealthy nobles• Held highest gov’t

offices

– The Third Estate• Bourgeoisie (middle

class), poor city workers, artisans, peasants

• No power to influence government

•

• The First and Second Estates – did not have to

pay taxes– controlled most of

the wealth

• Third Estate resented heavy tax burden and lack of rights

• Many Bourgeoisie began to question French social structure and absolute monarchy– Enlightenment ideas– Success of the American Revolution• Inspired by enlightenment ideas

– Natural rights, democracy, equality

– British attempts to limit the power of the monarch

• France was in debt because it had to borrow money to support government – Costly wars going back

to Louis XIV– Lavish Lifestyle of the

monarchs and Versailles– Financial and military

support of the American Revolution

• Increased taxes on the Third Estate– King tried to tax Second

Estate but they refused

•

• Drought and hailstorm led to bad harvest and food shortages in 1789– Peasants and poor

city workers did not have enough food • Led to food riots • Increased public

anger towards the government

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

% of Income Spent on Bread byUrban Poor

1787

1788

•

•

• List the three classes that made up the French social structure before the French Revolution.

• 5/15 Focus: 5/15 Focus: – As conditions grew worse in France, As conditions grew worse in France,

demands for reforms increased and demands for reforms increased and King Louis XVI was forced to take King Louis XVI was forced to take action.action.

• Important Terms: Important Terms: – Estates General, Declaration of the Estates General, Declaration of the

Rights of Man and CitizenRights of Man and Citizen

• Do Now: Do Now: – Identify one specific problem that Identify one specific problem that

contributed to the outbreak of the contributed to the outbreak of the French Revolution.French Revolution.

•

The Estates GeneralThe Estates General

• King called for a meeting of the Estates General in 1789 to address problems–A body with

representatives from each of the three estates

•

The Estates GeneralThe Estates General

• Third Estate declared themselves the National Assembly–Claimed the right

to make laws–Wanted to draw

up a constitution for France

The Tennis Court OathThe Tennis Court Oath

• 3rd Estate believed they had been locked out of the meeting hall of the Estates General – Gathered at an indoor

tennis court• 3rd Estate refused to

disband until a constitution was created – Some nobles and clergy

joined • King Louis XVI forced to

accept the National Assembly

Storming of the BastilleStorming of the Bastille• Louis XVI began moving

troops to Paris– National Assembly and

Parisians feared troops would break up the Assembly

• July 14, 1789 citizens storm the Bastille in search of weapons – prison used to jail critics of

the monarchy– People took over the Bastille

• killed its commander and paraded his head on long stick through Paris

• Rumors spread that the king and nobles would punish 3rd Estate – Peasants attacked

nobles and burned homes in the countryside• Destroyed records of

feudal dues and rents

• 6,000 women protesting food shortages marched on Versailles– Forced King to

leave Versailles and return to Paris

• Document laying out the basic principles of the Revolution– Liberty, Equality,

Fraternity

• Inspired by Declaration of Independence and Enlightenment ideas– Protection of natural

rights

• Guaranteed citizens basic rights– Freedom of

Religion, Press, Speech

– Equality before the law

• Seized Church lands – made clergy public employees

– Sold lands to pay French debt

• Wrote a constitution that limited the monarch’s power

• King Louis XVI and Maria-Antoinette attempted to flee France but were caught

• Many European rulers and nobles feared the revolution would spread to their countries– Threatened military

intervention to protect French monarchy • Austria and

Prussia warned against harming the king

•

• French Legislature declares war on Austria, Prussia, and Great Britain

• fear that enemies of the revolution would try to restore the monarchy

• King placed on trial and executed for treason – Jan 21,1793 –Maria-Antoinette

executed on Oct. 16, 1793

• List the three classes that made up the French social structure before the French Revolution.