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The French RevolutionSection 1

1. The Old Order

Old Regime

The political and social system that was in

France prior to the French Revolution

Estates

Large social classes in France, 3 total

1. The Old Order

First Estate

Catholic Church

No taxes

Owned 10% of land

2% of income goes to Gov.

0.5% of population

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1. The Old Order

Second Estate

2% of population

Rich nobles

Owned 20% of land

Paid very little tax

1. The Old Order

Third Estate

97% of population

3 Groups

Bourgeoisie (Middle Class) *1

High Taxes

Educated

Liked Enlightenment idea

Social status/political power

1. The Old Order

City workers *2

Poor/unemployed

Peasants *3

80% of population

Taxes/tithes/dues

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2. The Forces of Change

Third Estate were inspired

by the American

Revolution

Rousseau & Voltaire also inspired the Third Estate

2. The Forces of Change

Economic Troubles

High Taxes

Cost of Living was going up

Crop Failures/shortage of grain

2. The Forces of Change

King Louis XVI

King of France, spent

extravagantly, he also had huge debts from previous Kings and from the

American Revolution

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2. The Forces of Change

Marie Antoinette

(Queen)

Member of the Austrian royal family who married

Louis. Spent money gambling, buying gowns,

gifts and jewels

2. Forces of Change Louis decided to tax

the second estate

Nobility call Estates-General to avoid the new tax

Estates-General

Assembly of Representatives from 3 estates, 3 vote system

3. Dawn of the Revolution

Second estate wanted all three states to approve the new tax

Third estate wanted all three estates to meet together and then have the delegates to vote

Clergyman Emmanuel Joseph-Sieyés sympathetic to the Third estate suggested they call themselves National Assembly

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3. Dawn of the Revolution

National Assembly

Renamed Third

estate and passed laws and reforms for the French

people

Tennis Court Oath

Locked out of assembly hall met on tennis court

and wrote new constitution

3. Dawn of the Revolution

Rumors caused

People to

stockpile guns and

ammo

Mob stormed the

Bastille Prison, they

seized guns &

released prisoners

3. Dawn of the Revolution

Great Fear

Fear of rebellion

spread from Paris to

the countryside,

peasants rioted

Women attack

Versailles and

forced Louis and

Marie to move to

Paris