the french revolution objective: describe the french revolution
TRANSCRIPT
The French Revolution
Objective: Describe the French Revolution.
France
What were the social classes before the revolution? First Estate (clergy) - .5% of people Owned 10% of land, paid 2% tax
What were the main social classes before the revolution? Second Estate (rich nobles) – 1.5 % of
people Owned 20% of land, paid almost no tax
What were the main social classes before the revolution? Third Estate (everyone else) – 98 % of
people. Three levels: (A) Bourgeoisie; (B) Middle level
workers/laborers; (C) Peasants
France’s Estates (Social Classes)
Quick Write (2min)
What problems might arise out of France’s Three Estates system?
Quick Write Answers
Bourgeoi$ie thought they should have more rights and $tatus
Enlightenment thinkers had reached the third estate (books, etc.)
The American Revolution was a successful ‘role model’ of the people fighting opression
What was France like before the Revolution? France’s economy was failing
Too many taxes Too many people & food shortages (due to
bad weather) Irresponsible government spending
France financed the American Revolution (France, Great Brittan = Rivals)
Spending on themselves
Louis XVI wanted to pass tax laws
What was the Estates-General?
King Louis XVI called the Estates-General to solve the economic crisis.
All three estates met in Versailles, France
What happened at the Estates-General? Each estate received on vote, even though
the Third Estate had the most people Estate 1 & 2 knew they could out vote 3
What happened at the Estates-General? King Louis XVI kept the same system after
the objections of the Third Estate
Reactions
If you were living in France at this time, what would your reaction be if you were a member of the first two estates?
What would your reaction be if you were a member of the third estate?
How did French citizens react to the King’s actions at the Estate-General? The Third Estate met to write a new
Constitution and declared itself the new National Assembly – Tennis Court Oath
How did French citizens react to the King’s actions at the Estate-General? The Third Estate met to write a new
Constitution and declared itself the new National Assembly – Tennis Court Oath
In Paris, workers stormed the Bastille (royal armory and prison)
Storming of the Bastille
How did French citizens react to the King’s actions at the Estate-General? The Third Estate met to write a new
Constitution and declared itself the new National Assembly – Tennis Court Oath
In Paris, workers stormed the Bastille (royal armory and prison)
Riots took place in villages all over France
What did the new National Assembly do?
August 26, 1789 – Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen “all men are born with their right to life and liberty” “equality under the law”
What did the new National Assembly do? A new French Constitution was written that
allowed the King to keep power (at first)
How did the Paris Commune turn the revolution violent? Paris Commune = angry citizens protesting
food shortages and France’s loss of war to Austria and Prussia
How did the Paris Commune turn the revolution violent? Members of the Commune gain power in
the National Assembly 1792 – Assembly removes King from power
and sentences him and his wife, Marie Antoinette, to death
Guillotine
King Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette
How did the Paris Commune turn the revolution violent? Reign of Terror = Maximilien Robespierre
and 11 other members of the Assembly kill 40,000 people
How did the Paris Commune turn the revolution violent?
After 2 years of terror, the Assembly removes Robespierre of power and is executed
How did France react after the Reign of Terror? There were 3 groups of people
How did France react after the Reign of Terror? There were 3 groups of people
some wanted the monarchy back
How did France react after the Reign of Terror? There were 3 groups of people
some wanted the monarchy back some were supporters of Robespierre and
wanted to continue the executions
How did France react after the Reign of Terror? There were 3 groups of people
some wanted the monarchy back some were supporters of Robespierre and
wanted to continue the executions some were supporters of the French military
How did France react after the Reign of Terror? General Napoleon
Bonaparte takes all control of the government in 1799
Summary