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The Estates General

The Estates General. Background. By 1787, France’s economy is in ruins for several reasons Lavish spending by Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette Poor taxing policies Seven Years War (1756-1763) and the American Revolution (1775-1783).

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The Estates General

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  1. The Estates General

  2. Background • By 1787, France’s economy is in ruins for several reasons • Lavish spending by Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette • Poor taxing policies • Seven Years War (1756-1763) and the American Revolution (1775-1783)

  3. King Louis XVI promises to call together the Estates General, which had not met since 1614 • Hopefully this will solve France’s problems • The Estates General is scheduled to meet on May 5th, 1789 at Versailles

  4. Louis XVI, king of France

  5. What Was the Estates General? • This was a legislative assembly for the different French classes (Congress) • The Estates General was made up of three classes • Clergy-1st Estate • Nobility-2nd Estate • Bourgeoisie (peasants)-3rd Estate

  6. Clergy • By 1789, the 1st Estate (Clergy) was made up of 100,000 people • Owned 5-10% of the land • All property was tax-exempt

  7. Clergy

  8. Nobility • The 2nd Estate (Nobility) was made up of 400,000 people • Enjoyed the better government jobs • Was also tax-exempt

  9. Nobility

  10. Bourgeoisie • The 3rd Estate (Bourgeoisie, peasants) was made up of 25 million people • The 3rd Estate paid all of the taxes • This means the burden fell on France’s poorest • Each Estate had one vote • The 1st and 2nd Estates usually voted together

  11. The 3rd Estate had to sit by themselves at the Estates General • They had to wear black robes • Had to enter the Estates General through a side door • The 3rd Estate (98% of France) is getting fed up…

  12. 2008-2009 Academics Mid-Term 1-25 Geography (there will be a map)26-40 Countries and capitals (no map)41-55 Middle Ages (matching)56-62 Roman Numerals63-71 Middle Ages72-96 Renaissance97-121 Absolute Monarchs122-144 Reformation145-180 French Revolution There will also be an essay

  13. 2008-2009 Honors Mid-Term 1-25 Geography (there will be a map)26-40 Countries and capitals (no map)41-55 Middle Ages (matching)56-62 Roman Numerals63-71 Middle Ages72-96 Renaissance97-121 Absolute Monarchs122-144 Reformation145-180 French Revolution181-200 Scientific Revolution/EnlightenmentThere will also be an essay

  14. Perform a Skit (10 points) • In groups of three, perform a skit about today’s material so everyone is involved • Some ideas include the following: • A meeting between Louis XVI and his advisors to discuss the economy crisis • The clergy and nobility ganging up on 3rd Estate (NO violence!) • Re-enact voting in the Estates General • Pretend you are a 3rd Estate family. What might you complain about? • 3rd Estate complaining about treatment at the Estates General

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