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The Beginning of the French Revolution. PHASE ONE: From Estates-General to National Assembly. Causes of Revolution. Enlightenment ideas American Revolution Old Regime Privileges of 1st & 2nd estate Burdens of the 3 rd estate Financial crisis – impending bankruptcy….
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The Beginning of the French Revolution PHASE ONE: From Estates-General to National Assembly
Causes of Revolution • Enlightenment ideas • American Revolution • Old Regime • Privileges of 1st & 2nd estate • Burdens of the 3rd estate • Financial crisis – impending bankruptcy…
Any thoughts on how France found itself on the brink of bankruptcy?
French Financial Crisis • Extravagance (Versailles) • Debt from wars • Aid for American Revolution • Banks refuse to lend money • Crop Failure
French Financial Crisis • France Needed Money!!!! • Louis XVI called a meeting of The Estates General in 1789 - hoping to agree on new taxes to be applied to the First & Second Estates
National Assembly & Tennis Court Oath • The Estates-General had not met since 1614 • Made up of delegates representing each Estate • They met separately, but the 3rdEstate wanted all 3 Estates to meet together • King refused – locked out 3rd Estate!
National Assembly & Tennis Court Oath • Tennis Court Oath: • Instead of leaving, the Third Estate formed the National Assembly • They met on the palace tennis courts & promised not to disband until they had written a constitution for France
National Assembly & Tennis Court Oath • First deliberate act of the revolution!! • Why was the creation of the National Assembly an act of revolution?
Call to Revolt • King ordered other estates to join the National Assembly, BUT called in troops in Paris • Debates and sometimes violence took place in the streets
Call to Revolt • Rebellion grew • King gathered more troops • Paris citizens became fearful that the King would dissolve the National Assembly & halt reforms so they took action…
Storming the Bastille • The Bastille is a prison in Paris • Symbol of the injustices of the monarchy • Huge mob surrounded Bastille & attempted to steal weapons (to defend the National Assembly) • Forced way into prison; freed prisoners • Mob took over prison (July 14, 1789)
The Great Fear • After Bastille, waves of violence spread through France • Rumors spread about nobles hiring robbers to kill & steal from peasants
The Great Fear • Peasants react; get weapons • Drive nobles off their land • The First Wave of the French Revolution had struck!