Recap: Causes of French Rev.

Recap: Causes of French Rev. • 1) Louis 16th & Marie Antoinette • 2) The Estate system • 3) The American Revolution • 4) Bankruptcy • 5) Famine, Harvest Crisis • 6) Enlightenment

Estate System • The People of France were divided into 3 Estates • The First Estate was the clergy • Approximately 100,000 people • The Second Estate was the Nobility • Approximately 400,000 people • The Nobles had almost complete authority over the peasants Both estates: • Collected tolls for usage of the roads, markets, mills, ovens and winepresses • Were not required to do Military Service • Did not have to pay taxes and most of them lived in great luxury in chateaux and palaces Note: Several attempts were made to tax the nobility, but Louis was to weak to implement it

Third Estate • Approx. 97% of the Population (27 million) • Forced to do military service • Forced to pay taxes and tolls to the King, Nobility and Clergy – economically crushing • Denied important positions in the government and Army (can’t move through the ranks) • Not all the third estate were peasants – many in France were educated – doctors, lawyers, merchants, middle class workers - shared the same fate as the country folk

Bankruptcy • Bankruptcy: • France had been involved in many costly wars during the reigns of Louis the 14th, 15th and 16th • They had recently fought in the American Revolution and the seven years war • They sent soldiers, naval vessels and money to support he both wars • At the same time; the King and the nobility were spending enormous amounts on luxury

American Revolution • American Revolution: • The success of the American revolution proved that democracy could work and that common people could rise to power • It acted as a model • French troops fought beside Americans in the Revolution (witnessed the American victory)

Harvest Crisis • This was the spark that set off the firestorm (tipping point) • Very few fruits and vegetables were being produced by France’s farms • The price of produce, especially wheat and bread were very high • Despite the crisis, taxes continued to rise to combat the national debt

Opening Stages of the French Revolution The French Revolution

The Estates General is called • In 1788, Louis 16th called the Estates General • A gathering of Representatives of all three estates • Had not been done since 1615 because this symbolized the failure of the current government • The meeting took place in May 1789 in the palace if Versailles • During the year long preparation, the representatives of each estate were chosen • As part of tradition, the representatives were asked to draft complaints or grievences (cahiers de doleances) ------------------------ • Why was this important? • This was the first time most people got a chance to express themselves • A lot of anger and frustration was openly discussed for the first time

People like this dude; Abbe Emmanuel Joseph Sieyes • He wrote; What is the Third Estate?- Political pamphlet • Abbe Emmanuel Joseph Sieyes in January 1789, in response to the calling of the Estates General • What does it say? What is the Third Estate? Everything. What has it been until now in the political order? Nothing.What does it ask? To become something. • He believed that the 3rd estate iswas a complete nation and that the other 2 estates are simply “Dead Weight” • Also suggested that the Estates General should be restructured. (Wants to emphasize the numerical superiority of the 3rd estates)

The Estates General Meets • When the meeting was called, all three estates were frustrated as Louis had no agenda or proposals for discussion (incompetent) • That being said, he brought a large contingent of troops to the meeting – seen by some as an attempt to intimidate (not a good choice) • There were 600 representatives of the 3rd estates, 300 representatives of the 2nd estate and 300 representatives of the 1st estate but they voted by estate, not by numbers (not fair)

What did they talk about? • Injustice (Taxes, labour, conscription) • Whether they should Vote by Estate or vote all together • The 3rd Estate wanted each representative to get a vote but the others insisted on the current system where each estate gets a vote • Knowing that all there proposals would be defeated, the 3rdestates decides to act

WHAT DO THEY DO? • The openly declare themselves a NATIONAL ASSEMBLY • They claimed that since they represent 97% of the population, they are a true parliament • They wanted to create a constitutional monarchy (boundaries of a constitution, whether written or unwritten similar to England) Non-political monarch • When they take a break, King louis locks the doors!

The Tennis Court Oath • The representatives of the 3rd estate wander into an indoor tennis court • They promise to continue to meet until France has a constitution Who is?

Then, The Storming of the Bastille • The Third estate was fuelled by starvation and the dismissal of France’s Minister of Economics (who was asking for a revision of France’s tax system), a mob formed • Louis Reacts: • He sends troops into Paris to calm the people • This was perceived as tyranny (Ancien Regime) • Violence breaks out: • Members of the Paris Guards joined the people • The stormed a military outpost and stole thousands of muskets, however, they had no powder or shot • They turned to the Bastille, a political prison and symbol of Royal authority • They fight though the Prison defences (including cannon fire), break in, free the prisoners, murder the guards and place their heads on Pikes . They also murder mayor of France

The King reacts • Louis hears of what is happening in Paris • He believes that he is losing control of the people and the Army • He also believes that this was partially caused by the removal of the 3rd estate from the Estates General • In desperation, the King decides to recognized the representatives of the 3rd Estate as a national assembly, and grants them political power • Orders the first two estates to join the third • The first stage of the French Revolution is over! The National Assembly is partially in charge

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

Why are they relevant?

RECAP • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvSod16wfgg • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mjmzw2z5cxI

Exit Cards • Name one thing you learned • Exit cards: Write down what you think I should do differently

Recap: Causes of French Rev.