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The French Revolution

This lesson explores the French Revolution, focusing on the Three Estates, Estates General, Bastille, and Declaration of the Rights of Man. Students will learn about the social structure, causes of revolution, and revolutionary acts that shaped France's history. Key questions invite critical thinking and reflection.

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The French Revolution

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  1. The French Revolution In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms: The Three Estates The Estates General The National Assembly The Bastille Declaration of the Rights of Man E. Napp

  2. Before 1789, French society was divided into three classes or estates. E. Napp

  3. The Three Estates • The first estate was made up of the clergy or priests. • The second estate was made up of the nobles. • The third and largest estate was made up of the commoners. E. Napp

  4. The most powerful group in the Third Estate were the bourgeoisie, or middle class, composed of merchants and professionals. E. Napp

  5. Inequalities • In Old Regime France, there were many inequalities between the estates. • The clergy and nobles were exempt from most taxes and only nobles could fill certain posts in the army or King’s court. • The bourgeoisie resented these special privileges. E. Napp

  6. There were many causes of the French Revolution. E. Napp

  7. The Estates General • During the 1700s, French kings almost bankrupted the state through wars and borrowing. • In 1789, the king’s ministers believed that it was necessary to tax nobles. • The nobles refused unless the king summoned an Estates General or assembly with representatives from the Three Estates. E. Napp

  8. During the Estates General, the bourgeoisie declared themselves a National Assembly. E. Napp

  9. The Bastille • The king threatened to break up the Assembly because the bourgeoisie claimed to represent “the people”. • The Parisians seized a royal prison known as the Bastille. • To prevent a civil war, King Louis XVI let the National Assembly continue. E. Napp

  10. The monarchy was in danger. Revolutionary ideas were in the air. E. Napp

  11. Declaration of the Rights of Man • In August, 1789, the National Assembly issued a Declaration of the Rights of Man. • The Declaration of the Rights of Man proclaimed that the government rested on the consent of the people, not on the divine right of the king. • The Assembly then abolished the privileges of the nobles and clergy. E. Napp

  12. The slogan of the revolution became “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.” E. Napp

  13. The National Assembly adopted a written constitution, created a national legislature, and turned France into a constitutional monarchy. E. Napp

  14. Questions for Reflection: • Describe the Three Estates of Old Regime France. • Who was the most influential group of the Third estate and what did this group want? • Why was an Estates General summoned? • Why did the Third Estate declare themselves a National Assembly? • What was the storming of the Bastille? The Declaration of the Rights of Man? E. Napp

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