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1789: THE FRENCH ------- REVOLUTION Background Causes. 1st Background Cause: POLIT ICAL SYSTEM Absolu te Monarchy: Reign of King Louis XVI. Reign of Louis XVI:. ABSOLUTE MONARCHY NOBLES HOLD SPECIAL POSITIONS ORDINARY PEOPLE HAVE NO POWER. KING LOUIS XVI. WEAK FOOLISH
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1st Background Cause: POLITICAL SYSTEM Absolute Monarchy: Reign of King Louis XVI
Reign of Louis XVI: • ABSOLUTE MONARCHY • NOBLES HOLD SPECIAL POSITIONS • ORDINARY PEOPLE HAVE NO POWER
KING LOUIS XVI • WEAK • FOOLISH • INDECI-SIVE
MARIE ANTOINETTE • FOREIGN • FOOLISH • EXTRAVA-GANT
2nd Background Cause: SOCIAL SYSTEM-- the Estates of France
Social Divisions First Estate Second Estate Third Estate
THE FIRST ESTATE CLERGY: • Owned 20% of the land • Paid no tax • Tithes
SECOND ESTATE NOBLES: • 25% of land • Paid no taxes • Feudal dues • Positions
THE THIRD ESTATE THE REST • 97% • Middle Class • City Workers • Peasants
GRIEVANCES OF THE THIRD ESTATE • Paid most of the taxes • Peasants paid Feudal dues • High price of food (bread) • Few positions of influence • No power in the government
3rd Background Cause: THEENLIGHTENMENT
The Enlightenment A) Enlightenment thinkers were against absolute monarchy. B)They believed in progress and political change to improve society. C) They also emphasized equality.
The Enlightenment Encouraged... • Questioning the System • Expectations for Change • Demands for changes to the government • Revolutionary action
4th Background Cause: THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
American Revolution • Inspiration • Leaders - Lafayette • Debt
5th Background Cause: THE FINANCIAL CRISIS
ROYAL SPENDING • Louis XIV • Versailles • Wars • Favors to the Nobles
National Budget of France Interest on the Debt Everything Else Military COURT
Solutions Refused Jacques Necker • Reduce Spending • Tax Nobles
FATEFUL DECISION: • King decides to call theEstates General • Purpose: to raise thetaxes needed to pay off the debt • The Revolution will begin