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French Revolution. W.4 Draw evidence from the informational texts to explain how the ideology of the French revolution led France to evolve from a constitutional monarchy to democratic despotism to the Napoleonic empire. French Society – 3 social classes or “estates”.
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French Revolution W.4 Draw evidence from the informational texts to explain how the ideology of the French revolution led France to evolve from a constitutional monarchy to democratic despotism to the Napoleonic empire.
French Society – 3 social classes or “estates” • Clergy : the Church; very wealthy; owned 10% of land • Nobles : a dying class during this time; were originally knights, but also included people in other positions such as clergy or gov’t • Rest of population : top of class were “bourgeoisie” or middle class which included bankers, merchants, lawyers, doctors; most of this class were rural peasants and urban workers
Financial Troubles in France • For too many years, France spent more money than it took in – known as “deficit spending” • Former Kings spent money on extravagant personal items • King Louis XVI called for economic reform; called a meeting with his legislative branch known as Estates-General • Estates General had not been called in 175 years • Former Kings feared they would take too much control
Estate-General • They prepared “cahiers” or a list of grievances; 3 estates = 3 votes, each estate represented one vote • Clergy Estate and Noble Estate always voted against the Third Estate; Third Estate made up most of population • Third Estate decides they should take action and declare themselves the Nation Assembly to represent the people • National Assembly were locked out of own meeting hall and went nearby to tennis court • Took the famous “Tennis Court Oath” – swore to never separate and to meet wherever the circumstances might require until we have a sound and just constitution
Bastille - old fortress in Paris • Rumors that royal troops were going to occupy Paris • More than 800 Parisians assembled outside Bastille demanding access to gunpowder and firearms • Commander of Bastille refused to open gates and fired upon crowd • Crowd stormed Bastille, killed the commander and 5 guards • Bastille became a symbol to people of France representing years of abuse from the monarchy • “Bastille Day” became France’s national independence day