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French Revolution

French Revolution. French Revolution. Causes of the French Revolution French society was divided into 3 different classes or “Estates”. French Revolution. 1 st Estate Priests Church officials Exempt from paying taxes. French Revolution. 2 nd Estate Nobility

josephine-fischer
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French Revolution

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  1. French Revolution

  2. French Revolution • Causes of the French Revolution • French society was divided into 3 different classes or “Estates”

  3. French Revolution • 1st Estate • Priests • Church officials • Exempt from paying taxes

  4. French Revolution • 2nd Estate • Nobility • Exempt from paying most taxes • Had the right to collect Feudal Dues from 3rd Estate • Served as officers in the Army • Held high positions at court

  5. French Revolution • 3rd Estate • Common People (largest population) • Bourgeoisie: Middle class merchants, professionals and shopkeepers • Urban worker • Paid the most % of taxes • Had lowest quality of life

  6. French Revolution • Impact of Enlightenment Ideas • Ideas made Frenchmen unwilling to accept • the Divine Right of Kings • Privileged positions of the Church and Nobility

  7. French Revolution • Impact of Enlightenment Ideas • Financial Crisis • Tax system was based off of tradition • Different social classes and different regions paid different taxes • France was a wealthy country but the Government didn’t have a fair tax system

  8. French Revolution • Impact of Enlightenment Ideas • Financial Crisis • The Government borrowed a lot of money to help finance their wars with Britain (rival) • To help pay, the government wanted the Nobility to start paying taxes

  9. French Revolution • Impact of Enlightenment Ideas • Financial Crisis • Nobility would only agree to paying taxes if an Estates General was created • Estates General: a national assembly in which each of the three social classes was represented in the government

  10. French Revolution • Main Events • King Louis XVI gave into the 2nd Estate demands and allowed a vote to take place to select the General Estate • Delegates from each Estate (1st, 2nd & 3rd) were elected to represent their Estate

  11. French Revolution • Main Events • The 3rd Estate was able to elect the most representatives because they were the largest population • Estates General met in May of 1789 • Delegates from the 3rd Estate declared themselves to be the Nation Assembly

  12. French Revolution • Main Events • King Louis XVI sought to break up the National Assembly • When word spread of King Louis XVI’s plans, the National Assembly attacked and seized a royal prison, the Bastille in search of weapons to defend themselves • The King gave in and recognized the National Assembly

  13. French Revolution • Main Events • The National Assembly (August 1789) • Abolished privileges of the Nobles • Confiscated Church lands to pay off the states debt • Issued a Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen • Had a constitution written and created a Constitutional Monarchy in France

  14. French Revolution • Main Events • Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen • Proclaimed that the government rested on the consent of the people(Popular Sovereignty) • The Divine Right of Kings was no longer accepted • Announced that all Frenchmen were “Free and Equal”

  15. French Revolution • Revolution Takes a Radical Turn • In 1790, Louis XVI took an oath to the Constitution • In 1791 Louis and his family tried to escape France • Soon after the Monarchy was over thrown and France became a Republic

  16. French Revolution • Revolution Takes a Radical Turn • The new French Republic was seen as a threat by the other European Monarchs so France was facing constant warfare • Other parts of France were in still in rebellion • The people felt that France might lose its power • The Committee of Public Safety was created to restore power and control lead by Robespierre • The committee began a “Reign of Terror” over the people of France

  17. French Revolution • The Committee of Public Safety • The committee began a “Reign of Terror” over the people of France • They used force and repression to crush the rebellion • Laws were passed to allow the government the ability to arrest anyone • An estimated 40,000 Nobles, Catholic Priest and other suspected traitors were killed

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