The French Revolution

1. Vive la Révolution The French Revolution by: The ABC Group

2. Avant la Révolution • King Louis XVI was the Monarch and he had absolute power over France • Only five percent of the population were given luxuries. • Everyone else had nothing. • Poor - had no rights and did not own anything. • Homes and land could be lost in favor of someone that had sworn allegiance to your landlord. • All the rich folks lived in isolated from the rest of the public.

3. Feudalism • A system that rewarded those of a high ranking with pockets of land and other privileges. People of a low ranking had to swear to serfdom, which was servitude to a lord that owned a piece of land that the so-called serfs wanted to life on. If you didn't have enough money to rent the land, and you weren't willing to swear to serfdom, you lived on the streets.

4. Aristocracy An accurate rendering of Aristocrats. You can see all the old, rich, white guys and their wigs and cocktails below. Aristocracy: In which men, generally from rich families or of a high order birth were 'elected' to meet and make decisions for the commonwealth of France.

5. Class Separation Three Estates made up the classes of France First Estate: Clergy members and leaders in the religious communities Second Estate: Nobility Third Estate: 95% of France's population The Third Estate payed the most taxes, had no luxuries and were impoverished. The First and Second Estates lived in castles. More popularly referred to as châteaux.

6. Famine, Drought, Disease Population increase Uneployment rates rose Imbalanced food supply Drought in 1788-89 Freezing winter http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_famines

7. Estates General After the chaos from the drought, Louis XVI decided to call an Estates General - A representative body that had not met since 1614 The meeting was held May 5, 1789 • Each estate brought a list of grievances • They discussed solutions and didn’t come to a conclustion http://teachnet.eu/tobrien/about/revolutions/the-french-revolution/background-to-french-revolution/estates-general/ http://teachnet.eu/tobrien/about/revolutions/the-french-revolution/estates-general/

8. Taxing Nobles Nobility was used to a luxurious life. The Third Estate paid the majority of the taxes. Many reform plans came into play including taxing the nobles but they were turned down. http://www.traveldirectors.com/filing-taxes-as-a-sole-proprietor-things-to-know http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gda%C5%84sk_burgher_ladies_and_a_group_of_nobles.jpg

9. Tennis Court Oath • There was meant to be another meeting on June 20th • All of the many representatives from the Third Estate found themselves locked out of the meeting at Versailles • They stormed to a tennis court and wrote the Tennis Court Oath • They would not give up until they had change. Until they had revolution. http://www.historywiz.com/tenniscourt.htm

10. La Declaration • Defined the rights of men • E'rybody had equal rights, because e'rybody born the same, you feel me? • Citizens (ALL CITIZENS) should be protected by the military, not attacked by it

11. La Pauvreté Due to France's absolutely terrible economic situation, there were many people (commoners of course) were very [VERY VERY] poor and everyone lived in horrible, cramped homes, or were out on the street, lots of people died.

12. Révolution Américaine The American Revolution played a major part in the economic downfall of France. It was largely funded by King Louis XVI despite the fact that he had no budget to do so and therefore contributed to France falling even deeper in debt. The funding of this war was, however, not supported by everyone. It was not just the money spent that led France into the revolution, but it was the war itself. The American Revolution showed the Third Estate that rebelling against power to undo unjust laws could work. http://www.questiaschool.com/read/102135221/the-french-revolution

13. Bastille Day • The Third Estate was terrified that the government had allowed the Prussians to invade • Led a mob to the Bastille (a symbol of the regime) • Raided for supplies, weapons, and ammunition • Killed the people they already had imprisoned • Took more captives • July 14th became known as Bastille Day • Also France's national independence day http://www.philebrity.com/2011/07/14/bastille-day-who-says-it-cant-be-our-holiday-too/ http://bastille-day.funmunch.com/

14. Marquis de Lafayette • Born Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier • Liberal general in the American Revolution; served under George Washington • Suggested French Estates-General, where people representing each Estate came to meet • Panicked when the Revolution grew increasingly radical • Attempted to flee, much like the king • Imprisoned, also much like the king • Napoleon freed him • Became a member of the Chamber of Deputies • Nicknamed The Hero of Two Worlds posthumously. • Awarded honorary American citizenship in 2002

15. Napoleon Bonaparte • Born in Italy • Trained as military officer in France • Stood with the Third Estate against the First and Second Estates • Staged a coup d'état in 1799 and declared emperor of France five years later • Took power and led a series of battles, called the Napoleonic Wars • Instituted the Napoleonic Code • Wanted to 'spread' ideologies of French Revolution • Napoleonic Code stated that persons of a high order birth would have no more privileges and rights than those of someone born into poverty • Also stated that jobs would go to the most qualified, rather than those with the most connections

16. King Louis XVI • Ascended to the throne at age 19 • Country was already in massive debt • Did not support Enlightenment ideologies • Supported the North American colonists, and aided them during the American Revolution against Great Britain • Wanted to be loved by the people more than he wanted to make decisions for the good of the country • Tried and failed multiple times at winning the respect and adoration of his people • Hired Jacques Necker, a financial advisor, and promptly fired him, angering the people further • Attempted to flee France with his family and was caught and imprisoned • Suffered from clinical depression; during these episodes, he could not make decisions at all • Executed via guillotine during Reign of Terror

17. Marie Antoinette • Born Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna to the emperor and empress of Austria • Just fourteen when she was married to the Dauphin of France • Initially liked by the French people • Soon reviled due to exorbitant spending and gambling • Nicknamed Madame Deficit • Also L'Autrichienne (literally "Austrian woman", but sounded like "the other bitch") • Implicated in a theft scandal, but ultimately cleared of all charges • Imprisoned with her husband and children • Executed nine months after her husband, via guillotine • Fact: Never actually said "Let them eat cake." It was simply a rumor started by a rival in the court that exploded due to extenuating circumstances

18. Tools and Tactics

19. La Grande Terreur Also known as the Reign of Terror. It was a period of time after the French Revolution began when many people were executed via guillotine. It was a time of great fear and uncertainty for the French people. Below is a painting of a mob, post-execution. The executioner holds the head of the victim to encourage the crowds. Above is a rendering of the French countryside during a raid that was so common during the Reign of Terror.

21. The Aftermath of La Révolution • No tax system • Fixed prices were introduced for important items • Constitution was held in place • Free education was introduced • Many leaders afterwards, most famous being Napoleon; no form of government lasted very long • The July Monarch, a later government, was cause for the June Rebellion, which, despite popular belief, is actually what Les Misérables is based off of.