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This chapter explores the origins of the French Revolution, including the economic troubles faced by the country, the discontent among the lower classes, and the weak leadership of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
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French Revolution and Napoleon Chapter 23
A. France during the Old Regime • Old Regime – Period in French history before 1789 • Estates – French social classes
First Estate • Roman Catholic Clergy • Less than 1% of the population • Owned 10% of France’s land • Paid no direct tax • “Free Gift” – About 2% of their income went to taxes
Second Estate • French Nobles • 2% of France’s population • Owned 20% of France’s land • Were exempt from paying most taxes • Important government, military, & church positions were held by nobles
Primary Source – Louis Sebastien Mercier, 1783 • “The distance which separates the rich from other citizens is growing daily and poverty becomes more insupportabe at the sight of the astonishing progress of luxury which tire the view of the poor. Hatred grows more bitter and the state is divide into two classes: the greedy and insensitive and the murmuring malcontents.”
Third Estate • Everybody else in France • 97% of France’s population • 50% of their income went to pay taxes • Tithe – Church tax that was 1/10th of one’s total income • No voice in government
B. Economic Woes • French government was nearly bankrupt when Louis XVI becomes king • France’s involvement in the American Revolution (1775-1783) nearly doubled France’s nation debt • French taxes were heavily increased as a result of the war
Primary Source – Jean Marie Roland, 1777 • “Workmen today need twice as much money for their subsistence, yet they earn no more than fifty years ago when living was half as cheap.”
Question • Why would France want to become involved in the American Revolution? • France saw the Revolutionary War as an opportunity to restore its national pride (after its loss in the French and Indian War) and weaken the British
C. Bad Growing Years • 1780s – Bad weather led to widespread crop failures • Caused the price of bread to double which increased starvation
Question • Why is the price of bread usually related to how many people face starvation?
D. Weak Leadership • Louis XVI – French king who wanted to do what was right for the French people – Nice Guy • Wrong Person • Wrong Position • Wrong Time
Marie Antoinette • French Queen does little to help her husband • Madame Deficit – Nickname earned by her elaborate spending • 1786 – Lost the equivalent of 1.5 million dollars playing cards
E. Meeting of Estates-General • Louis XVI hopes to avoid bankruptcy by taxing the church and nobles • According to medieval tradition each estate was given one vote • Thus, the 1st and 2nd Estates could always outvote the 3rd Estate
Primary Source – What is the Third Estate, Abbe Sieyes, 1789 • “1. What is the Third Estate? Everything. • 2. What has it been heretofore in the political order? Nothing. • 3. What does it demand? To become something therein.”
National Assembly – 3rd Estate declares that they represent all of France • Refuse to meet according to medieval tradition • Oath of the Tennis Court – Agree not to disband until France has a written Constitution
Primary Source – Oath of the Tennis Court – June 20, 1789 • “We swear never to separate ourselves from the National Assembly, and to reassemble wherever circumstances require, until the constitution of the realm is drawn up and fixed upon solid foundations.”
F. Outbreak of War • Louis orders the 1st and 2nd Estates to join the National Assembly • Louis senses trouble and orders Swiss guard to Paris • Rumors spread that Louis plans to attack France with a foreign army
Revolution Begins • July 14, 1789 – Angry mob storms the Bastille which marks the beginning of the French Revolution
