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The French Revolution

Explore the causes and consequences of the French Revolution, including the end of absolutism, tax crisis, the Third Estate dilemma, and the moderate phase. Discover the struggles for equality and political liberty in this pivotal historical event.

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The French Revolution

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  1. The French Revolution End of Absolutism

  2. Problems • They needed to maintain an army and a navy • The Monarchy was only getting a fraction of the taxes collected • Growing national debt • Rigid social structure • Growing discontent with the inequalities of the system

  3. Living Conditions • The peasants were starving • People worked hard and lost most of their gains in taxes

  4. Three Estates • The first estate - Roman Catholic clergy and it had great power • The Second Estate - Hereditary aristocracy and different classes of Nobles • The third estate - Everyone else, almost 98% of the population

  5. Tax Crisis • The tax system was not effective in taxing all members of society • The “tax farmers” were allowed to keep whatever they collected above a set rate for the monarchy • Tax exemptions granted to 1st and 2nd Estates made it difficult to meet needs • Social tensions were created by the inequality of the system

  6. Third Estate Dilemma • First and Second Estate each had 300 members. Third Estate had 600 • Each estate voted amongst itself for a consensus vote • Each estate voted as one entity with one vote • Third estate always lost by a vote of 2 to 1

  7. Louis XVI’s Unpopular Choices • Assembly Hall lockout • Firing of Jacques Necker

  8. Fall of the Bastille • General population is now behind the revolution • Peasants stopped paying taxes • Bourgeoisie assumed leadership of revolution and counted on peasant support • Peasants had their own ideas

  9. Revolution – The Moderate Phase

  10. “The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizens” • Equal rights • Respect for Liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression • The Sovereignty of the Nation • Political Liberty • Equal Justice • Government by Rousseau’s General Will • Freedom of speech • Participation in the government

  11. The Constitution of 1791 • Constitutional Monarchy with the King as Head of the Executive Branch • King had veto power over actions of the Legislative Assembly • Legislative Assembly controlled appointment and dismissal of Ministers of the Crown • General population voted for a college of electors • Electors chose members of the assembly

  12. Constitution of 1791 • Positions of responsibility were open to all citizens regardless of birth • All citizens would be taxed equally according to their ability to pay • Justice system would apply equally to everyone • Freedom of expression, assembly and religion would be guaranteed

  13. Who Could Vote? • “Active Citizens” • French males at least 25 years old who could pay taxes equal to the value of three days work, and who were not servants. This restricted many people from voting

  14. Problems • This government did little to help the poor of the country. While the powers of the Church and Monarchy were reduced, the gains were only seen by the middle classes and the poor were not seeing any beneficial change

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