French Revolution overview French in 1789 Causes and

French Revolution overview - French in 1789. - Causes and course of the revolution. - Napoleon's reaction against democracy and the modernisation of France. - The spread revolution – any aspirations - The legacy of the French revolution

France in 1789 What is a revolution? Conditions in France that made a revolution possible. Social structure of France. Economic The problems. King and Queen.

Fundamental change in social structure or government of a country. Voice the problems that they had: The way the country is being run How people are being treated How the countries money is being spent The French revolution was caused due to a financial crisis.

What were the conditions in France that made a revolution probable by 1789 Many European countries had experienced revolts France was the only country that developed into a full revolution: Grievances were wide spread Rigidity of the regime Arrogance of the privileged Poor economic situation Poor harvests An attempt to remove government , by force Starvation Unemployment Incompetent king

The social structure in France was ruled by a King: France was divided into 3 Estates King Louis XVI 1 – Clergy members of the church 2 – Nobles wealthy men and women 3 – Peasants working class

Social structure of France

Economic Problems SUFFERING HEAVILY WITH DEBT PAYING OFF DEBT FROM PREVIOUS WARS PAYING OFF LOANS SUPPORT FOR THE AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE EXTRAVAGANT LIFESTYLE OF THE ROYAL FAMILY BAD HARVESTS UNEMPLOYMENT NOT ENOUGH FOOD FOR EVERYONE

Economic Problems con… Taxes Taille – tax on land or income Gabelle – special tax on salt Tithes – tax paid to the church There was often corruption = shortage of money Financial minister tried to change this nobility put a stop to it.

The King & Queen of France When they got married Marie Antoinette was 14 and Louis was 16 Louis was 20 when he became King Marie was 18 when she became queen They were second cousins They got married as an act of good faith between countries, the day after they meet Marie Antoinette was the last born of 15 children Marie Antoinette never said “let them eat cake”

Con… The French believed the king had been given the right to rule by God: the king only answered to God Ruled by decree No trials were held Parliament only represented nobility The biggest problem the faced was the King Louis was a weak leader…