Notes 1 The Causes of the French Revolution

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Notes #1 The Causes of the French Revolution

Notes #1 The Causes of the French Revolution

Social Problems: The Three Estates • The Estates were an unequal, social order created

Social Problems: The Three Estates • The Estates were an unequal, social order created during the Middle Ages. • It consisted of three different Estates into which the people of France were grouped. • The Estates were NOT based on wealth but rather privileges

The First Estate Clergy Privileges and duties: Upper Clergy: Who: Bishops, Cardinals, Abbots They

The First Estate Clergy Privileges and duties: Upper Clergy: Who: Bishops, Cardinals, Abbots They were Church leaders, who came from nobility, and were rich and powerful Lower Clergy: Who: parish priests, monks, nuns. They were more like the average Frenchman and worked closely with the common man. • Owned 10% of the land (P) • Paid no taxes (P) • Collected tithes (P) • Ran schools, hospitals and orphanages (D) • Led the Church (D) Grievance: • Spoke out against Enlightenment ideas

The Second Estate Nobility: Upper Nobility: Who: Dukes, Princes, Marquis, Counts, and Lower Nobility:

The Second Estate Nobility: Upper Nobility: Who: Dukes, Princes, Marquis, Counts, and Lower Nobility: Vis-Counts They were often rich and very influential because they had access to the King. Privileges and duties: • Paid no taxes (P) • Land ownership (P) • Hunting rights (P) • Held top jobs in the government, military, and the church (P) Grievances: Who: Knights, Barons, • Hated absolutism Seigneurs, Chevaliers • Resented middle class taking jobs • Feared losing their They were often privileges poor(er) & lived in the outer regions of France and had little access to the King.

The Third Estate Bourgeoisies: • Middle class included: lawyers, bankers, merchants, doctors, journalists, professors,

The Third Estate Bourgeoisies: • Middle class included: lawyers, bankers, merchants, doctors, journalists, professors, and skilled artisans Rural Peasants: • Land-owning peasants • Land-less peasants • Peasant labor Urban Dwellers: • Laborers / workers • Unemployed • Homeless ANYONE ELSE! Privileges and Duties: • Rich middle class could buy a tax exemption. (P) • Pay taxes (D) • Served other Estates (D) Grievances: • Only Estate that paid taxes • Served the First and Second Estates • Unequal land distribution • Not enough food/ poor harvest • Rising food prices • Being indebted to the Second Estates • No hunting rights • Labored 1 -day a week for free • Legal inequalities

First Estate Three Estates: Second Estate Third Estate

First Estate Three Estates: Second Estate Third Estate

Economic Problems 1. Burden of Debt: » » » Deficit spending: French govt. was

Economic Problems 1. Burden of Debt: » » » Deficit spending: French govt. was spending more $ than it had. Wars and upkeep at the Palace of Versailles Potential solution: reduce expenses and/or raise taxes 2. Poor Harvest: » Bad harvest increase in food prices » Led to starvation & riots demanding bread 3. Failure of Reform » » Poor leadership under Louis XIV, XV and XVI Refusal by First & Second Estates to be taxed

The French Urban Poor

The French Urban Poor

Financial Problems in France, 1789 Urban Commoner’s Budget: – – – Food Rent Tithe

Financial Problems in France, 1789 Urban Commoner’s Budget: – – – Food Rent Tithe Taxes Clothing TOTAL 80% 25% 10% 35% 20% 170% King’s Budget: – – – – Interest 50% Army 25% Versailles 25% Coronation 10% Loans 25% Admin. 25% TOTAL 160%

Need for Political Reform How do we fix these problems? 1. Call a meeting

Need for Political Reform How do we fix these problems? 1. Call a meeting of the Estates-General • the legislative council made up of representatives of each estates – to meet & discuss reform 2. Decrease government spending 3. Tax ALL estates!

Convening the Estates General May, 1789 Last time it was called into session was

Convening the Estates General May, 1789 Last time it was called into session was 1614!

The Meeting of The Estates General • When: May, 1789 • Where: the Palace

The Meeting of The Estates General • When: May, 1789 • Where: the Palace of Versailles • Who: Members of each Estate • Why: Each Estate was to prepare cahiers, or notebooks, listing their problems • What: Discussion of each grievance & vote. ONE vote per Estate.

The Traditional Voting Pattern: Voting by Estates 1 1 Clergy 1 st Estate Aristocracy

The Traditional Voting Pattern: Voting by Estates 1 1 Clergy 1 st Estate Aristocracy 2 nd Estate 1 Commoners 3 rd Estate

Voting Problems • In the Traditional Vote thee First & Second Estate outvoted the

Voting Problems • In the Traditional Vote thee First & Second Estate outvoted the Third Estate. • The Third Estate demands votes to be counted “by head. ”

The Number of Representatives in the Estates General: Vote by Head! 300 Clergy 1

The Number of Representatives in the Estates General: Vote by Head! 300 Clergy 1 st Estate Aristocracy 2 nd Estate 300 648 Commoners 3 rd Estate

The National Assembly • With no agreement on voting, the 3 rd Estates leaves.

The National Assembly • With no agreement on voting, the 3 rd Estates leaves. • The National Assembly is formed & work to create a Constitution • Members of the 1 st & 2 nd Estate are asked to join them & some agree. • They take the Tennis Court Oath: agreeing to work together to create a Constitution.

“The Tennis Court Oath” by Jacques Louis David June 20, 1789

“The Tennis Court Oath” by Jacques Louis David June 20, 1789

Storming the Bastille, July 14, 1789 The event that starts the French Revolution. The

Storming the Bastille, July 14, 1789 The event that starts the French Revolution. The King claims to accept the National Assembly. Yet a rumor begins that the king is planning a military coup against the National Assembly. 18 died. 73 wounded. 7 guards killed. It held 7 prisoners [5 ordinary criminals & 2 madmen].