The French Revolution

Causes of the French Revolution Intellectual Social Political

Intellectual

Social

Political

Liberalism: A much larger intellectual class with political ideas that Enlightenment had spread around Europe. Liberty The sovereignty of the people Equality: equal rights for all under the law Intellectual Causes

Liberalism:

A much larger intellectual class with political ideas that Enlightenment had spread around Europe.

Liberty

The sovereignty of the people

Equality: equal rights for all under the law

Social Cause The Estate System

The Estate System

The First Estate The Clergy 1% of population,yet have 10% of the land. Wealth, land, priveleges, and levied a tax on the peasants

The Clergy

1% of population,yet

have 10% of the land.

Wealth, land, priveleges, and levied a tax on the peasants

The Second Estate The Nobility 2-5% of the population, but owned 20% of the land. They had great wealth and taxed the peasantry.

The Nobility

2-5% of the population,

but owned 20% of the land.

They had great wealth

and taxed the peasantry.

Third Estate Everyone Else 95% of the population. A few rich members, the artisans, and all the peasantry. These were also class divisions.

Everyone Else

95% of the population. A few rich members, the artisans, and all the peasantry.

These were also class divisions.

Subdivisions of the Third Estate Bourgeoisie Peasants Urban Poor of Paris

Bourgeoisie

Peasants

Urban Poor of Paris

Bourgeoisie 8% of the population, 2.3 million, but had 20% of the land. They often bought land and exploited the peasants on it. Although this group was important, it had no say in running the government.

8% of the population, 2.3 million, but had 20% of the land.

They often bought land and exploited the peasants on it.

Although this group was important, it had no say in running the government.

The Peasants Majority of the population. Paid the most taxes. Labor service to the state, tithe to the clergy. Services to the landlords. Farmed the land, yet it was not legally theirs. They wanted to “own” property.

Majority of the population.

Paid the most taxes. Labor

service to the state, tithe to

the clergy. Services to the

landlords.

Farmed the land, yet it

was not legally theirs.

They wanted to “own” property.

The Urban Poor Artisans, factory workers, other urban dwellers High literacy. Literacy high in general, which is another way that ideas spread as quickly as they did.

Artisans, factory workers, other urban dwellers

High literacy. Literacy high in general, which is another way that ideas spread as quickly as they did.

Socio-Economic Data, 1789

The Political Cause Problems with State Finances: Economic Weakness: French commerce struggling Taxation problems: Rich not taxed. Basically not enough income for the government to do its job. Taxes were raised…..of course on the poor. Dependence on loans. Cost of mid century wars (American Revolution) Bankruptcy of the state

Economic Weakness: French commerce struggling

Taxation problems: Rich not taxed. Basically not enough income for the government to do its job.

Taxes were raised…..of course on the poor.

Dependence on loans. Cost of mid century wars (American Revolution)

Bankruptcy of the state

Where is the tax money?

Events leading to calling of the Estates General A) Calonne’s Plan: tax landed property, no evasion by nobles B)Opposition: Nobles did not want to be taxed

A) Calonne’s Plan: tax landed property, no evasion by nobles

B)Opposition: Nobles did not want to be taxed

Events leading to calling of the Estates General C) Assembly of Notables 1787: Basically says government has no right to demand new taxes and an Estates General needed to be called again.

C) Assembly of Notables 1787: Basically says government has no right to demand new taxes and an Estates General needed to be called again.

Events leading to calling of the Estates General D) Calling of the Estates General: To meet in 1789. End of Absolutism. 3rd Estate not happy because they would be given 1/3 of the vote.

D) Calling of the Estates General: To meet in 1789. End of Absolutism. 3rd Estate not happy because they would be given 1/3 of the vote.

Events leading to calling of the Estates General E) Rapid discussion of ideas follows. At this same time bread prices rise to unforeseen levels, causing further dissatisfaction.

E) Rapid discussion of ideas follows. At this same time bread prices rise to unforeseen levels, causing further dissatisfaction.

The French Urban Poor

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

Urban Commoner’s Budget:

Food 80%

Rent 25%

Tithe 10%

Taxes 35%

Clothing 20%

TOTAL 170%

King’s Budget:

Interest 50%

Army 25%

Versailles 25%

Coronation 10%

Loans 25%

Admin. 25%

TOTAL 160%

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

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

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

“ The Third Estate Awakens”

Storming the Bastille, July 14, 1789

National Constituent Assembly 1789 - 1791 August Decrees August 4-11, 1789 (A renunciation of aristocratic privileges!) Liberté! Egalité! Fraternité! Equality & Meritocracy

Equality & Meritocracy

The Great Fear: Peasant Revolt July 20, 1789

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen August 26, 1789

Louis XVI “Accepts” the Constitution & the National Assembly. 1791

Importance of the French Revolution It brought the People to the forefront of politics Set the model for later revolutions Changed the political map of Europe forever

Importance of the

French Revolution

It brought the People to the forefront of politics

Set the model for later revolutions

Changed the political map of Europe forever