The French Revolution began in 1789 and was caused by widespread poverty and hunger among the commoners, as well as Enlightenment ideas promoting liberty and equality. The majority of the French population were broke and starving despite being taxed, while the nobility and clergy owned most of the land and paid little tax. When the Estates General met, the representatives of the commoners declared themselves the National Assembly, seeking more political power. Key events included bread riots by starving women, and both the King and Queen were eventually executed by guillotine during the Revolution. Over 17,000 people lost their lives. Napoleon later took power as leader and crowned himself Emperor of France.

1. The French Revolution
 1789

2. Causes of French Revolution
 Ideas of liberty and equality from
the American Revolution (note:
Constitution was signed 2 yrs
before in 1787)
 Enlightenment ideas of John
Locke

3. Causes of French Revolution
 Vast majority of people were
broke and hungry.
 Vast majority were in the
lowest estate

4. Three Estates
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Land
Ownership
Taxation Population
Clergy
Nobility
Commoners

5. bourgeoisie
 Part of the third estate,
they were the “middle
class” of France.
 They were bankers,
merchants, factory
owners (educated people)
 Led the revolution

6. Revolution - beginnings
 Although people
were starving
and the country
was broke, the
royal family
flaunted their
wealth and
uncaring.

7. Bread riots
 People were hungry;
the country was
broke.
 This picture is from
an all-woman bread
riot.
 Marie Antionette said
“let them eat cake”

8. King Louis XVI
 His grandfather Louis
XIV was the ultimate
“absolutist” king.
 This king was weak
 He had so little control,
he called for the French
congress to fix some
problems

9. Estates General meets
The part of the
French Congress
representing the
third estate left and
declared
themselves THE
congress of
France.

10. Events continued
 French created
their own
Declaration of the
Rights of Man
and Citizen
modeled after
TJ’s Declaration
of Independence

11. Effects of the French Revolution
 Both the King and
Queen were beheaded
 French monarchy no
more
 In addition to the Royal
family, 17,000 people
were executed with the
guillotine.

12. Effects continued. . .
 Napoleon
Bonaparte was
elected leader,
then appoints
himself
emperor of
France.
 Sold Louisiana
to TJ

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