The French Revolution was caused by several factors including Enlightenment ideas, an unfair tax system disproportionately burdening the third estate, inspiration from the American Revolution, financial bankruptcy, poor harvests leading to hunger, and the unpopularity of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. The monarchy's lavish lifestyle contrasted sharply with the suffering of the poor, fostering resentment. Overall, these elements contributed to a growing demand for change and revolution.

1. The French Revolution
Causes
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2. {
The Enlightenment
Enlightenment writers such as Voltaire and
Rousseau were against the rule of powerful kings
and queens.
Voltaire Rousseau
1.

4. Unfair Tax System
First Estate Second Estate Third Estate
The Church (priests
and bishops)
The nobles (rich and
wealthy people)
Peasants (poor people)
Paid no tax Paid almost no tax Paid a lot of tax
Very wealthy Very wealthy Poor
2.

5. Gabelle:
Taille:
Tithe:
Salt tax
Land tax
Tax to the Church
Taxes
These are some of the taxes the Third Estate were forced to pay
Feudal Dues: Tax paid to the local lord

6. 4.American Revolution
The French were inspired by the ideas of the American
Revolution, of freedom, equality and democracy.
The soldiers from France who had fought in the war
returned home, spreading the ideas.

7. 5. Bankruptcy
The American Revolution was one in a
great many wars the French had
fought in the 18th century.
These wars were very, very expensive.
France was in a deep financial crisis: it was bankrupt.

8. 6. Poor harvests
Bad harvests left the poor people (the third estate) very hungry.
Bread was highly priced.
‘The Gleaners’ by Jean-Francois Millet
Painted in 1857
Peasant women in rural France gleaning a field of wheat

9. Unpopularity of the
French king and queen
7.

10. The French king and queen were
unpopular because…
They lived here

11. Palace of Versailles
A grand, beautiful palace outside of
Paris

12. The Marble Courtyard
Palace of Versailles

13. The people of France were poor and starving, while King Louis XVI and
Queen Marie Antoinette were living in luxury at their beautiful mansion,
dining on exquisite delicacies throwing expensive parties for all of their
rich aristocrat friends.

14. The Hall of Mirrors
Palace of Versailles

15. Marie Antoinette was born an
Austrian princess. The French
believed that she dominated
over her husband, and this
worried them, because it
showed that Louis was a
weak king.
She adored her luxurious life,
and loved sweets,
champagne, fashion and
parties. She also had a
serious gambling problem,
and wasted an awful lot of
money.

16. The Causes of the French
Revolution:
1. The Enlightenment
2. Unfair tax system
3. The influence of the American Revolution
4. Bankruptcy
5. Poor harvests
6. Unpopularity of the French king and queen