The document summarizes the social structure and economic conditions in France before the French Revolution. It describes the three estates that divided French society - clergy, nobility, and commoners. The nobility and clergy were exempt from most taxes while the commoners bore the entire tax burden. King Louis XVI faced an empty treasury due to years of war, maintaining the lavish Versailles palace, and supporting the American Revolution. Increased taxes on the commoners to pay for government expenses led to discontent and resentment, while new ideas from philosophers were spread among the growing middle class, laying the groundwork for revolution.

1. FRENCH REVOLUTION
Class 9th
History Chapter -1
By Christy K. Philip

2. MAP 1700-1799

3. What is a Revolution
• The word revolution refers to a drastic change of some sort, that has
happened during a short period of time. It can be overthrow of the
government, or a very important change in the way people do things,
or a change in our way of thinking.

4. What was society like in
France before the French
revolution?
Before the revolution the French people were
divided into three groups:
• The first estate: the clergy
• The second estate : the nobility
• The third estate : the common people
(bourgeoise, urban workers, and the peasants).
• Legally the first two estates enjoyed many
privileges, particularly exemption from most
taxation.

6. LOUIS XVI
• Louis XVI of the Bourbon family of kings
ascended the throne of France.
• He was 20 years old and married Austrian
princess Marie Antoinette.
• Upon his accession the new king found an
empty treasury.

7. Reasons for empty treasury
• Long years of war had drained the financial
resources of France.
• The cost of maintaining the palace of
Versailles.
• Under Louis XVI, France helped the thirteen
American colonies to gain independence
from the common enemy, Britain.
• 10 percent of interest on loans
• Taxes increased to meet the expenses, such
as the cost of maintaining an army, the
court, running government offices or
universities.

8. TAX PAYERS
• The third estate bore the entire tax burden
• Tithe- 1/10th of the agricultural produce
• Taille – tax paid to the state.
• Clergy and nobility enjoyed at their cost

10. Middle class
• The works of these philosophers increased the discontent felt by the
middle classes, and made them resent their position bitterly.
• The ideas of these philosophers were
discussed intensively in salons and coffee-
houses and spread among people through
books and newspapers. These were
frequently read aloud in groups for the
benefit of those who could not read and
write.

11. Conclusion
• Society before French Revolution (General Estate)
• Reasons for empty treasury
• Subsistence crisis
• Emergence of Middle class
• Read French Revolution chapter 1 from pg 4 to pg 7.