Causes of theFrench Revolution

(1789 – 1815)

I. The Old RegimeA. Def. = system of feudalism that ruled

France through a coalition of monarch, nobles, & Church.

Causes of the French Revolution (4:55)

II. 4 Causes of the French Revolution

1. Unequal social systemA. 3 Estates

1. 1st = Church2. 2nd = Nobles3. 3rd = everyone else

• bourgeoisie – merchants/skilled laborers• city workers – unskilled• peasants – 80% of pop.

B. 1st & 2nd Estates were 2% of pop. BUT owned 30% of property

C. 3rd Estate was 98% of pop. But owned almost no property; paid almost all the taxes!

2. The Enlightenmenta. spread idea of equality & liberty

b. appeals to 3rd estate

c. American Revolution

3. Failing French Economya. high taxes low profits

b. food shortages

c. govt. debt

4. Weak Leadershipa. Louis XVI incompetent & ineffectual

b. Marie Antoinette hated by French

1. foreigner – Austrian

2. extravagant spender

http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~etanter/Louis.html

http://www.batguano.com/VigeeMAgallery.html

Start of French Revolution: Spring, 1789 (2:35)

III. Revolution DawnsA. Louis calls meeting of Estates General

(May,1789)1. E. G. = assembly of reps. from all 3 estates

2. Louis needs them to raise taxes

http://encarta.msn.com/media_461550976_761568934_-1_1/The_Estates-General_1789.html

B. E.G. argues & splits into 2 bodies1. past = each estate got one vote (unfair to 3rd)

2. 3rd estate wants each delegate to get a vote

3. 3rd estate breaks away & forms the National Assembly *(beg. of rep. govt.)

C. Tennis Court Oath1. other 2 estates exclude 3rd from meeting

2. 3rd meets at tennis court & vows not to leave until France has a constitution.

3. Louis orders 1st & 2nd estates to join them

Storming of the Bastille (1:59)

IV. A Great Fear Sweeps FranceA. Wave of violence after the Bastille

1. peasants rise up against nobles in countryside

a. burn manors

b. destroy rental records

B. The Women’s March (late 1789)1. angry women join mob & march from Paris

to Versailles

a. demand bread & for King to come to Paris

b. Louis & Marie forced to go to Paris & try to make peace

D. Storming of the Bastille – July 14, 17891. rumors that King is going to attack

citizens of Paris2. Angry mob captures royal prison

a. weapons for defenseb. symbol of royal power & cruelty