history French revolution

What is resolution?

an aggressive overthrow of a goverment structure or massive sudden change in societal values.

Absolute Monarch

kings who had all the power vested in their hands.

ancien regime/ old order

a system of government that existed in France before the revolution and replaced it with a government based on democratic principles of liberty, equality and fraternity.

bourgeosiesie

A group of people that formed part of the Third estate: merchants, manufacturers, professional men and farmers.

decree

An order given by a government or authority and having the force of law.

feudal dues

A method of holding land (during the Middle Ages in Europe) by giving one's services to the owner.

fraternity

a group of people sharing a common profession or interests

Equality:

Everyone should be equal in the eyes of the law.

liberty

Refers to all types of freedoms: Freedom of speech; freedom of choice; freedom of religion.

the first estate members

the clergy (the body of all people ordained for religious duties, especially in the Christian Church)

second estate members

the Nobles(a person of noble rank or birth.)

the third estate members

the Commoners / populace (masses of poor people)

what century did the French revolution take place

18th

who ruled france?

the monarch under the acien regime ruled by the divide rights of kings

divine right of kings

the doctrine that kings derive their authority from God not their subjects.

describe the first estate

privileged class

clergy of the catholic church

owned 10% of the land in France

do not pay taxes

priests collect tithes from the power

consisted of less that 1% of population.

describe the second estate

nobility who were the privileged class

did not pay taxes

life of luxury and political power

owned most of land

2% of the populatoin.

describe the third estate

made up of peasants of famers from wealthier classes

96% -97%of France

paid taxes.

Economic Causes of the French Revolution

The Third Estate had to pay all the taxes, even though the nobles and the Church had most of the wealth. In addition, the country was broke because Louis XIV spent so much.

SOCIAL CUASES OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTOIN

There were three (3) classes of people in France. The First Estate was the Church. Members of the Church paid no taxes. The Church owned 20% of the land.

The Second Estate were the nobles. They had all the best jobs in the country and they owned most of the land. They also paid no taxes.

The Third Estate was made up of 97% of the people (peasants, workers, middle class). They had no special rights. They did pay all the taxes.

Political Causes of the French Revolution

King Louis XVI was an absolute monarch who ruled by Divine Right. He placed hundreds of people in jail and killed others. Nobles had all the power. There was no democracy. In addition, Louis XVI' s wife, Marie Antoinette* as very unpopular with the French because she spent a lot of money and she was a German.

name facts about king louis the XIV (14)

Louis XIV (the "Sun King") was a strong ruler who expanded France's power. He was hardworking, made difficult decisions, and won many battles.

Versailles, originally a hunting lodge, was transformed by Louis XIV into a grand palace with magnificent decorations, art, and luxury. It symbolized his power and allowed him to keep nobles close.

Despite his success, Louis XIV's extravagant lifestyle and wars left France in financial trouble.

His successor, Louis XV, was a weaker ruler who relied too much on his ministers, leading to further financial decline.

name some facts about king louis the XV (15)

name some facts about king louis the XVI (16)

- married to Marie Antoinette

- Louis XVI became king in 1774 at the age of 20. He had married Marie Antoinette four years earlier to strengthen ties between France and Austria.

- Louis XVI was indecisive, lacked confidence, and was easily influenced by others, making him a weak ruler (Source E).

- He had a large appetite and enjoyed hunting but was not seen as a strong, decisive monarch.

- In 1778, he and Marie Antoinette had children, but he was devastated when his eldest son died in 1789, just before the French Revolution.

- He spent time doing simple tasks like sweeping and using a telescope to watch visitors at Versailles, rather than actively ruling (Source F).

name some facts about Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette spent extravagantly, building a theatre and an English-style garden at great cost, leading to public resentment.

the financial problems faced by King Louis XVI in the late 18th century

Royal Debt Crisis:

Royal Debt Crisis:

- The French government had been in debt for nearly a century, spending more than it collected in taxes.

- A large portion of government spending (261.1 million livres) went to paying interest on debts, which was more than the military budget.

the financial problems faced by King Louis XVI in the late 18th century

Attempts to Solve the Crisis:

Attempts to Solve the Crisis:

- Finance Minister Calonne warned Louis XVI that bankruptcy was imminent. The king had limited options: raising taxes, reducing spending, or borrowing more money.

- The nobility and clergy (the First and Second Estates) paid little to no taxes, placing the burden on commoners (the Third Estate).

- The king also sold government positions (offices) to raise money, which allowed the holders to gain noble status

the financial problems faced by King Louis XVI in the late 18th century Impact of Economic Hardships:

Impact of Economic Hardships:

- Food shortages and rising grain prices in the 1770s and 1780s led to widespread poverty and unemployment, making it harder for the government to collect revenue.

- The luxurious spending of the royal household, particularly Marie Antoinette's extravagant expenses, caused public resentment

the financial problems faced by King Louis XVI in the late 18th century Consequences and Revolutionary Pressure:

Consequences and Revolutionary Pressure:

The growing financial crisis weakened the monarchy's ability to govern effectively.

Without a solution to the debt crisis, the French government faced collapse, contributing to the conditions that led to the French Revolution in 1789.