Social french revolution

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Tennis court oath

(June 20, 1789) An event leading up to the french revolution, where a newly formed delegate (“National Assembly”) of the third estate was locked out of the meeting hall. In response, they pledged not to disband until a new constitution was established for France.

Ancien Regime

The political and social system in France from the middle ages to the French Revolution, characterized by absolute monarchy and feudal privileges.

Marie Antoinette

The last queen of France before the French Revolution, she was known for her extravagant lifestyle and unpopularity, ultimately leading to her execution by guillotine in 1793.

Marquis de Launay

The governor of Bastille, who was killed and decapitated with his head paraded amongst the crowd on a pike

Taxes in France

Taxes were mainly levied on the third estate, including:

Taille - land tax

Vingtieme - Five percent tax on income

Capitation - Head tax

Gabelle - Salt tax

Aidas - Food/Drink tax

Octrois - import tax

Meeting of the Estates-General (1789)

First meeting of the Estate-General since 1614, nothing was settled and things remained unstable

Short term causes of the French Revolution

American War of Independance - France supported the American side, using a lot of money on military support

Financial crisis - Government had gone into debt, and raised taxes

Reform failure - Assembly of Notables had refused to reform, Calonne and other generals who proposed reform were all refused and dismissed.

Economic crisis - Bad harvests throughout the 1780’s, leading ot rising bread prices and riots