Causes of The French Revolution

France

________ sent 12, 000 soldiers and 32, 000 sailors to help the colonists in the war.

Third Estate

________- divided into two groups- the bourgeoisie (middle class) and the peasants (80 % of the population)- owned 60 % of land, paid all of the taxes.

Unfair tax system

the Third Estate paid all of the taxes

Colonists, borrowing ideas from

Enlightenment thinkers, decided to rebel against the British government.

King Louis XVI agreed to help the colonists in order to

get back at the British for winning the Seven Years War (The French and Indian War) in the colonies.

First Estate

(Clergy – Church Officials) 1% of the population, own 15% of land – pay no taxes

Second Estate

(aristocracy – nobles) 2% of population, own 25% of land – pay no taxes

Government debt

From wars against England and the luxurious lifestyle of the monarchy
Banks refused to lend the king more money

France sent

12,000 soldiers and 32,000 sailors to help the colonists in the war.

French warships help

force the British surrender at Yorktown.

The American Revolution inspired

French nobles to volunteer to fight