French Revolution

Old Regime

  • Three Estates

    1. Clergy

      • power of the pope

    2. Nobility

    3. Peasants and everyone else

      • 97% of the population

  • Clergy was tax exempt

    • the church has all of the power

  • Nobility had to pay 3% of taxes

  • Poorest people paid the most taxes

    • biggest group

  • Aristocratic resurgance

    • The monarchy is considered weak

    • with Louis XIV, XV, and XVI bring back the monarchies

  • The Assemble of Notables

    • In 1787, Louis XIV called an “Assemble of Notables“, hoping to get representatives from the nobility and the church to agree to be taxed

    • they didn’t want to give up their money and this caused a problem

Monarchies overspend and cause a money crisis; country is starting to get deep in debt

The Estates General

  • The French king’s advisory body

    • not convened since 1614

  • each estate cast one vote as a group

  • they don’t agree on votes and are on the edge of a revolution, but they don’t see it

Bourgeoisie

  • French professional class (merchants, lawyers, etc.)

  • The third estate wants more recognition

    • wants to become something

  • Double the third or vote by head

Hat Fiasco

  • Hats (sumptuary laws)

  • Louis XIV: hats off

  • Clergy: hats off

  • Nobility: hats off

  • Third estate: hats off

  • Louis XV: hats on

Tennis Court Oath*

  • The national assemble pledged not to adjourn until they adopted a constitution for France

  • Captitulation: they give in

    • Louis finally recognized the National Assemble as a law making body and directed the 1st and 2nd estate to join the assembly

    • he brought troops to Versailles just in case