Chapter 19, Part 1:Revolution in France

1. How did each of the following contribute to the ideaRevolution in France?

A. The Three Estates1. The First Estate- Made up of the Catholic Clergy,

owned 10% of the land, tax exempt, smallest estate.

2. The Second Estate- Made up of French nobility, represented 2% of the population

and owned 20% of the land. Also did not pay taxes.

3. The Third Estate- Made up around 98% of the population, paid all taxes. Made of

three groups.

a. Bourgeoisie- made up of artisans and merchants, well educated and followers of the enlightenment. Mostly wealthy, but paid taxes.

b. Working class- cooks, servants, etc. poorer than bourgeoisie. Often went hungry.

c. Peasants- 80% of population, Heavily taxed on little income they had.

B. Enlightenment Ideals1. The belief in Natural Rights- Life, Liberty, and

Property2. Abuses of King Louis XVI3. Freedom of Speech, Assembly

C. Weak Leadership- Louis XVI was very indecisive. Married Marie Antoinette, very unpopular because she was of Austrian royalty, and she liked to spend!

D. France’s weak economy- Increasing population, high taxes, and Louis XVI war debt in America. Banks refused to lend Louis XVI it was so bad.

1. France faced bankruptcy, Louis XVI called the Estates General for more taxes.

E. The American Revolution

1. The overthrowing of a tyrannical king spurs on revolutionary thoughts in France.

2. War debts accumulated by the American Revolution angers the French.

3. The use of Enlightenment ideals in the Declaration of Independence helps rally French support of Revolution.

2. Define the following…

A. The Estate’s General- A Legislative Body that represents the 3 Estates of France.

1. Each estate is granted ONE vote each. What issues may develop?

a. When France faced bankruptcy, Louis called the Estates General for more taxes.

B. The National Assembly- Knowing that each estate only had one vote, the third estate formed the National Assembly

declaring themselves the governing body of France.

1. “What is the Third Estate? Everything. What has it been up to now in the political speech? Nothing.”

C. Tennis Court Oath- Pledge to draw up a new constitution in the National Assembly.

`3. What Happened There…

A. The Bastille- Scared by rumors of foreign armies aiding Louis XVI. A mob takes the Bastille and its gunpowder. July 14th, 1789.

4. The Great Fear- Rumors of Nobles trying to murder peasants led to a great, senseless panic. A group of women stormed Versailles and demanded that Louis and Marie go to Paris. They agreed out of fear for their lives.