Agenda 11/16/12
Warm-up on American Revolution Review Homework on American Revolution Role Play – Estates General Notes on French Revolution Homework- Reading Guide French
Revolution
Age of Revolution
French Revolution
Background/Causes
Economic Problems
1. Debt – French and Indian War &
Assisting the colonists during the
American Revolution huge debt
2. Excesses of the monarchy
Versailles, etc…
3. Bad Harvests less food and high
prices for food- French Report
Background/Causes
Estates General
First EstateDoes not pay taxes
Clergy.5% of populationOwns 10% of land
Second EstateDoes not pay taxes
Nobles1.5% of populationOwns 20% of land
Third EstatePay taxes
Bourgeoisie (middle class)&
Peasants98% of populationOwns 70% of land
Background/Causes
Estates General – each estate had one vote 1st and 2nd Estates always voted together (common interests – like not paying taxes)
Events – Moderate Phase (1789-1791)
Estates General
1. Has not met in 175 years French kings
feared it would take away their power
2. Louis XVI asks Estates General to meet
solve economic problems
3. Problem 1st and 2nd estates always
vote against 3rd estate
4. Solution 3rd estate forms National Assembly –
it represents the people of France
National Assembly
Liberty, Fraternity, & EqualityFrench Revolution
Events – Moderate Phase (1789-1791)
Tennis Court Oath
1. 3rd Estate is locked out of its normal
meeting place – so it meets in a tennis
court
2. Oath – vowed not to separate until it
wrote a constitution for France
Events – Moderate Phase (1789-1791)
Storming of the Bastille (political prison)
1. Wanted weapons
2. Feared that royal troops might prevent
them from writing a constitution Constitution of 1791
1. Legislative Assembly – make laws and
collect taxes
2. Limited Monarchy (king + legislative assembly)
Storming of the Bastille
Events – Moderate Phase (1789-1791)
Constitution of 1791
3. Vote = men who own property and pay
taxes King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette try to
leave France – failed!!!
Events –Radical Phase(1792-1795)
Europe Went to War
1. France versus Prussia, Austria, and Great
Britain
2. Why France wanted to spread
revolution and prevent other countries
from stopping revolution National Convention
1. Radicals took control of the National Assembly
Events- Radical Phase (1792-1795)
National Convention
2. Abolished the monarchy France
became a republic
3. All men can vote and hold office Reign of Terror
1. Led by Robespierre
2. Goal wipe out every trace of France’s
past monarchy and nobility + anyone who
opposed the revolution
Events- Radical Phase(1792-1795)• Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed – guillotine
Events-The Directory (1795-1799)
1795 Constitution
1. 5 man directory (5 men governed France)
2. Vote = men who own property and pay
taxes
3. Corrupt and ineffective