Setting the Stage:
France was one of the most
powerful countries in the world
during this time period
(1780’s).
France was ruled by King
Louis XVI and had been ruled
be a monarchy for centuries.
The king was a tyrant that oppressed the
people and threw them in jail for disagreeing
with them.
The third estate was being taxed way too
much.
People were starving because they were so
poor.
People were being attacked because there
wasn’t adequate protection.
France’s Financial Crisis
France as a country was prosperous, but it was
running a debt because of the cost of maintaining the
royal family at Versailles.
King Louis XVI
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette spent 100,000 livres a year on clothing, the
average peasant made 500 livres a year. By 1789, the
government used 50% of its budget to pay off debt, 13% of the
budget went to pay for the royal family and its household staff
of 15,000 people. King Louis XVI needed money, but from
where.
Reasons For Financial Crisis
•
•
•
•
War Debt (American Revolution & 7 Years
King and Queen spending too much
Bad weather causing a shortage of food
Large % of money going to pay off loans
The Old
Regime
1st
Estate
2% of pop.
Owned 35% of
land
1% pop. Owned 10% of land,
Roman Catholic clergy,
collected 10% tax (tithe)
2nd Estate
Nobleman, Military
leaders, government
officials
Collected feudal
dues, taxes and rent
from the peasants.
3rd Estate
Doctors, lawyers, merchants, middle
class, known as the bourgeoisie
97% of
population,
paid all taxes
Laborers who lived in cities with families, low wages
Peasants- Owned 40% of land, but very poor. Paid taxes,
feudal dues and tithes. Also had to do gov. work without pay.