On the Eve of Revolution
Chapter 6.1 (pp. 210-215)
I. French Society Divided
A. King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette
B.
Ancien régime
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C. Society divided into 3 estates (social classes) i. First Estate – a. Owned 10% of the land b. Collected tithes c. Paid no taxes d. Church leaders were usually nobles who lived very well ii. Second Estate – a. Received top jobs in government, army, courts, and
Church b. Paid no taxes iii. Third Estate – a. 95% of the population b. Only estate to pay taxes c. Most diverse group
1. Bourgeoisie –
2. Peasant farmers
3. Urban workers
II. Financial Troubles
A. Deficit Spending –
B. National Debt Soars i. France borrowed money for wars a. Ex. ii. Bad harvests cause prices to rise - iii. Government was forced to either raise taxes, cut spending, or both
C. Economic Reform Fails i. Jacques Necker – king’s financial advisor; proposed: a. cutting back on Louis’ spending b. ii. First and Second Estates demand that Louis remove Necker and call the Estates-General to meet to discuss tax situation a. Estates-General –

III. Louis XVI Calls the Estates General
A. Estates Prepare Grievance Notebooks i. cahiers – ii. Numerous grievances showed the boiling class resentments
B. Delegates take the Tennis Court Oath i. Each estate met separately and was granted one vote a. The First and Second Estates would team up against the Third ii. Third Estate wanted votes to be counted “by head” iii. After stalemate, Third Estate declared themselves to be the
National Assembly iv. When meeting hall was locked, they met at an indoor tennis court v. Tennis Court Oath –
C. The King accepted the National Assembly, but his royal troops gathered around Paris
IV. Parisians Storm the Bastille
A. Rumors spread that king’s army would occupy Paris
B. July 14, 1789 – 800 Parisians stormed the Bastille i. What is it? ii. What were they looking for?
C. Commander and 5 guards were killed
D. No weapons found; a few prisoners freed
E. Symbolized revolt against the king’s abuses
F. Bastille Day –