KING & QUEEN OF FRANCE
• King Louis XVI ruled from 1774 to
1792
• Married Marie Antoinette in 1770
• Both died in the
year 1793
• They had 4 children
King Louis XVI
23/08/1754 to 21/01/1793
Marie Antoinette
02/11/1755 to 16/10/1793
The Absolute Monarch of France
An Absolute Monarch is a King or Queen who has total control
over everything in the country in which they rule.
• Louis became King at the age of 19.
• He focused on foreign policy and
religious uniformity.
• He wanted to be love by his people
• The country was heavily in debt
• He suffered from depression
King Louis XVI
23/08/1754 to 21/01/1793
The French Elite – the First Estate
The French Elite were Kings, Queens, and
Nobility
• The Nobility in France during this period
owned 90% of all lands
• They collected dues and rent from the
peasants who lived on their land
The Church in France
– the Second Estate
• King Louis brought about religious
uniformity which meant that people were
allowed to practice different religions
without fear of punishment.
• Religious Leaders controlled 10% of the land
in France
Poverty in France
– the Third Estate
•
•
97% of the French
population were living in
poverty
They were forced to work
on the Nobilities Estates for
very little in return
• During this time the American Revolution
was taken place which encouraged people
to think about taking control to implement
change
The Revolution Begins
• In 1788 a bad harvest leads to further unrest
• 97% of people in France had no vote
• On May 19th 1789 King Louis convened the EstatesGeneral to hear the grievances of the Third Estate
Leaders (who represented the common people)
• King Louis locked them out of the meeting
so they could not air their grievances
• As a result the Leaders met in a indoor tennis
court and decided to form a National
Assembly and establish a new Constitution
The Tennis Court Oath
• The Estates-General took an oath not to separate until
the new Constitution was established
• This oath became known as the ‘Tennis Court Oath’
• They were gradually joined by other leaders of the
common people
• The people feared that they King would attack
them for looking to make changes so they
decided to break into the Bastille Prison to
Steal the weapons that were there
The Bastille Prison
• On 14th July 1789 the common people stormed the
Bastille Prison taking all weapons and releasing
prisoners
The Fete de la Federation
• On 14th July 1790 a huge celebration and feast was
held. It lasted for four days
• It took place on the Champ de Mars which was outside
Paris
• In 1880 Bastille Day was made a national
holiday to be celebrated each year
The Death of King Louis XVI
• On 21st January 1815 King Louis was beheaded by
guillotine at Place de la Revolution in Paris
Questions
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