THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
10.2.4 - Explain how the ideology of the French Revolution led France to
develop from constitutional monarchy to democratic despotism to the Napoleonic
empire.
French Revolution
Sept 16/17
Standard
Objective
10.2.4 - Explain how the
ideology of the French
Revolution led France to develop
from constitutional monarchy to
democratic despotism to the
Napoleonic empire.
I will understand the
inequalities of French Society
and explain the causes of
the French Revolution through
a simulation.
Warm Up: Copy down the following vocabulary terms into your
notebook.
Estate
Bourgeoisie
Plebiscite
Estates-General
Émigré
Concordat
Legislative assembly
coup-d'état
Who are the players?

First Estate (1%)
Roman Catholic Church
 Owned 10% of the land in France
 Provided education and relief to the poor


Second Estate (2%)
Rich nobles
 Owned 20% of the land in France and paid no taxes
 Did not like enlightenment thinking


Third Estate (97%)

Broken up into 3 different groups: bourgeoisie, workers of
France, and the peasants of France
The Third Estate



Bourgeoisie

Middle class (bankers, factory owners, merchants, professionals, skilled
artisans)

Paid high taxes and lacked privileges

Wanted more power due to their wealth
Workers of France

Tradespeople, apprentices, laborers, domestic servants

Were paid low wages, not much work, often went hungry.
 When bread prices went up, this group attacked grain carts and stole
what was needed to survive
Peasants of France

Made up 80% of France’s population

Half their income went to taxes
 Money to the nobles, tithes to the Church, and taxes to the King
 Hate the clergy and the nobles for the privileges and special treatment
Simulation!





You will all be given a role to play in French Society
Read your slip of paper
Get into your groups
Decide the course of action moving to the next
situation.
BE RESPECTFUL DURING DISCUSSION!
Goals of the Simulation
First Estate – Keep as much power as you currently
have. If you lose power, you fail the simulation
Second Estate – Keep as much power as you currently
have or gain more power if possible. If you lose
power, you fail the simulation
Third estate – Gain more power. If you fail to gain
more power, you fail the simulation
Situation 1
The American Revolution has just become successful!
The new Americans have revolted against a king who
was not doing his job and giving them equal
representation. The ideas of Locke, Rousseau, and
Voltaire that influenced that revolution are making its
way through the Third Estate!
Situation 2

As the 1780’s have come, there has been a decline
in the economy. Heavy taxing of the Third Estate
has become very difficult to conduct business and
making a profit. The cost of living has increased.
Crops have been destroyed due to bad weather,
where many people who cannot afford food has
begun to starve.
TAX TIME!




First Estate – 10
Second Estate – 7
Bourgeoisie – 5
Workers/Peasants - 3


Third Estate– Pay 1 to
the Second Estate
TITHING DAY
 Second
and Third
Estate pay 2 to the
First estate
Situation 3
Because the previous kings left King Louis XVI a debt,
he has asked to borrow money from the people. The
bankers refused to lend him money. In order to pay
for the debt and his expensive lifestyle, King Louis XVI
has raised taxes. His wife, Marie Antoinette (a.k.a
Madame Deficit) is often seen with new gowns, jewels,
gambling the money or gifting items to her friends.
Instead of cutting expenses, he decides to raise taxes
on the nobles only.
Reflection



How did you personally feel as each estate you
portrayed? Would you have done anything differently?
After these three situations, how did you think the
breakdown of power in France was done pre-French
Revolution? Was it fair for all people? If not, who did it
favor and why?
The Third Estate was justified in revolting against the
king. Use the philosophical ideas of Locke, Rousseau
and Voltaire to explain why they had the right to revolt
against the king.
What started the French Revolution?
Cause

Enlightenment ideas



Although trade was growing, taxes
were taking the money out of the
hand of the people, making
business not profitable
A weak leader


Influences from Locke, Rousseau,
and Voltaire
Economic troubles

Effect
King Louis XVI did not deal with
problems and his wife, Marie
Antoinette spent his money on
things for her (jewelry, dresses, etc)


Third Estate becomes inspired
by their ideas and the
American Revolution
People began to face
starvation due to high taxes
on items and bad weather
destroying crops.
Nobility was taxed, who then
called the Estate-General
REVOLUTION!

Revolution!