The French Revolution
Main Idea: Economic and social inequalities in the Old Regime
helped cause the French Revolution.
Why It Matters Now: Throughout history, economic and social
inequalities have led peoples to revolt against their governments.
Part One: The Old Regime
In the 1770’s, the system of feudalism left over from the Middle Ages remained in place; this was known
as the ___________________________. The people of France were divided into three large social
classes called ___________________________. Complete the following Double-T Chart by comparing
and contrasting the First and Second Estate.
First Estate
Use additional resources if necessary.
Similar
Second Estate
Part Two: The Third Estate
On a separate sheet of paper, create a Web Diagram on the Third Estate. Be sure to create a subtopic with supporting detail for each of the three groups that make up the Third Estate.
Review Questions:
1. Which of the following groups of people belonged to the Third Estate? Check all that apply.
 San-culottes
 Church Officials
 Bourgeoisie
 The Urban Poor
 High Government Officers  The King and Queen
 Peasants
 The Middle Class
 Nobles
2. Which estate(s) was most threaten by the ideas of the Enlightenment?
 First Estate
 Second Estate
 Third Estate
French Revolution – DLJ
Part Three: The Forces of Change
Using information you have learned in this class, as well as multiple textbooks, complete the following
Matrix Chart on the causes of the French Revolution. Remember to be accurate and thorough.
Event
Define: Explain the Event (What)
Identify: Justify the Event (Why)
Enlightenment
Ideas
American
Revolution
Economic
Woes
Social
Inequalities
A Weak
Leader
French Revolution – DLJ
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French Revolution – DLJ
Marie Antoinette – The Queen of France
Louis XVI married Marie Antoinette when he was 15 and she was just
14 years old. Marie Antoinette was a member of the royal family of
________________________. She was extremely unpopular because
_______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________ As a
result, she was nicknamed __________________________________.
Despite this, Marie Antoinette had many redeeming qualities:
Investigate Marie Antoinette and complete the following T-Chart:
Actions that were “Foolish”
Actions that are “Admirable”
Part Four: Revolution Dawns
Explain each Event: Include a DEFINITION plus SUPPORTING DETAIL
Meeting of the
Estates-General
National
Assembly (Tennis
Court Oath)
Storming of the
Bastille
Review Questions:
1. ________________________ This was the name of the political prison that stored gunpowder.
2. ________________________ This group wanted to write a new constitution for the people.
French Revolution – DLJ
The Estates-General
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The Estates-General was the _________________________ of the French Government. The EstatesGeneral could only be called to order the _________________________.

At the Estates-General, the ________________________________________________________ met
to hear and _______________ on proposals for new laws.

Each estate received __________ vote. This was called ________________________________.
Review Questions:
1. What is meant by the term ESTATE? ________________________________________________
2. What is meant by VOTE BY ORDER? _______________________________________________
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During the Middle Ages, the ___________ and ___________ Estates dominated the Estates-General.

When the Estates-General was _________________________________________________, in 1789,
the First and Second Estates expected to dominate like they did in 1614.
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Under __________________________ rules, each estate met in its own hall and voted ___________
________________________ on a proposal. Each estate received ________. Thus, the First and
Second Estates _______________________________________________________ two to one.
Review Questions:
1. How many years had it been since the Estates-General had been called to order? ____________
2. Why was the Estates-General called to order in 1789? ____________________________________
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The ________________ Estate demanded that the ___________ estates meet together as one body.
They also demanded that the ___________ of each member would count equally. This was called
______________________________________. Thus, the 610 representatives of the Third Estate
would be able to _____________________ the 591 members of the First and Second Estates.

King _____________________ sided with the ____________________________________________
and ordered the Estates-General to follow the old medieval rules.
Review Question:
1. On the next page (i.e. Class Notes), explain why the 3rd Estate was upset at the Estates-General.
French Revolution – DLJ
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French Revolution – DLJ
The French Revolution
Main Idea: The revolutionary government of France made reforms
but also used terror and violence to retain power.
Why It Matters Now: Some governments that lack the support of
a majority of their people still use terrorism to control their citizens.
Part One: The Assembly Reforms France
State the historical significance (importance) of the following dates of the French Revolution:
Date
Historical Significance (Importance)
May 5th, 1789
June 17th, 1789
July 14th, 1789
August 4th, 1789
On August 27th, 1789 the National Assembly adopted the ______________________________________.
This revolutionary document was influence by the _____________________________________ and the
_________________________________. It stated that _______________________________________
_________________________________. It also stated that the purpose of government was to preserve
the natural rights of man. According to the French, these rights were:
1)
3)
2)
4)
In addition to these natural rights, this document guaranteed ___________________________________,
_________________________________ and _____________________________ to all men. As a result,
______________________________________________ became the battle cry of the French Revolution.
French Revolution – DLJ
Question
Answer
What did the National
Assembly do in
regard to the Church?
What was the
intended result of
these actions?
What was the main
motive behind the
National Assembly’s
actions? Explain.
What were the
unintended
consequences of the
National Assembly’s
actions. Explain.
Review Question:
1. Which of the following was NOT a natural right according to the National Assembly?
a. Security
c. Resistance to Oppression
b. Liberty
d. Brotherhood
2. What was the “battle cry” of the French Revolution? ____________________________________
Part Two: Conflicting Goals Cause Divisions in the Legislative Assembly

By 1791, the National Assembly created a limited constitutional monarchy. This meant ___________
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As a result, the __________________________________ replaced the National Assembly as the lawmaking branch of the French Government.

Despite this success, the French government still faced the problem of _______________________
and ________________________. There were angry cries for more ______________________,
more ________________________ and more ________________________. This caused the leaders
of the new government to turn against each other.

On the extreme right were the ___________________________ who wanted ___________________
_________________________________________________________________________________.

On the extreme left were the ___________________________ who wanted ____________________
_________________________________________________________________________________.
French Revolution – DLJ
Summarize the events that lead to the formation of the National Convention.
Once in power, what did the National Convention do?
Personal Response (p. 201): In your opinion, was the guillotine a form of cruel and unusual punishment?
What was the purpose of holding public executions then and now?
Before his execution, Louis XVI said, “I am
innocent and shall die without fear. I would
that my death might bring happiness to the
French, and ward off the dangers which I
forsee.” King Louis was one of the first
persons to be executed by the guillotine.
Part Three: The Terror Grips France; End of Terror
On a separate sheet of paper, create a formal outline of the Reign of Terror (p. 202-203); Underline
important terms/names.
French Revolution – DLJ
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French Revolution – DLJ
Review of Content: French Revolution
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23. ____________________
This is the date the National Assembly ended the Old Regime, feudalism,
church tithes and the special privileges of the First/Second Estates.
Hoping to spread their revolutionary ideas, France voted to declare war
on this country
A medieval fort and prison in Paris used to store gun powder. It was
stormed by members of the Third Estate on July 14, 1789.
They were the urban middle-class; they were the merchants/artisans and
were well-educated and often wealthy.
A group of 12 men who decided who was an enemy of the state; those
who were, were executed.
This group liked the king, wanted no more changes and was opposed to
violence.
Danton, George: A radical supporter and close ally of Robespierre who
was eventually declared a traitor; he was executed the guillotine.
This was the document written by the National Assembly that identified
the natural rights of the French citizens as well as their other liberties
A group of 5 men who were given control of France following the Reign
of Terror; Napoleon was one of the 5 men.
The legislative branch of the French government prior to the French
Revolution; it could meet only with permission from the king.
Hundreds of people stormed the prison in search of gunpowder to save
Paris/National Assembly; it was the symbolic start of the revolution.
They consisted of the Roman Catholic Clergy; they received special
privileges and paid no direct taxes.
A major change in government that began in 1789; it brought an end to
the absolute monarchy and a start to a representative government.
A machine used to behead people; it was supposed to make death quick
and painless.
This is the date that represents the symbolic start of the French
Revolution; Parisians stormed the Bastille.
This is the date that the Third Estate voted to leave the Estates-General
and form a new body of government for the people of France.
This was the legislative branch that was elected to power; it voted to start
a war with Austria; it was also forced to step down from power.
This was the slogan (battle cry) of the French Revolution; it rallied the
Third Estate to support the revolution.
He was the king of France at the start of the revolution; he was weak and
indecisive.
A radical supporter of the French Revolution who used his newspaper to
demand more blood; he was eventually murdered.
She was the queen of France at the start of the revolution; she was from
Austria and spent too much money on herself.
This is the date that the Estates-General was called to order; the 1st and
2nd estate expected to dominate the Estates-General.
This group could live with or without the king, wanted some additional
changes and supported violence only if it was justified.
French Revolution – DLJ
24. ____________________
25. ____________________
26. ____________________
27. ____________________
28. ____________________
29. ____________________
30. ____________________
31. ____________________
32. ____________________
33. ____________________
34. ____________________
35. ____________________
36. ____________________
37. ____________________
38. ____________________
39. ____________________
40. ____________________
This was legislative branch of the government; it proclaimed an end to
the absolute monarchy and the start of a representative government.
This was the legislative branch; it ended feudalism, serfdom, taxes to the
church and the special privileges of the 1st and 2nd estate.
This was the legislative branch that deposed the king of his title, declared
France a republic and publically executed the king and queen.
A combination of the absolute monarchy and feudalism in France; it
included the three estates.
They were the rural poor; they were the farmers who paid about half of
their income in taxes to nobles, the church and other agents of the king.
This group hated the king, wanted drastic and sweeping changes and
advocated the use of violence in the name of the revolution.
The excessively violent period of time during the French Revolution
under the rule of Robespierre.
Robespierre's attempt to erase all traces of the monarchy, nobility and
the Catholic Church.
The radical leader during the French Revolution responsible for the
Reign of Terror; he wanted to create a Republic of Virtue.
They were the urban poor; they were the cooks/servants who were paid
low wages and were often out of work.
They consisted of the Nobles; they received special privileges and paid
no direct taxes to the king.
A promise made by the members of the National Assembly to stay
together until they had written a constitution for France; this was the first
deliberate act of the revolution (treason).
They consisted of the bourgeoisie, the san-culottes and the peasants; they
paid high taxes and had no special privileges.
A palace built by Louis XIV outside of Paris; it was home to Louis XVI
and Marie Antoinette.
When each representative received one vote; this was favored by the
Third Estate.
When each estate received one vote; this was favored by the First and
Second Estates.
This period of time, which emphasized a standard of reason to study and
improve society, inspired the French Revolution.
French Revolution – DLJ
The French
Revolution
Liberty, Equality, Fraternity!
Name: ___________________________________
Ms. Jackson
Block:_____________
“What is the Third Estate? Everything. What has it been up to now in the
political order? Nothing. What does it demand? To become something.”
French Revolution – DLJ