1789-1799
BACKGROUND
The Seven Years’ War put France into an economic crisis.
Their helping the U.S. with the American Revolution
deepened their debt.
The Three Estate System
The First Estate- (Clergy) rich, control 15% of land, make
up less than 1% of population, DID NOT have to pay taxes
The Second Estate- (Nobility) rich, paid few taxes,
inherited high positions in the church, government, and
military
The Third Estate- (Bourgeoisie) middle class, educated
professionals
Below the Bourgeoisie- forced to pay a tithe to the church,
very poor, city workers or peasants, paid heavy taxes
How Louis & Marie
Lived
Issues with the Leaders
Louis XVI racked up
debts at the expense
of the French people
for his expensive
lifestyle.
Taxed people more
& borrowed from
bankers (created
more debt)
The bourgeoisie rises
The Bourgeoisie begins to rally over the
financial crisis.
They spoke of Liberty, Equality, & Natural Rights
The wanted a new French Constitution and said
they would not stop meeting with the Estates
until a new one had been adopted
Meeting for Change
In 1787, bankers refused to lend
France any more money
To fix the issues the people called a
meeting of the Estates General
BEGINNING OF THE WAR: The
Third Estate delegates named
themselves the National Assembly
and wanted the others to work with
them.
Louis XVI let the Estates General
meet but he moved troops into
Versailles & Paris.
Bastille Prison
Captured by the commoners on July 14th,
1789.
War ensued.
National Assembly tries to Fix France
They tried to solve the problems with reforms.
Banned the forced tithe and took privileges away from the 1st
& 2nd estate
Created the Declaration of the Rights of Man
Stated that all men are born equal and should remain equal
Gave men the right to Freedom of Speech, the press,
Religion, and the right to a fair trial.
Did NOT give these rights to women
The End of a monarchy
King Louis XVI planned to overthrow the new
Constitution & escape with help from foreign
countries.
He and the entire family were imprisoned for treason.
He and his wife were guillotined.