Causes of the
French Revolution
(1789 – 1815)
I.
The Old Regime
A. Def. = system of feudalism that ruled
France through a coalition of monarch,
nobles, & Church.
Causes of the French Revolution (4:55)
II. 4 Causes of the French
Revolution
1. Unequal social system
A. 3 Estates
1. 1st = Church
2. 2nd = Nobles
3. 3rd = everyone else
• bourgeoisie – merchants/skilled laborers
• city workers – unskilled
• peasants – 80% of pop.
B. 1st & 2nd Estates were 2% of pop. BUT
owned 30% of property
C. 3rd Estate was 98% of pop. But owned almost
no property; paid almost all the taxes!
2. The Enlightenment
a. spread idea of equality & liberty
b. appeals to 3rd estate
c. American Revolution
3. Failing French Economy
a. high taxes  low profits
b. food shortages
c. govt. debt
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~etanter/Louis.html
4.
Weak Leadership
a. Louis XVI incompetent & ineffectual
b. Marie Antoinette hated by French
1. foreigner – Austrian
2. extravagant spender
http://www.batguano.com/VigeeMAgallery.html
Start of French Revolution: Spring, 1789 (2:35)
III. Revolution Dawns
A.
Louis calls meeting of Estates General
(May,1789)
1.
2.
E. G. = assembly of reps. from all 3 estates
Louis needs them to raise taxes
http://encarta.msn.com/media_461550976_761568934_-1_1/The_Estates-General_1789.html
B.
E.G. argues & splits into 2 bodies
1.
2.
3.
past = each estate got one vote (unfair to 3rd)
3rd estate wants each delegate to get a vote
3rd estate breaks away & forms the National
Assembly *(beg. of rep. govt.)
C.
Tennis Court Oath
1.
2.
3.
other 2 estates exclude 3rd from meeting
3rd meets at tennis court & vows not to
leave until France has a constitution.
Louis orders 1st & 2nd estates to join them
Storming of the Bastille (1:59)
IV. A Great Fear Sweeps France
A. Wave of violence after the Bastille
1.
peasants rise up against nobles in
countryside
a. burn manors
b. destroy rental records
The Women’s March (late 1789)
B.
1.
angry women join mob & march from Paris
to Versailles
a. demand bread & for King to come to Paris
b. Louis & Marie forced to go to Paris & try
to make peace
D.
Storming of the Bastille – July 14, 1789
1. rumors that King is going to attack
citizens of Paris
2. Angry mob captures royal prison
a. weapons for defense
b. symbol of royal power & cruelty