French revolution history for grade eight

2. WHY WERE THE FRENCH SO UNHAPPY BY 1789? Political causes Social causes Economic causes The spread of alternative ideas

4. WHO RULED FRANCE? Louis 16 th – kings inherited their positions He was an autocrat He believed that he ruled by ” divine right” He appointed and dismissed ministers ( govt officials) at will He could detain anyone without trial He was unaware of the needs of his subjects( people)

5. WHAT WAS SOCIETY LIKE IN FRANCE? 1 ST ESTATE 2 ND ESTATE 3 RD ESTATE French society was divided into social groups based on birth. You could not move from one social group to the next It was a hierarchical system CHURCH NOBLES BOURGEOISIE WORKERS /PEASANTS/ AND ALL THE REST!!

6. WHY WAS THE ESTATE SYSTEM SO UNFAIR? The 1st and 2nd estates were privileged ( wealthy, paid no taxes and held all the high offices in the government and army) The 3 rd estate could not hold office although members of the Bourgeoisie were educated The 3 rd estate bore the burden of the taxes for the county but had no say in the way in which the country was run

8. HOW DID ORDINARY PEOPLE INTERPRET THE SITUATION? The palace at Versailles had been built at huge cost by Louis 14 th , the Grandfather of Louis 16 th and it was expensive to run

9. EXPENSES… Louis and Marie Antoinette entertained lavishly at the Court of Versailles Sometimes Nobles and their families and entourage would spend as long as half a year being entertained there at the taxpayers’ expense. The Hall of Mirrors

10. COURT EXPENSES… Marie Antoinette pampered and addicted to gambling Trianon Trianon M-A dresses As a rural shepherdess She loved fashionable clothes

13. WHO WERE THE TRUE REPRESENTATIVES OF FRANCE? It was soon clear to the Third estate that the king wanted them to vote as a single entity. This would give the 1 st and 2 nd estates a 2/3 majority. The third estate believed that as they were the largest estate, they represented the “voice of the people” ( vox populi) Estates General 1 st estate 2 nd estate 3 rd estate

14. THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IS BORN! The 3 rd Estate left the proceedings and adjourned to a nearby indoor ballcourt. Here they swore the famous ” Tennis Court Oath” in which they promised not to disband until a new constitution had been drawn up for France. This action is significant as it is the first time that ordinary people have challenged the authority of the King. It becomes know as the Revolt of the Bourgeoisie and some historians regard it as the beginning of the revolution.

15. WHAT HAPPENED IN PARIS ON 14 TH JULY? Mobs storm the Bastille in search of gun powder. They attack the Gov-general and behead him This is the first act of violence in the Revolution. In the countryside, peasants attack the estates of their landlords, believing that they are storing grain. Many Nobles flee to neighbouring countries.

17. Reform begins… The declaration of the rights of man and citizen We declare that all men are born free and have equal rights We declare that… New reforms benefitted peasant and workers by removing privileges, feudal rights and limiting the rights of the Clergy