Causes French Rev
- 1. Class Notes 5:3 Causes of the French Revolution
- 2. Social Inequality French social structure divided into three estates 1st Estate (Clergy) Made up about 1% of the population Upper clergy held many privileges, taxed the 3rd estate Poor parish priests go against Church, support revolution
- 3. Social Inequality 2nd Estate (Nobles) Made up about 2-3% of the population Nobility acquired titles by virtue of birth and through the holding of important government positions Only ones to hold important positions in the government Maintained modified feudal system allowing them to tax peasants Paid no taxes themselves
- 4. Social Inequality 3rd Estate ( Bourgeoisie , peasants, and workers) Made up remaining 96-97% of the population Paid taxes to the king, nobles, and Church In years preceding the revolution, many paid as much as 1/2 their income in taxes
- 5. Influences from America and Enlightenment Myth that all Americans were part of the political process It’s right and just to take up arms against tyranny (Locke) No taxation without representation
- 6. Influences from America and Enlightenment The signing of the U.S. Constitution. All men should have liberal freedoms A Republic is superior to a monarchy
- 7. Louis XVI His father had been a weak ruler, Louis XVI had not known a strong king Preferred personal interests to court interests – delegated authority Weak leader Incapable of decisive action Ignored economic woes until too late
- 8. Economic Crisis French commerce weakening over the last 100 years Significant amount of money spent assisting the United States of America in its own revolution Rich were not taxed, and refused on principle to be taxed – it was a status symbol Crop failures in the 1780s resulting in both urban and rural food riots
- 9. Economic Crisis Debt! Half of government budget went to pay interest on debt Banks were unable to loan any more money to government Several attempts at fixing the problems, but nobles blocked any real changes to the system Bourgeoisie began questioning the authority of the government, soon joined by many peasants
- 10. Art of the French Revolution
- 11. Art of the French Revolution
- 12. Art of the French Revolution
- 13. Art of the French Revolution
- 14. Art of the French Revolution