4/3/13

[2th Allan]

Durring french revolution George washington was the first president of the united states at this time.
French revo started in 1789 lasted untill 1799
1700s France and England were considered the most advanced countries in Europe and the world
It had a large population and a great foreign trade
However much of the world did not know the extream debt that france had occurred

Old Regime
In the 1770 the social and political system of france was called the old regime
Under this regime there were 3 large social classed called estates

First estate
Made up of clergy of the Roman Catholic church
Had to pay 2 percent of their earnigngs to taxes
owned 10 percent of the lands in france
Their jobs were to provide religion, education, and relief services to the poor.
Less than 1 percent of french population were in this estate

Second estate
Rich nobles
Paid no income tax
They held highest offices in the goverment in France
Owned 20 percent of the land in France
This estate had only 2 percent of the population

Third estate
Everyone else not in other estates
No power in government
Had to pay 50 percent income tax
Owned 70 percent of the land and consisted of 97 percent of the population

Enlightment Ideals
The 3rd estate was becomeing very tired of the old regime
They prompted the ideals of equality, liberty, and a democracy.

Weak leader
Louis XVI
Married to Marie Autoinette
He was indecisive and paid very little attention to his advisors
Marie didnt help much either with constantly expressing her opoinion and the fact that she was from austria
He finly wanted to tax the nobles but they werent happy there either so the estaes general was called

Estates General
An assembly of representatives from all three estates
Their goal was to approve the new tax
The meeting was held on may 5 1789 in Versailles
It was the first time the assembly had met in 175 years
In the past the 3 estates would meet seperatly and the first and second estate would gang up on the third
Each estate had one vote so third always lost.