French Revolution: The beginnings-
Cause of Revolution-
There are four reasons of the French Revolution
Debt- The debt of the French government was around 8 to 12 billion livre (their currency)
Louis XVI spent a lot of money on very luxurious things, instead of being financially responsible.
Also they still had war debts form the seven year's War (with England) 1756-1763
Much of their debt was complied because they weren't exploring like their rival, England.
England was able to use the colonies as a steady source of income.
France had not completely bought into Mercantilism either at this time like Enland had.
Taxation Issues- France, at this time, was heavily involved in trading. (good)
However, to be a great trading country, you cannot have high tariffs, so you need to tax heavily on your people. (bad)
Masses of people of France, not too thrilled with this idea. Also nobles did not pay these taxes.
Failure of reform- Some French "economists" stated that the nobles shoud be included in taxation.
This plan backfired, as peasants had to pay even more than before.
France continued to stick with their economic plan even though they were continuing to go deeper and deeper in debt.
Famine- Crop failure in the 1780's didn't help much either.
Supply and demand occurs here with bread.
Got to the point where peasants thought the crown had wished for them to die (conspiracy)
Guillotine The condemned person is secured at the bottom of the frame, with his or her neck held directly below the blade.
However, it continued to be used long after the Revolution and remained France's standard method until a little more than 30 years ago.
Marie Antoinette- Born in Vienna Austria
Married louis the XVI
Became the Queen of France
Had two sons and two daughters.
Very popular with the people at the beginning of her reign.
At the end of her reign sh was executed by the Guillotine.
Napoleon- Military leader during the later stages of the Revolution.
Became the Emperor of the French in 1804.
Know for Napoleonic code, Height, Battle tactics, waterloo
Fun Fact: During French revolution George Washington became the first President of the USA.
More Beginnings-
Started in 1789 and lasted until 1799.
In 1700's, France and England were considered the most advanced countries in Europe and the world.
It had a large population and a great (good and bad) foreign trade.
However, much of the world did not know the extreme debt that France had occurred.
Old Regime- In the 1770's, the social and political system of France was called the Old Regime.
Under this Regime, there were 3 large social classes called Estates.
First Estate- made up of clergy of the Roman Catholic Church (priest, bishops, deacons, cardinals)
Had to pay 2 percent of their earnings 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 were in this estate.
2nd estate- This group was made up of rich nobles.
They held the highest offices in the government in France.
This estate paid 0 percent of income to taxes.
Owned 20 percent of the lands in France.
This estate had only 2 percent of the population of France.
3rd estate- Included everyone that wasn't in the first two estates.
Had no power to influence their government in France.
Had to pay 50 percent of income/ food to taxes.
Resented the first two classes.
Owned 70 percent of the lands in France and consisted of 97 percent.
Enlightenment Ideals-
Is a complex with many influences, for this chapter we will focus on the influence for USA.
The 3rd estate was becoming very tired of the Old Regime.
They prompted the ideals of equality, liberty, and democracy.
Weak leader-
Louis XVI (married to Marie Antointte) was a very weak leader.
He was very indecisive and paid very little attntion to his advisors.
Marie didn't help much either with constantly expressing her opinion and the fact that she was from Austria.
He finally wanted to tax the nobles, but they weren't happy there either so the Estates General was called.
Estates General- An assembly of representatives from all there 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 seperately and there would only be 1 vote per estate.
This allowed for the 1st and 2nd estate to always beat the 3rd.
The king sided with the nobles again and they were outvoted.
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