during the french revo, george washington became the first pres of the u.S.
started in 1789 until 1799
france and england were considered the most advanced countries in europe and the world
had a large population and a great foreign trade
most of the world did not knows frances debt
old regime-the social and political system of france
under this regime there were 3 large social classes called estates
made up of clergy of the roman catholi church
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 population 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 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 wasnt 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 of the population
Enlightment Ideals
enlightment is a complex with many influences for this chapte we will focus on the influence from usa
the 3rd estate was becoming very tired of the old regime
they prompted the ideals of equality liberty and a democracy
Louis the 16 was a very week leader
he was very indecisive and paid vry little attention to his advisors
marie didnt 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 werent happy there either so the estated 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 three estates would meet seperately and there would only be one 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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