French Revolution: The Beginnings-
Cause of Revolution-
There are four main causes of the French revolution
Debt-The debt of the French government was around 8-12 billion livre
Louis XVI spent a lot of money on very luxurious things, instead of being financially responsible
Also still had war debts from the seven year's war 1756-1763
Much of their debt was compiled 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 England
Taxation Issues-France at this time was heavily involved in trading. (good)
However to be a great trading county, 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 theses taxes
Failure of Reform-Some French "economists" stated that the nobles should 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 into 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 of judicial execution until the abolition of capital punishment with the backing of President Francois Mitterrand in 1981
Marie Antoinette
Born in Vienna, Austria
Married Louis the XVI
Became the Queen of France
Had two sons and two daughters
very popular at the beginning of her reign
At en of reign extremely unpopular
executed by guillotine
Napoleon Bonaparte-
Military leader during the later stages of the Revolution
Became the Emperor of the French in 1804
Known for:
Napoleonic code
Height
Battle tactics
Waterloo
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