French Revolution

Effects of the Enlightenment
• Ideas on

government inspire
calls for Democracy

• American

Revolution

• Rebellions in Latin

America

• Growing unrest in

France

Multiple Choice

How did the Enlightenment effect governments?

• It had no effect on government.
• It promoted ideas of individual rights, separation of powers, and the social contract.
• It led to the rise of absolute monarchies.
• It resulted in the decline of democracy.

French Society

French society was divided into 3 classes called
“Estates”:

First Estate
Catholic church
officials &Clergy

1st

2nd

3rd

2nd Estate

Nobility &
aristocracy

3rd Estate

1.

Bourgeoisie –
educated city
lawyers,
doctors,
businessmen

2.

Peasants &
farmers

The 1st Estate

• Only 1% of

population

• Own 10% of land

• Pay NO taxes

The 2nd Estate

• 3% of population

• Own 20% of the land

• Pay NO TAXES

• Control government

& live off collected
tax money

The 3rd Estate

• 95% of population

• Almost no say in

government

• Pay all the taxes

• Pay tithes to Church

Multiple Choice

What problems existed within the French estates system?

• equal representation, excessive taxation, social inequality
• overrepresentation, excessive taxation, social equality
• inequality, unfair taxation, lack of representation
• underrepresentation, fair taxation, social equality

King Louis XVI

Huge Debt from the Palace of
Versailles

• Absolute

Monarch but a
weak ruler

• Attempts

reforms but
many fail due
to nobility

Marie Antoinette

• Queen of

France

• BIG spender

• “Let them

eat cake”??

Multiple Choice

Why was Louie XVI a weak ruler?

• He was too powerful and made all the decisions.
• He had too many advisors and couldn't make up his mind.
• He lacked strong leadership skills and made poor decisions.
• He was too young and inexperienced to rule effectively.

Multiple Choice

Why did Marie Antoinette say, "Let them eat cake."

• Marie Antoinette said this to show her indifference towards the suffering of the people.
• Marie Antoinette said this to express her generosity and concern for the people.
• Marie Antoinette said this because she wanted the people to enjoy her birthday cake.

• Marie Antoinette said this to mock the rich.

Abbé Sieyès

What is the Third Estate?
Everything. What has it
been in the political order?
Nothing. What does it
desire to be? Something!

• Member of the

Estates General

• Inspires 3rd Estate

to seek power

The Estates General

• Type of

representation

• Rarely meet

• 1 vote per Estate

• 3rd Estate ALWAYS

outvoted

Multiple Choice

How did the Estates generals function?

• The Estates General functioned as a judicial body with representatives from the three estates.
• The Estates General functioned as a legislative body with representatives from the three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners.
• The Estates General functioned as a military body with representatives from the three estates.
• The Estates General functioned as an executive body with representatives from the three estates.

Multiple Choice

How were the estates generals unfair?

• The Estates General was dominated by the clergy and nobility.
• The voting system gave disproportionate power to the First and Second Estates.
• The voting system gave disproportionate power to the Third Estate.
• The Third Estate had no representation in the Estates General.

The National Assembly

• 1st & 2nd Estates Locked out of the Estates

General, 3rd Estate signs
the Tennis Court Oath

• Creates a National

Assembly

• Issue the Declaration of

the Rights of Man and of
the Citizen

Multiple Choice

What happened at the Tennis Court Oath?

• Members of the Third Estate declared their loyalty to the king.
• Members of the Third Estate disbanded and left the Tennis Court.
• Members of the Third Estate took an oath not to disband until a new constitution was established for France.
• Members of the Third Estate formed a new political party at the Tennis Court.

The Great Fear

• Peasants

riot
throughout France

• Nobles

homes
ransacked by the 3rd
Estate

Multiple Choice

What happened during the Great fear?

• The Great Fear was a period of panic and unrest during the French Revolution.
• The Great Fear was a celebration of peace and prosperity during the French Revolution.
• The Great Fear was a period of economic growth and stability during the French Revolution.
• The Great Fear was a military victory for the French Revolutionaries.

The Storming of the Bastille

• Prison in Paris &

symbol of royal
authority
stormed

• Starts the

revolution – July
14, 1789

Multiple Choice

Why was the Storming of the Bastille monumental?

• It was a celebration of the monarchy and the French Revolution.
• It had no significant impact on the French Revolution.
• It led to the establishment of a new monarchy in France.
• It marked the beginning of the French Revolution and symbolized the overthrow of the monarchy.

Women arm themselves and march on the Place of Versailles.

King Louie XVI and Mary Antoinette escape by carriage.
They were arrested in Varennes and returned to Paris.

Women's March on Versailles

Robespierre

• Begins the

Reign of Terror

• Mass

executions of
enemies of the
Revolution

• Thousands sent

to the guillotine

French Republic

• Declared by the new

National Convention

• Monarchy abolished

• All religious symbols

banned for a “Cult of
Reason”

Georges Danton

• Leads the

Committee of Public
Safety

• Designed to

suppress opposition
inside & outside
France

• Calls for the

execution of King
Louis

Multiple Choice

What happened during the Reign of Terror?

• Cultural renaissance and artistic flourishing
• Economic prosperity and social harmony
• Peaceful negotiations and diplomatic agreements
• Mass executions and political repression

Multiple Choice

How was religion handled during the Reign of terror?

• Religion was promoted and encouraged during the Reign of Terror.
• Religion was completely abolished during the Reign of Terror.
• Religion was allowed but heavily regulated during the Reign of Terror.
• Religion was suppressed and replaced with the Cult of Reason.