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The French Revolution - Phase I

World History

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Seeds of Conflict

  • French Social Structure
    • ALL people belonged to 1 of 3 Estates
      • 1st Estate = Catholic Clergy
      • 2nd Estate = Nobility
      • 3rd Estate = EVERYONE else!
        • Bourgeoisie
        • Middle/Lower Classes

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  • Which one of these Estates was the largest?
    • 3rd Estate (98% of population)
  • Which one of these Estates paid all the taxes and no say in government?
    • 3rd Estate

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Enough Is Enough - June 23, 1789 - Tennis Court Oath/Creation of National Assembly

*Remember your long term and short term causes* ← People were fed up!

How did it all start?

    • After the Third Estate’s suggestion, that the Estates General vote should be counted by population, was denied by King Louis XVI the leaders of the Third Estate left the Estates General and declared themselves the National Assembly and the true representatives of the people of France. When the Third Estate was locked out of the hall they planned to meet in by King Louis XVI they then met on a nearby tennis court, leading to - Tennis Court Oath - "never separate and... to establish a sound and just constitution." Leaders of the 3rd Estate rebel against the Estates General
      • The delegates then invited members from the First and Second Estates to join them. Some progressive members of the First and Second Estates agreed to meet with the National Assembly.
      • National Assembly - All 3 Estates agree to meet and draw up a “liberal” constitution

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Enough Is Enough - July 14, 1789 - Storming of the Bastille

  • King Louis XIV feared revolution so he sent in the troops to stop meeting
  • National Assembly decides to defend its right to meet
      • What does it need?
        • Weapons!

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The Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789)

    • Bastille = Prison & weapons depot
    • National Assembly takes it over, releases prisoners, takes weapons, & burns it down
    • This is the “spark” that started the French Revolution

Click picture to get a recap video

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National Assembly Forms a New Government

  • Declaration of the Rights of Man
    • Based on the American Declaration of Independence
    • Built on the ideas of Enlightenment thinkers
    • Guaranteed many rights (speech, press, etc.)

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  • Constitution of 1791
    • Set up a Constitutional Monarchy in France
    • King Louis XIV was forced to agree
      • How?
    • NOTE: The King was still in charge! Why?

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National Assembly Forms a New Government

  • Declaration of the Rights of Man
    • Based on the American Declaration of Independence
    • Built on the ideas of Enlightenment thinkers
    • Guaranteed many rights (speech, press, etc.)

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  • Constitution of 1791
    • Set up a Constitutional Monarchy in France
    • King Louis XIV was forced to agree
      • How?
    • NOTE: The King was still in charge! Why?

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It Could Be Over But Louis Is Dumb

  • The “Flight of Louis”
    • Louis didn’t want to accept new government
    • Tried to run to Austria to raise an army
      • Was caught and put on trial for treason
    • Found guilty and sentenced to death by guillotine

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  • What Now?
    • France becomes a Republic
      • Representative democracy with no King