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The French Revolution

The French Revolution. CAUSES. The Old Regime ( Ancien Regime ). The “Ancien Regime” (Old Regime) – socio-political system which existed in most of Europe during the 18 th century Countries were ruled by absolutism – the monarch had absolute control over the government

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The French Revolution

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  1. The French Revolution CAUSES

  2. The Old Regime (Ancien Regime) • The “Ancien Regime” (Old Regime) – socio-political system which existed in most of Europe during the 18th century • Countries were ruled by absolutism – the monarch had absolute control over the government • Classes of people – privileged and unprivileged • Unprivileged people – paid taxes and treated badly • Privileged people – did not pay taxes and treated well

  3. Europe on the Eve of theFrench Revolution (1780s)

  4. The French Monarchy:1775 - 1793 Marie Antoinette & Louis XVI

  5. Royal Palace at Versailles

  6. Society under the Old Regime • In France, people were divided into three estates • First Estate • High-ranking members of the Church • Privileged class • Second Estate • Nobility • Privileged class • Third Estate • Everyone else – from peasants in the countryside to wealthy bourgeoisie merchants in the cities • Unprivileged class

  7. The Three Estates

  8. Powers of the King

  9. Philosophy of the French Revolution: The Enlightenment (Age of Reason) • Scientists during the Renaissance had discovered laws that govern the natural world • Enlightenment Intellectuals – philosophes – began to ask if natural laws might also apply to human beings • Particularly to human institutions such as governments • Philosophes were secular in thinking – they used reason and logic, rather than faith, religion, and superstition, to answer important questions • Used reason and logic to determine how governments are formed • Tried to figure out what logical, rational principles work to tie people to their governments • Questioned the divine right of kings

  10. Economic Conditions under theOld Regime • France’s economy was based primarily on agriculture • Peasant farmers paid most of the taxes • Poor harvests meant that peasants had trouble paying their regular taxes • Certainly could not afford to have their taxes raised • Bourgeoisie often managed to gather wealth • But were upset that they paid taxes while nobles did not

  11. France Is Bankrupt • Government deep in debt because of • Overspending (Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI living extravagantly in Versailles) • Losing the French and Indian War, or 7 Years War (1754 -1763) • Funding of the American Revolution (1776-1783) • Deficit spending – a government spending more money than it takes in from tax revenues • Privileged classes would not submit to being taxed

  12. Long-term Causes of the French Revolution

  13. Socio-Economic Data, 1789

  14. The French Urban Poor

  15. Financial Problemsin France, 1789 • Urban Commoner’sBudget: • Food 80% • Rent 25% • Tithe 10% • Taxes 35% • Clothing 20% • TOTAL 170% • King’s Budget: • Interest 50% • Army 25% • Versailles 25% • Coronation 10% • Loans 25% • Admin. 25% • TOTAL 160%

  16. Short-term Causes of the French Revolution

  17. Review Questions

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