Chapter 1: Causes of The French Revolution

Cause #1: Urban Poverty

The 3rd estate was in deep poverty. They also made up 98% of the population. That's a lot of poor people!

Cause #2: Burden of Debt

On top of being poor, the 3rd estate was being taxed heavily while the other estates were not taxed and the system was unfair and just plain evil.

Cause #3: Failed Attempts to Reform the Tax System

Since the 3rd estate was being taxed so harshly, they decided to go and change the laws so that they weren't treated so bad and unfairly. A group of representatives met with the government at the Estates General meeting but stood no chance against the other two estates.

Cause #4: Bad Crop Harvests

Bad crop harvests meant that the members of the 3rd estate didn't have food or a means to make money. Since the government did not support them, they were really fed up.

Cause #5: The National Assembly

The 3rd estate created a constitution. They met at a nearby tennis court and pledged not to leave until the king agreed to meet their demands. (tennis court oath)

Cause #6: 3rd Estates Lack of Rights

Without proper human rights, the Artisans, Bourgeoisie and Laborers that made up the 3rd estate couldn't represent themselves in government or rely on the King to take care of them.

Cause #7: The Kings Wrongful Spending

While Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette bought extravagant jewelry and used the water supply on powering the fountains at Versailles, people of the 3rd estate starved and struggled to stay alive day-by-day.

Chapter 2: The Social Hierarchy

1st Estate: 0.5% of the population

                    -Privileges: Complete control over the church and could even tax people in the form of "tithes". The Clergy also did not have to pay taxes and could hold positions in office.

2nd Estate: 1.5% of the population

                    -Privileges: Complete control of the country and they did not have to pay taxes. Also, people of this class could hold positions of authority.

3rd Estate: 98% of the the population

                     -Privileges: None

1st Estate

2nd Estate

3rd Estate

-This cartoon symbo-

lizes the way the 3rd 

estate was treated,

and how they were 

the force that kept the

other est-

ates functioning

chapter 3: The Estates General

The Estates General Meeting

   Date: May 5th, 1789

   Reason for meeting: The 3rd estate wanted to repair the financial/tax system that was broken and unfair.

    -The Estates General changed their name to the National Assembly because the Estates General was shot down by the king.

Chapter 4: The Tennis Court Oath

Tennis Court Oath

-After the Estates general failed, members of the 3rd estate moved to a nearby tennis court to carry out discussions.

     Goals: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity in France

The Declaration of The Rights of Man

  -While on the tennis court, the National Assembly created the Declaration of The Rights of Man. It guaranteed that all men would be equal, peoples natural rights would be protected, everyone should have the same job opportunity, Liberty, Property, Safety and Resistance to Oppression.

Chapter 5: The Revolution Begins-   Storming of The Bastille

Storming of The Bastille

    -On July 14th, 1789, 300+ members of the 3rd Estate gathered and formed a mob to overtake one of the King's prisons where people were being wrongfully imprisoned. The group of rioters attacked The Bastille and liberated 7 prisoners and took gunpowder. They chose that prison because it represented Louis XVI's wrongful doing. By taking The Bastille, they initiated the French Revolution and the first shots fired during this period.

-This important event

marked the official 

beginning of the French

Revolution and the first

shots fired

The New Constitution (1789-1791)

     -This constitution is another great achievement of the revolutionist. It established Habeas Corpus and abolished the feudal system and limited King Louis XVI's power. After it was written by the National Assembly, France became a Constitutional Monarchy.

Chapter 6: The King and the Revolution

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

King Louis XVI Rule

     -From 1754-1793 Louis' rule can be described as absolute, dictatorial, unfair and extravagant. He and his wife Marie were part of a broken and unjust system of ruling that lasted too long.

     "The power to make laws belongs only to me" -King Louis XVI

Versailles

Chapter 7: Women's March on Versailles