Name: ____________________________________ Causes of the French Revolution Document #1a
1) Based on document 1a, describe (tell about) the social class system in France in 1789
Document # 1b
2) Explain several (3) reasons why the third estate would be unhappy (not happy) with the French estate system. Document #2
3) Compare (same) and contrast (different) the Bourgeoisie and the peasantry.
4) Why (state the reason) might have the Bourgeoisie led the French Revolution rather than the peasantry? Document #3 “The French Revolution” Oxford Press
5) Explain two reasons why there were “bread riots.”
The Third Estate consisted of everyone who was not a member of either the First or Second Estates. It was composed of the bourgeoisie, the peasantry (poorer workersàdocument above) and the urban artisans. As a class, the bourgeoisie -‐ merchants, manufacturers, bankers, doctors, lawyers, intellectuals -‐ had wealth. But, wealth did not mean status or privilege. Wealth was nothing without power. 1789, the bourgeoisie felt frustrated (upset) and blocked by the aristocracy (the rich), whose only interest was that everyone maintain their place in society. By 1789, the bourgeoisie had numerous grievances (complaints) they wished addressed. They wanted all Church, army and government positions open to men of talent and merit. They sought a Parliament that would make all the laws for the nation. They desired a constitution that would limit the king's powers. They also desired fair trials, religious toleration and vast administrative reforms.
A series of crop failures caused a shortage of grain, raising the price of bread. Because bread was the main source of nutrition for poor peasants, this led to starvation. Contributing to the peasant unrest were conspiracy theories that the lack of food was a planned plot by the nobility. The two years previous to the revolution (1788–89) saw meager (small) harvests and harsh winters. The price of a loaf of bread rose by 67 percent in 1789 alone... Many peasants were relying on charity to survive, and they became increasingly motivated by their hunger. The 'bread riots' were the first manifestations (signs) of revolutionary sentiment.
Document #4
6) Describe France’s financial (monetary) problems.
Document #5
7) Describe the people’s opinion of the Queen, Marie Antoinette.
Document #6
8) How might the following groups respond to this statement by Rousseau a. 1st Estate -‐ b. 2nd Estate -‐ c. 3rd Estate -‐
Exit slip: Evaluate (review) which of the economic, social, and political problems in France influenced (persuaded) the people to rebel against their government the most.
At the age of 15, Marie Antoinette married the Crown Prince of France in order to strengthen the French monarchy's ties to Austria. In 1774, The Crown Prince of France became King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette became the Queen of France. Marie Antoinette was resented by the people of Paris because of her foreign birth and extravagant (wasteful) lifestyle. The peasants thought she was arrogant (self-‐centered) and Marie became the target (aim) of gossip (talk) and was accused of having affairs with both men and women. Marie appointed her friends to palace positions over more qualified people. All of this led to accusations of corruption and she was called the "Austrian Whore." The masses began using Marie Antoinette as a scapegoat for their frustration with the Monarchy. Unemployment and hunger were widespread among the peasants in France and they blamed the Queen for their problems. There were vicious (cruel or nasty) stories made up about Marie Antoinette by the common Parisians (people from Paris). One story was that she asked why the peasants were angry and a person answered "Because they have no bread" to which Marie Antoinette declared "LET THEM EAT CAKE!"
On the eve of the revolution, France was deeply indebted, so deeply as to be effectively bankrupt (broke-‐no money). Spending by Louis XIV on luxuries such as Versailles was compounded by heavy spending on the Seven Years War and the American War of Independence. Because of the successful defense by the nobles of their privileges, the king of France lacked the means to impose a "just and proportioned" tax. By 1787, the French government was bankrupt. It was 4000 million livres ($) in debt. France had spent a lot of money fighting costly wars, but had nothing to show for it. Many people accused the royals, especially Queen Marie-‐ Antoinette of spending too much money on luxuries. Others said that the tax system was corrupt (dishonest) and some tax-‐collectors did not hand all their taxes over to the government. In 1787 the King asked the nobility to help him reform the tax system. As we already know, members of the first and second estate did not have to pay some taxes. King Louis XVI wanted them to start paying some of them.
The People should have power, 1775.Man is born free. No man has any natural authority over others; force does not give anyone that right. The power to make laws belongs to the people and only to the people. -‐A pamphlet, banned by the French government in 1775, Jean Jacques Rousseau