The French RevolutionThe French Revolution

End of AbsolutismEnd of Absolutism

ProblemsProblems

They needed to maintain an army They needed to maintain an army and a navyand a navy

The Monarchy was only getting a The Monarchy was only getting a fraction of the taxes collectedfraction of the taxes collected

Growing national debtGrowing national debt Rigid social structureRigid social structure Growing discontent with the Growing discontent with the

inequalities of the systeminequalities of the system

Living ConditionsLiving Conditions

The peasants were starvingThe peasants were starving People worked hard and lost most of People worked hard and lost most of

their gains in taxes their gains in taxes

Three EstatesThree Estates

The first estate - Roman Catholic The first estate - Roman Catholic clergy and it had great powerclergy and it had great power

The Second Estate - Hereditary The Second Estate - Hereditary aristocracy and different classes of aristocracy and different classes of NoblesNobles

The third estate - Everyone else, The third estate - Everyone else, almost 98% of the populationalmost 98% of the population

Tax CrisisTax Crisis

The tax system was not effective in The tax system was not effective in taxing all members of societytaxing all members of society

The “tax farmers” were allowed to The “tax farmers” were allowed to keep whatever they collected above a keep whatever they collected above a set rate for the monarchyset rate for the monarchy

Tax exemptions granted to 1st and Tax exemptions granted to 1st and 2nd Estates made it difficult to meet 2nd Estates made it difficult to meet needsneeds

Social tensions were created by the Social tensions were created by the inequality of the systeminequality of the system

Third Estate DilemmaThird Estate Dilemma

First and Second Estate each had First and Second Estate each had 300 members. Third Estate had 600300 members. Third Estate had 600

Each estate voted amongst itself for Each estate voted amongst itself for a consensus votea consensus vote

Each estate voted as one entity with Each estate voted as one entity with one voteone vote

Third estate always lost by a vote of Third estate always lost by a vote of 2 to 12 to 1

Louis XVI’s Unpopular ChoicesLouis XVI’s Unpopular Choices

Assembly Hall lockoutAssembly Hall lockout Firing of Jacques NeckerFiring of Jacques Necker

Fall of the BastilleFall of the Bastille

General population is now behind the General population is now behind the revolutionrevolution

Peasants stopped paying taxesPeasants stopped paying taxes Bourgeoisie assumed leadership of Bourgeoisie assumed leadership of

revolution and counted on peasant revolution and counted on peasant supportsupport

Peasants had their own ideasPeasants had their own ideas

Revolution – The Revolution – The Moderate PhaseModerate Phase

““The Declaration of the Rights of The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizens”Man and of Citizens”

Equal rightsEqual rights Respect for Liberty, property, security and Respect for Liberty, property, security and

resistance to oppressionresistance to oppression The Sovereignty of the NationThe Sovereignty of the Nation Political LibertyPolitical Liberty Equal JusticeEqual Justice Government by Rousseau’s General WillGovernment by Rousseau’s General Will Freedom of speechFreedom of speech Participation in the governmentParticipation in the government

The Constitution of 1791The Constitution of 1791

Constitutional Monarchy with the King as Constitutional Monarchy with the King as Head of the Executive BranchHead of the Executive Branch

King had veto power over actions of the King had veto power over actions of the Legislative AssemblyLegislative Assembly

Legislative Assembly controlled Legislative Assembly controlled appointment and dismissal of Ministers of appointment and dismissal of Ministers of the Crownthe Crown

General population voted for a college of General population voted for a college of electorselectors

Electors chose members of the assemblyElectors chose members of the assembly

Constitution of 1791Constitution of 1791

Positions of responsibility were open Positions of responsibility were open to all citizens regardless of birthto all citizens regardless of birth

All citizens would be taxed equally All citizens would be taxed equally according to their ability to payaccording to their ability to pay

Justice system would apply equally to Justice system would apply equally to everyoneeveryone

Freedom of expression, assembly Freedom of expression, assembly and religion would be guaranteedand religion would be guaranteed

Who Could Vote?Who Could Vote?

““Active Citizens” Active Citizens” French males at least 25 years old French males at least 25 years old

who could pay taxes equal to the who could pay taxes equal to the value of three days work, and who value of three days work, and who were not servants. This restricted were not servants. This restricted many people from voting many people from voting

ProblemsProblems

This government did little to help the This government did little to help the poor of the country. While the poor of the country. While the powers of the Church and Monarchy powers of the Church and Monarchy were reduced, the gains were only were reduced, the gains were only seen by the middle classes and the seen by the middle classes and the poor were not seeing any beneficial poor were not seeing any beneficial changechange