Stages of the Revolution (1-3)
Stage 1 - Normal
This is the person or group in power before the revolution takes place. The regime that gained power through traditional means. - The Old Regime – society before the revolution was basically divided into three estates based on class and rank. 1. Church – clergy which owned 10% of the land, paid no tax 2. Nobles – 2% of the population, owned 20% of the land, 70% of wealth 3. Third Estate – everyone else - King Louis XVI was seen a a gift from god and ruled above all. He came from a long line of royals and inherited the throne at the young age of 20. Stage 3 - Widespread Dissatisfaction
When a large portion of the population jumps on the bandwagon and criticises the person or group in power - Various events triggered the anger of the french citizens King Louis XIV - died in 1715 and left france with a huge debt after fighting numerous wars and building his grand palace the VersaillesKing Louis XV - was luxuriously self-indulgent and didn't care for the country King Louis XVI - A careless, spendthrift who didn't know how to rule a country He lived an extremely extravagant life and didn't care about the citizens at all. 1788 - There was a series of successive crop failures and the food prices began to double rapidly. - The monarchy believed that this was a sign of god and that they had to be put in place, leading to raising of taxes 1789 - Louis tried to tax the nobles He calls the first Estates General (their congress) since 1607 Intellectuals from around France flock to the Estates General The first and second estates dominated the talks, were given an uneven vote and advantage The third estate urges reform, relief for the poor, and an equal voice After weeks of arguing, the Third Estate leaves the talks and convenes on the King’sTennis court. The Movement Begins: The Tennis Court Oath – a vow to save France from her ruin - Conservatives gather on the right, liberals on the left - They call themselves “The National Assembly” and start making laws in the name of the french people Bastille day July 14, 1789 - Random riots throughout the streets of Paris - A mob showed up at the King’s prison (la Bastille), looking for guns - Word of the success caused riots in other cities In the country side , landlords were attacked by peasants: - Food stores were looted. |
Stage 2 - Criticism of Existing Regime
When intellectuals begin to publicly criticise the regime in power. It can be spoken or written criticism. - The Enlightenments was a movement of intellectuals who promoted the use of reason and science - They began to question the hierarchy - Revolutionary Ideas began to spread to the public. Bastille Day
Bastille Day
Tennis Court Oath
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©2014 Cecilia Ho