● CHAPTER
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
Background
● Economic Troubles: France was in deep debt due to excessive spending by King
Louis XVI and his predecessors, as well as involvement in costly wars like the
American Revolution.
● Social Inequality: French society was divided into three estates:
1. First Estate: Clergy
2. Second Estate: Nobility
3. Third Estate: Commoners (including bourgeoisie, workers, and peasants). The
Third Estate was heavily taxed and had little political power.
Key Events
● Estates-General (1789): King Louis XVI called a meeting of the Estates-General (a
rare assembly representing all three estates) to address the financial crisis. The
Third Estate demanded more representation and a fair voting system.
● National Assembly: The Third Estate broke away and formed the National
Assembly, vowing to create a new constitution for France.
● Tennis Court Oath (June 1789): Members of the National Assembly swore not to
disband until a new constitution was written.
● Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789): Revolutionaries stormed the Bastille
prison, a symbol of royal tyranny. This event is celebrated as the start of the
revolution.
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
Background
● Economic Troubles: France was in deep debt due to excessive spending by King
Louis XVI and his predecessors, as well as involvement in costly wars like the
American Revolution.
● Social Inequality: French society was divided into three estates:
1. First Estate: Clergy
2. Second Estate: Nobility
3. Third Estate: Commoners (including bourgeoisie, workers, and peasants). The
Third Estate was heavily taxed and had little political power.
Key Events
● Estates-General (1789): King Louis XVI called a meeting of the Estates-General (a
rare assembly representing all three estates) to address the financial crisis. The
Third Estate demanded more representation and a fair voting system.
● National Assembly: The Third Estate broke away and formed the National
Assembly, vowing to create a new constitution for France.
● Tennis Court Oath (June 1789): Members of the National Assembly swore not to
disband until a new constitution was written.
● Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789): Revolutionaries stormed the Bastille
prison, a symbol of royal tyranny. This event is celebrated as the start of the
revolution.
