Social ClassesSocial Classes First Estate - Roman Catholic Church, less than 1% Second Estate - Rich Nobles, about 1% 1 st and 2 nd estates had.

French Revolution

Social Classes

First Estate - Roman Catholic Church, less than 1%

Second Estate - Rich Nobles, about 1%

1st and 2nd estates had the power

Third Estate - 98 % of the population Bourgeoisie - educated, merchants and

artisans Peasants, servants

Forces of Change

Enlightenment Ideas Liberty, Equality, and democracy

Economic Problems High Taxes Food Shortage Spending

Weak Leader Louis XVI Marie Antoinette

Revolution Dawns

National Assembly Third Estate Laws for the people by the people Tennis Court Oath

Storming the Bastille July 14th, 1789 Paris prison Attempt to secure weapons

National Assembly

Declaration of the Rights of Man Equality, freedom of speech, freedom of

religion

State controlled church Lost lands and power

Limited Monarchy Most of the kings power stripped Legislative Assembly - create laws, approve

wars

King Louis XVI

June 1791 Attempted escape from France to Netherlands

September 21st, 1792 Abolished the monarchy, established a republic Male adults could vote King made a prisoner

January 21st, 1793 Beheaded by the guillotine