world studies. review: what is a monarchy? power is in the hands of a single person (monarch/king or...
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Monarchy and the French Revolution
World Studies
Review: what is a monarchy?Power is in the hands of a single person
(monarch/King or Queen)Absolute monarchy- ruler has total controlLimited monarchy- some restrictions placed
upon monarch. Power is hereditary, passed through
bloodlines. Most believed in divine right, or that their
power came from God.
Monarchy in EuropeDuring the Middle Ages, power was in the
hands of many small lords who each controlled a relatively small area.
By the 1500’s, monarchs began to consolidate power, controlling larger areas of land and more people.
Great Britain, France, and Spain all had various forms of monarchy during this time period.
FranceA case study of
France will provide us with an excellent example of the excess of monarchy and a revolution against it.
The French MonarchyFor hundreds of years France was an
absolute monarchy.During the 1770’s, France was ruled by King
Louis XVI (16th) and Queen Marie Antoinette.They live at the palace of Versailles, about 15
miles outside of Paris (away from the “common” people)
Both were out of touch with the needs and struggles of the French people.
Marie and Louis
Versailles
France before the RevolutionOutside of the monarchy, everyone in France
belonged to one of three classes (aka Estates.)
1st Estate=Clergy (1% of population, paid no tax)
2nd Estate=Nobles (2%, paid no tax)3rd Estate=everyone else (97%, paid all taxes)
The 3rd EstateMade up of three main partsBourgeoisie- Middle class professionals,
usually well- educated, did not have same opportunities as nobles.
Peasants- rural farmers.Urban workers- poorest of the poor.All of these groups were unhappy with the
inequality and uncertainty of life.
France in debt…why?1. Government is spending more $$$ than it
takes in (palaces, wars)2. Poor harvests=no wheat=no flour=no
bread=the poor begin to starve!3. The wealthy(1st and 2nd Estates) pay no
taxes!This economic crisis takes it biggest toll on
the 3rd Estate, specifically the poor!
CartoonWhich person
represents which estate?
This leads to…REVOLUTION!!!!
The Estates General Louis XVI called the Estates General into session because he needed
money to solve France’s financial problems. Usually each estate got one vote each. The First and Second Estates
usually voted together making the Third Estates vote useless. This time however, the Third Estate said no to the traditional method
of voting. The Third Estate demanded that each deputy (representative) get one
vote each. The King refused and the Third Estate declared itself to be the
National Assembly. In a tennis court, they pledged to create a constitution for the nation.
The Revolution Begins!July 14th, 1789An angry Parisian mob gathers outside of
the Bastille, on old fortress used as a prison.
The prison guard opens fire on the mob but eventually they enter the prison, kills the guards, and free the prisoners.
This is regarded as the first action of the French Revolution!
The Tennis Court Oath
The Storming of the Bastille
The Rise of the 3rd Estate
Outcomes of the French Revolution