French Revolution (jul 25, 1789 – jul 25, 1799)

Description:

Conditions in France in the 1700s: seems great on the outside

- most advanced country in Europe
- large population
- prosperous foreign trade
- center for the Enlightenment

Peasant unrest

- caused by bad harvests: not enough food for the large population
- high prices & high taxes
- disturbing questions raised by the Enlightenment ideas of Locke, Rousseau, etc.



The "Old Regime"

Social & political system of France

3 large social classes: Estates


1st Estate: Clergy (Roman Catholic Church)
- 1% of population
- paid 2% taxes to government: wealthy & little taxes
- owned 10% of French land
- provided education/relief services to the poor
- did not like Enlightenment ideas


2nd Estate: Rich Nobility
- 2% of population
- paid no taxes: because they were close to the king
- owned 20% of French land
- most did not like Enlightenment ideas (a few did)


3rd Estate: 3 groups- WANTS CHANGE

1st group: Bourgeoisie (middle class)
- well educated: believe in Enlightenment ideas
- many were rich but had to pay taxes and had no privileges

2nd group: Workers
- frequently out of work
- low wages
- suffer from hunger

3rd group: Peasants
- 1/2 of income went to nobles, taxes
- "taxed to death"

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