Revolution Begins and The Estates General

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Revolution Begins and The Estates General

• Riots in the Streets and Prisons
• Pages 72 to 74
• Notes 4

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Revolution Begins

• Financial Crisis
• By the time of Louis XVI and his wife Marie had
  come to power (after Louis XIV), France was
  almost bankrupt
• French people were beginning to riot
• many bourgeoisie and philosophers making
  comparisons to the freedoms of Britain and newly
  independent U.S.
• economy worsened, famine occurred
• King tried to control his people by imprisoning
  or even killing them
• King Louis XVI called Estates General to session
  in attempt to solve France problems

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B. The Estates General

• The Estates General a quasi-parliament
• sat (met) only when the King wanted
• last time was over a hundred years ago in 1614!
• Estates General divided into 3 blocs or groups
• The Clergy (First Estate)
• Aristocrats (Second Estate)
• Bourgeoisie, workers, poor (Third Estate)
• Each bloc had only vote.
• Aristocrats and Clergy interests often same
  (keeping status quo)
• Bourgeoisie often out voted 2-1
• Louis XVI had little interest in what Estates had
  to say since he was the absolute monarch

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