This presentation focuses on the background to the revolution up to the uprisings in the various colonies.

1. CH 21: The Revolution in Politics (1775-1815) AP European History Magister Ricard

2. Questions to Consider What was the main cause of the financial crisis in France? What was the plan to solve the financial crisis? What is the National Assembly and what was the kings response to it? Why and when did the Parisians storm the Bastille? How did Parisian women further the revolution?

3. Background to Revolution CH 21: The Revolution in Politics (1775-1815)

4. Legal Orders and Social Change France’s population was divided into three orders or estates Those who pray – clergy (1st Estate) Those who fight – nobility (2nd Estate) Those who work – everyone else (3rd Estate) Growing tensions between nobility and bourgeoisie help shape events leading to revolution Bourgeoisie felt they were not peasants and should have privileges like 2nd Estate But there are other influences that new research brings to light

5. The Crisis of Political Legitimacy A century of political and fiscal struggle precedes the revolution Between 1715-1723, institutions regain power they lost under Louis XIV Efforts to impose new taxes after the War of Austrian Succession were opposed by Parlement of Paris Louis XV official Rene de Maupeou led a royal backlash against the parlements, charges of “loyal despotism” Scandalous pamphlets contributed to desacralization of monarchy

6. The Impact of the American Revolution England defeats France in Seven Years’ War, desires to increase taxes to pay for war American colonists oppose tax increases Dispute over taxation and representation flare up during 1760’s-1770’s Colonies moved toward open rebellion and a declaration of independence starting in 1775 French support colonists against foe England In 1783 the American Revolution ended with the Treaty of Paris Europeans became fascinated by the American Revolution Inspired French intellectuals France saw Britain defeated, humbled, but itself fiscally drained

7. Financial Crisis By 1780s half of France’s budget went towards paying interest on national debt Could not survive a declaration of bankruptcy France had no national bank, could not print money to cover its own debt Had to reform tax system to bring increased revenue King convened Assembly of Notable to gain support for new taxes Assembly refused to support new taxes, dismissed the king King established taxes by decree Negative reaction forced king to call meeting of Estates General

8. Revolution in Metropole and Colony (1789-1791) CH 21: The Revolution in Politics (1775-1815)

9. The Formation of the National Assembly Prior to the meeting of the Estates General, a list of grievances were compiled Featured considerable popular participation Intense debate forced the Third Estate to leave the assembly of Estates General Declared itself the National Assembly in June 1789 Louis XVI’s response was “nothing”

10. The Revolt of the Poor and Oppressed Bad harvests lead to starvation, hunger, and unemployment Poor protested to prevent dismissal of king’s finance minister July 13, 1789 the Bastille was stormed, destroyed Peasant uprisings resulted in the Great Fear Gave National Assembly credibility, abolished feudal dues and other peasant obligations (August 1789)

11. A Limited Monarchy August 1789, National Assembly issues a Declaration of the Rights of Man “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights” Several thousand women rush Versailles and force king and royal family to move to Paris National Assembly creates a constitutional monarchy A new constitution would go into effect in 1791 Peasants react negatively to National Assembly’s attempt to increase state control over Catholic Church

12. Revolutionary Aspirations in Saint-Domingue Slaves majority of population in Saint-Domingue Free population was divided by color and wealth Turmoil of the 1780s challenged the status quo National Assembly sides with white planters Each colony gets right to draft its own constitution July 1790, Vincent Oge leads a failed attempt to rebel against colonial authorities Compromises proposed by National Assembly failed to satisfy the contradictory ambitions in the colonies

13. Questions to Consider What was the main cause of the financial crisis in France? What was the plan to solve the financial crisis? What is the National Assembly and what was the kings response to it? Why and when did the Parisians storm the Bastille? How did Parisian women further the revolution?