french revolution

3.  The society of 18th century was divided into 3 classes which
were known as 3 estates:-
1stestate
2ndestate
3rdestate
FRENCH SOCIETY

4. • 1st estate was the
clergy who were
engaged in church to
perform various
religious rites and
duities. They enjoyed
certain privileges by
birth that was
exemption from
paying taxes to the
states.
1st ESTATE

5. • The 2nd estate was the
nobility, big aritiscrate
and landlord who
controlled high
administrative post
and owned large
holidings, they were
considered above the
law and paid no taxes
to the court.
2nd Estate

6. • 3rd estate was the
unprivileged classes
included peasants,
artisans and the middle
class people like teacher,
doctor etc. They had no
political right and the
burden was of financing
activities of the state
through taxes was born
by third estate alone.
3rd Estate

7. Ideas of Philosophers
• Philosopher like John Locke and Jean
Jaques Rosceau believed that no group
society should be privileged by birth
They refute the doctrine of divine and
absolute right of Monarch.
• A persons social position must
depend on their merit. This idea
enabled a society based on freedom
and equal laws and opportunities for
all.

8. Causes of French Revolution

9. POLITICAL CAUSE
• Emperor Louis XVI of France was an
empty headed and despotic ruler.
• Marie Antointe squnderded money
on her luxurious life and wasteful
festivals.
• The high post were often auctioned, so
inefficiency reigned supreme.
• In the absence of any uniform system
there was confusion all around.
• The whole administration was
corrupt and each department had its
own law.

10. SOCIAL CAUSE
• The Clergy and Nobles led a
life of luxury and enjoyed
numerous privileges.
• The peasants and the
workers lived a wretched life.
• They groaned under heavy
taxes and forced labour.
• The middle class comprising
of lawyers, doctors etc also
suffer from same
humiliation of the hands of
Clergy and Nobles

11. • French has been continuously
involved in wars, which has broken
her economy.
• The luxurious life led by the king
and queen made matter worst.
• The common people groaned
under heavy taxes.
• The economy became so bad that
the French government reach the
state of bank corrupcy
• Thus shattered economy of French
was a major cause of revolution.
ECONOMIC CAUSE

12. • Forced by financial ban courrupcy
Emperor Louis xvi was compelled
to call a meeting of Estate General.
In 1789 AD after of 175 years.
• It generated much excitement as
members of the third Estate were
determined to put forth there
problems.
• But when first two Estate refused
to have a common meeting with
the third Estate the people lost
their temper.
IMMEDIATE CAUSE

13. FRANCE BECOMES A REPUBLIC

14. • On the morning of August 10
Parisians stormed the Palace of
the Tuileries, massacred the
king’s guard and held the king
himself hostage for several
hours.
• Later the Assembly voted to
imprison the royal family. Elections
were held now. Now all men above
21 years of age, regardless of wealth,
got the right to vote.

15. • Elections were held. From
now all men above 20
years , regardless of
wealth got the right to
vote. T he newly elected
assembly was called
convention.
• On 21st September 1792 it
abolished monarch and
declared France a
Republic.

16. REIGN OF TERROR

17. • The period from 1793-1794 is referred as reign of
terror.
• Robespierre followed a policy of severe control
and punishment.
• All those whom he saw as being enemies of the
republic-ex nobles, clergy, members of other
political party even members of his own party
who did not agree with his method were arrested
and imprisoned.
• If the courts found them guilty they were
guillotined.

18. NAPOLEAN BONAPARTE

19. • Napoleon was born in 1769A.D. He
was a man of miraculous talent. He
was educated in the military school
of Berlin and Paris.
• He became the first council of the
directory. After few years in 1804A.D
he became the emperor of France.
• He regenerated France on the basis
of the principle of equality and set
up a classless society.
• He was not only a great conqueror
but also an able administrative
organiser and a great leader.

20.  On 1804 Napoleon becomes emperor
of France, annexes large parts of
Europe.
 On 1815 Napoleon defeated at
Waterloo.