1. ROOTS OF FRENCH REVOLUTION
The First Estate
• Less than 1% of population
(Clergy)
• Owned 15% of land in France
• Did not have to pay taxes but
made $ off taxing the people

2. The Second Estate
• less than 2% of population
• Highest positions in army
and govt.
• Paid little if any taxes
• Enlightenment threatened
their status

3. The Third Estate
• 97% of population
• The Bourgeoisie (urban class) were
“leaders” of Third Estate
• Bourgeoisie paid high taxes and wanted
political power
• 3 other “groups” (poor, city
workers, peasants)
• Paid heavy taxes, rented land, and paid
tithe
• No voice in government

5. Meeting of Estates-General (all 3 estates)
Let each delegate have one vote not one vote per estate
National Assembly is attempt for 3rd estate to pass laws for France
This was 1st act of French Revolution

6. Tennis Court Oath- 3rd Estate was locked out of meetings and broke
down door and stayed at indoor tennis court
Storming the Bastille-Louis was trying to make peace with 3rd
Estate, rumors made mob storm Bastille July 14, 1789
Great Fear
Declaration of the Rights of Man-Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

7. In June of 1791, Louis XVI tries to make a run
for it.
The royal family traded clothes with some
servants and almost made it out of France
before they were captured and returned to
Paris.
It seems that Louis was recognized by his
picture on money.
It also seems that that they were traveling in
the royal carriage with the royal seal on the
side. I can’t imagine how he was captured.

8. The crowd cheered seeing Citizen Louis (or
Louis le dernier to some) being led to the
scaffold.
For his part, Louis held himself with a great
deal of courage and dignity. His last words
were, “I am innocent and shall die without
fear”
His head was held up for the crowd which was
silent at first, then they cheered and rushed in
to dip handkerchiefs in his blood.
Louis XVI was executed on Jan 21, 1793, by
the guillotine.