French Rev- Causes &a Social Hierarchy

Question 1

Causes of the French Rev:

Answer 1

• Financial difficulties
• King Louis was indecisive when the people wanted immediate change
• Ideas from the rev & enlightenment were rising-equality, natural born freedoms, jean Jacques rousseau, fair gov’t
• 3rd estate members were angry

Question 2

What were the financial difficulties/anger derived from?

Answer 2

• Nobility spent too much and borrowed too much-on pleasures and Wars–bankrupt
• Only the 3rd estate members had to pay taxes and tithes
• Bad Harvest-little flour was produced–food was scarce

Question 3

The 1st Estate Members:

Answer 3

• made up of clergy
• had 10% of land
• 1% of population
• payed no taxes
• had right to hunt and carry weapons

Question 4

2nd Estate Members:

Answer 4

• made up of military, govt, nobles
• 2% of population
• 20% of land
• no taxes
• could hunt & bear arms

Question 5

3rd estate members:

Answer 5

-97% of population
-Payed all taxes and tithes
-could not bear arms or hunt
WERE NOT HAPPY W/ GOV

• Bourgeousie (middle class educated business owners)
• Sans culottes (artisans-craftsman)
• Both were slightly higher up