French Revolution Flashcards
France during the 1700s
most advanced nation of Europe in 1700s
France’s economy in the 1700s
Trade and production on the rise; heavy taxes, profitable buisnesses were nearly impossible within France; cost of living was high
What did bad weather cause in France during the 1700s?
Bad harvests causing shortage of grain; price of bread doubled in 1789; people starved
What was France like for the average French person during the 1700s? Why?
Life was horrible for the average person. They had to pay high taxes, give up most of their money to the nobles and clergy, and they went through horirble harvests during that time. Prices and taxes were super high, as well as servere unrest as enlightenment ideas started getting popular.
Old regime
Of France (1700s)
France’s social & political system in the 1770s; notably had three large estates (social classes)
Estates
of France’s old regime
Social class divisions; divided into 3 estates, two privleged groups and one oppressed group
Estate relating to the Church
of the three estates
Roman Catholic Church clegy, ownded 10% land in France, provided education and relief to the poor
Estate relating to individuals close to the king
of the three estates
Rich nobles, ownded 20% of land and paid nearly no taxes, comprised of 2% of the population
Third estate
of the three estates
97% of the population, divided into 3 groups, had no privileges, paid very high taxes
Bougeoisie/middle class
of the third estate
not very poor (some had as much wealth as nobles), worked in high position jobs (e.g. banker, factory owner, merchants, etc.), highly taxed
Worker class
of the third estate
comprised of laborers or any low level job, piad low wages, very hard life/very poor
Peasants
of the third estate
80% of the population, hald their income was dues to nobles, tithes to the Church, and taxes to the king’s agents
What sparked the idea for revolution in France?
French king actually help make it happen
The American Revolution
Louis XVI
Horrible king; couldn’t stand official stuff; misappropriated funds; ignored the cries of enlightenment & revolution
Marie Antoinette
Horrible queen; from Austria, which the French hated, so very hated queen; poorly used funds, gambled and spent carelessly
