French Revolution Flashcards
(40 cards)
Main Idea
Economic and social inequalities in the Old Regime helped cause the French Revolution
Relevance
Throughout history, economic and social inequalities have @ times led people to revolt against the govt
Three Estates
Clergy, Nobles, Bourgeoisie/Peasants
Bourgeoisie
middle class
How could a situation like the revolution’s beginning develop in such an advanced country?
concentration of power/wealth among few @ the expense of the majority
Why does the psych of a crowd change?
Anonymity, contagion
Anonymity
lose sense of moral responsibility and fear of consequences
Contagion
Entirely irrational act occurs as part of a crowd
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
physiological, safety needs, social needs, esteem needs, self-actualization
What does the hierarchy of needs say about the peasants?
They can never move up and are stagnant individually and in society bc their needs aren’t fulfilled
Why were the peasants angry?
Bc while the monarchy reigned in luxury, the peasants starved.
First Estate
Clergy loyal to pope + church. Owned 10% of land, high living standard, condemned enlightenment. 1.5% of population, 0% of taxes.
Second Estate
Hereditary or bought nobles (corruption.) Top jobs in army/govt/courts, traditional privileges. 0.5% of population, 0% of taxes. 25% of land.
Third Estate
Bourgeoisie/Peasants. 100% of taxes (on many things,) large number unemployed, urban workers earned miserable wages, forbidden to hunt. 65% of land, 98% of population.
Peasant population
90%
Bourgeoisie population
8%
Why is the fact that 3rd estate was forbidden to hunt significant?
Bc it was the king’s land, but now they couldn’t feed themselves without earning $.
What was the French Old Regime?
Outdated Middle Ages social system-everyone belonged to one of three classes. Tensions among the classes was major cause of FR.
How did the Enlightenment provide the spark to ignite discontent within the estates?
The Enlightenment ideas led them to question the Old Regime.
How was Marie Antoinette described? What was her quote when told the people could not eat?
“hated,” “let them eat cake.”
Comparison-3 estates to pyramid
King, clergy, nobility, peasants
What was the economic crisis?
deficit spending in palace, people starving
Why else were they starving (aside from hunting laws and economic crises?) (unfair q)
poor harvests and high bread prices, poor leadership
Describe Louis XVI
Bashful, hesitant, young, easily persuaded