What was the long term cause of the French revolution?
Inequality between the three estates and French society
What two groups of people were driven to action against the King? Why?
Bourgeoisie and nobles; selfish and new enlightenment was happening; tried to change society
What was the more immediate cause of the revolution?
The collapse of the French economy
How did the French Revolution compare to the American Revolution?
French changed the government and society; it was more complex, violent, and radical
What are the reasons for the near collapse of the French government’s finances?
- three wars: Austrian succession, 7 years war, and American Revolution 2. Spent money on king’s luxuries
How did King Louis XVI respond to this crisis?
Called a meeting of the estates general (to raise taxes)
How did most members of the Third Estate want to fix the problems?
Wanted all estates to share the taxes; Louis said no to the “one man one vote”
How did the Third Estate respond when they were locked out?
Sneaked into a tennis court, made a constitution called The Tennis Court Oath
What saved them from the King’s forces?
The bastille
Describe the Great Fear.
Summer of great fear - uprising broke out across France - rumors of foreign invasion
How did the National Assembly react to this Fear? (2)
- abolish all legal privileges of the first and second estate, 2. adopted a declaration of the rights of men
How did Louis XVI react to the Great Fear, and the decrees of the National Assembly?
He stayed in Versailles and did nothing about it
What actions did the National Assembly take to control the Catholic Church in France?
Seized and sold church lands, removed church officials
How did the Constitution of 1791 change France’s government?
Made the monarchy limited, made legislative made laws and king has to accept them
Why did Austria and Prussia threaten France in late 1791?
They feared revolution would spread into their countries
What was the role of the Paris Commune in early 1792?
Challenge the legislative assembly, overthrow the monarchy, asked for national convention
