French Revolution and 18th Century French Society

Overview

Learning Objectives

• Understand and describe 18th-century French society.
• Elaborate on the discontent in 18th-century French society.
• Describe the causes of the outbreak of the revolution.
• Explain how France abolished the monarchy to become a republic.
• Detail the beginning and end of the Reign of Terror.
• Discuss the impact of the revolution on women.
• Describe the events leading to the abolition of slavery in France.
• Explain the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte.

18th Century French Society

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

• Ascended the throne in 1774.
• Inherited an empty treasury.
• Large debts due to prolonged wars.
• Increased taxes to cover state expenses.

Division of Estates

• First Estate: Clergy with special church duties.
• Second Estate: Nobility, privileged by birth.
• Third Estate: Commoners (divided into three sub-categories)
  • Wealthy businessmen, merchants, court officials.
  • Poorer peasants and artisans.
  • Landless peasants, laborers, and servants (paid all taxes).
• Church collected a tax called