The Old Regime
The Old Regime was the social and political system in France in the 1770's. Under the Old Regime, the people of France were split into 3 social classes called Estates.
Only the first two estates had access to high offices and exemptions from taxes, while the third didn't have any of these privileges.
- 1st Estate was made up of the clergy of The Roman Catholic Church. Owned 10% of land in France. Made up 1% of France's population.
- 2nd Estate was made up of rich nobles. Nobles owned 20% of land in France and made up 2% of its population. They paid almost no taxes.
- 3rd Estate was the last 97% of France's population. This estate was split into 3 groups of its own. The Bourgeoisie (middle class), who were bankers, factory owners, merchants, professionals, and skilled artisans. This group paid very high taxes. The next were the city workers of France. This was the poorest of the 3 smaller groups. The 3rd group were the urban workers, which included tradespeople, apprentices, laborers, and domestic servants.
Only the first two estates had access to high offices and exemptions from taxes, while the third didn't have any of these privileges.
Causes of the French Revolution
In 1789 France was one of the richest and most powerful nations in Europe. But that all changed when Louis XIV took over as king. Many factors led to the French Revolution:
Ultimately Louis XVI was imprisoned, trialed, and sentenced to death for his unacceptable way of ruling France
- Inefficient rule of Louis XIV. Nobody liked Louis XVI or his wife Marie Antoinette, and he was heading France in the wrong direction fast.
- The rise of Enlightenment ideal. People in France had the example of the American Revolution, and thought that these ideas may work for their country too.
- Frances debt. France was falling into an unimaginable debt because the such a high taxation rate.
- Food was becoming more and more scarce in France. This was caused some part by failing crops.
Ultimately Louis XVI was imprisoned, trialed, and sentenced to death for his unacceptable way of ruling France