THE FRENCH

REVOLUTION
SOCIALS 9
 • REMINDER –
Agenda – PAMPHLETS ARE
January OVERDUE.
• Revolution Discussion
16 2021
th
Questions
• Distinguishing France
From America
• Exploring French
Society
REVOLUTION
Can you think of some
recent or modern
examples of
revolutions?
 Does a
revolution have
to be violent?
What makes a revolution?
• If a revolution was a cake, what would the recipe
look like?
• How long would the prep time be: Five, ten, fifty years?
• What about the ingredients: a harsh ruler, lack of
freedom, poverty?
• What would the directions look like?
• Create a recipe card that reflects your answers to the
question above
Rebellion vs Revolution
• Rebellion – seeks to oppose, resist, or defy a
current government with the hope of change in
actions

• Revolution – seeks to completely overthrow and

recreate a government
 America vs. France
• France was a different place from
Colonial America. While America was
in the ”New World” France was very
much a country still in the middle ages
• Its ruler was was an Absolute
Monarch – meaning the King made all
the decisions and rules on his own.
• Its population was mainly rural and
poor – most were farmers
America vs. France
• Whereas Britain had a parliament,
France did not
• France was deeply catholic, and
they believed in the Divine Right
Theory – God had chosen the King
• They so firmly believed this that
their king, King Louis XIV (14th)
called himself The Sun King
• He had total and unlimited control
 The Three
Estates
• The Social System that
dominated French
Society
• You were placed in an
“Estate” when you
were born, and it was
VERY difficult to move
out of it
THE FIRST ESTATE – THE
CLERGY
• Made up of the clergy – members of the
Catholic Church
• Needed money, education, and
connections to become a member of
the clergy
• Could demand a tax called a tithe – 10%
of a person's income
• Clergy was tax exempt
• MADE UP 1% OF THE POPULATION
THE SECOND ESTATE –
THE NOBILITY
• Made up of Noble People – Princes,
Princesses viscounts, dukes etc.
• Made up of those who were born into
nobility and those who received noble
status
• Received many perks, like not having to
pay taxes
• Made up only 2% of the population
THE THIRD ESTATE –
LITERALLY EVERYONE ELSE
• No, seriously, everyone else
• Included everyone from the wealthiest
businessmen and the poorest peasants
• Majority of people were very, very poor
• They were the ones who had to pay the
taxes
• MADE UP 97% OF THE POPULATION
Activity
• Fill in the blanks on the sheet comparing and
contrasting Rural and City life
• Then, reason that if you were a member of the 3rd
Estate, would you rather live in the city or in the rural
areas?
• All answers can be found on page 190-191
• We will then share as a class