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What was the Estates General?
What was the Estates General?
An assembly that represented the entire French population through three groups, known as estates; called by King Louis XVI in May 1789 to discuss the financial crises.
What was the First Estate made up of?
What was the First Estate made up of?
The clergy of the Roman Catholic Church.
What characterized the Second Estate?
What characterized the Second Estate?
Rich nobles who owned 20 percent of the land in France and paid almost no taxes.
Who made up the Third Estate?
Who made up the Third Estate?
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What does the term 'Bourgeoisie' refer to?
What does the term 'Bourgeoisie' refer to?
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Who was Louis XVI?
Who was Louis XVI?
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What are some characteristics of Marie Antoinette?
What are some characteristics of Marie Antoinette?
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What is a lettre de cachet?
What is a lettre de cachet?
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What was the taille?
What was the taille?
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What is the Bastille known for?
What is the Bastille known for?
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What does Ancien Regime refer to?
What does Ancien Regime refer to?
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Study Notes
Estates General
- Assembly representing the French population through three estates, convened by King Louis XVI in May 1789 to address financial issues.
First Estate
- Composed of the clergy of the Roman Catholic Church, this estate held significant privileges and was exempt from direct taxes.
Second Estate
- Made up of wealthy nobles, owning about 20% of France's land and similarly enjoying near-total tax exemptions.
Third Estate
- The largest estate, encompassing the Bourgeoisie, Peasants, and Urban Workers; characterized by minimal wealth and power but responsible for nearly all taxation.
Bourgeoisie
- The middle class, including bankers, factory owners, and skilled professionals; well-educated advocates of Enlightenment principles, often wealthy yet heavily taxed without privileges.
Louis XVI
- French monarch inheriting substantial debt and heavily borrowing to support American revolutionaries against Britain, ultimately straining the economy.
Marie Antoinette
- Louis XVI's wife, known for vanity and a lack of political interest; faced public disfavor due to her foreign origins, spending habits, and delays in producing a male heir, earning her the nickname "Madame Deficit."
Lettre de Cachet
- A royal decree allowing the King to order the arrest and imprisonment of individuals without trial, reinforcing the monarchy's absolute power.
Taille
- A direct tax imposed on French peasants that constituted a primary income source for the monarchy, exempting the nobility and clergy.
Bastille
- A medieval fortress turned prison, stormed by peasants seeking ammunition at the French Revolution's onset, becoming a powerful symbol of tyranny.
Ancien Regime
- The traditional social hierarchy in France divided into three estates, with the clergy and nobility enjoying privileges over the commoners.
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Description
Explore the key terms and concepts surrounding Pre-revolutionary France with these flashcards. Each term provides essential context about the social structure and events leading up to the French Revolution, including the Estates General and the roles of the First and Second Estates. Perfect for students and history enthusiasts alike!
