French Revolution

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• French intellectuals and the bourgeoisie supported Enlightenment ideas.

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• French estate was bankrupt as a result of the participation in the American War of Independence.

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• The Estates General brought together representatives of the three estates of de Realm to advise the king on important issues, such as tax increases. - Clergy and nobility had 300 representatives. -Middle class and peasantry had 600 representatives.

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• Nobility and Clergy wanted to protect their traditional economic privileges. They refused to pay taxes. Middle class and the peasantry were also discontented.

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• the third Estate proposed a new voting system in which each representative would have an individual vote. The King refused . Third Estate declared themselves the true representatives of the nation.  

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• The Girondins (they were more moderate). The Jacobins (they were more radical).

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• By 1795, France moderate middle class, gained more control over the country. They established the Directory (more conservative government composed by 5 members). In 1799 Napoleon Bonaparte, gained power and create the Consulate(was a group of three leaders)

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• The king agreed to the Third Estate´s demands. At the same time on the 14th july 1789 they attacked the Bastille.

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• King Louis XVI was accused of treason and then executed This was happening under the leadership of Robespierre. The Jacobins persecuted and executed about 42.000 counter- revolutionaries