In this Grade 5 World History and Geography lesson, students explore the long-range and immediate causes of the French Revolution, examining how France's three-estate system created deep social inequality and widespread discontent. Students learn key terms including estate, taille, bourgeoisie, and sans-culottes as they analyze how the tax burdens on the Third Estate and the economic crises of the 1780s pushed France toward revolution. The lesson also introduces how Enlightenment ideas fueled growing opposition to the Old Regime's rigid social and political order.
Section 1
Social Inequality Divides French Citizens
French society before the revolution was organized into three estates: clergy, nobility, and commoners. The first two estates owned significant land and enjoyed privileges while the Third Estate struggled despite being the largest group.
Section 2
Economic Crisis Forces King to Summon Parliament
Despite fifty years of economic expansion, bad harvests, manufacturing slowdowns, and royal extravagance created a budget crisis. King Louis XVI ultimately had to call the Estates-General, which hadn't met since 1614.
Section 3
Third Estate Creates National Assembly
When Third Estate representatives demanded equal voting power, they were denied. In response, they declared themselves the National Assembly on June 17, 1789, swore the Tennis Court Oath, and began drafting a constitution.
Section 4
Revolution Abolishes Privileges and Establishes Rights
The National Assembly abolished noble and clergy privileges on August 4, 1789, then adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man. These documents proclaimed equality before the law and freedom of speech and press.
Section 5
Revolution Grows More Radical Through Violence
The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, marked a turning point. Later, war with Austria, food shortages, and the king's attempted escape led to his capture and the rise of the radical Paris Commune.
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Section 1
Social Inequality Divides French Citizens
French society before the revolution was organized into three estates: clergy, nobility, and commoners. The first two estates owned significant land and enjoyed privileges while the Third Estate struggled despite being the largest group.
Section 2
Economic Crisis Forces King to Summon Parliament
Despite fifty years of economic expansion, bad harvests, manufacturing slowdowns, and royal extravagance created a budget crisis. King Louis XVI ultimately had to call the Estates-General, which hadn't met since 1614.
Section 3
Third Estate Creates National Assembly
When Third Estate representatives demanded equal voting power, they were denied. In response, they declared themselves the National Assembly on June 17, 1789, swore the Tennis Court Oath, and began drafting a constitution.
Section 4
Revolution Abolishes Privileges and Establishes Rights
The National Assembly abolished noble and clergy privileges on August 4, 1789, then adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man. These documents proclaimed equality before the law and freedom of speech and press.
Section 5
Revolution Grows More Radical Through Violence
The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, marked a turning point. Later, war with Austria, food shortages, and the king's attempted escape led to his capture and the rise of the radical Paris Commune.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter