causes of the revolution
Key events
French society
100

This estate made up 97% of the French population but had little political power.   


What is the Third Estate?

100

On July 14, 1789, revolutionaries stormed this prison, marking the start of the French Revolution.  

 


What is the Bastille?  

100

This estate, comprising the clergy, made up about 1% of the population but controlled vast land and wealth.  


What is the First Estate?

200

This intellectual movement inspired revolutionary ideas of equality and democracy.  

 


What is the Enlightenment?  

200

The Third Estate declared itself this governing body, challenging royal authority.  



What is the National Assembly?  

200

The nobility belonged to this estate, which had privileges like tax exemptions and high-ranking government positions.  

What is the Second Estate?

300

France faced a financial crisis partly because of its involvement in this expensive war.  


What is the American Revolution?

300
Ascended to throne on 1774.

 

When did King Louis XVI ascended the throne?

300

Representing roughly 97% of France’s population, this estate included everyone from wealthy merchants to poor peasants.  


What is the Third Estate?

400

King Louis XVI called this meeting in 1789, the first of its kind in 175 years, to address France’s debt crisis.  



What is the Estates-General?  

400

This King of France, married to Marie Antoinette, was executed during the French Revolution.  


Who is Louis XVI?

400

In the Ancient Régime, French society was divided into these three hierarchical estates.  


What are the First Estate, Second Estate, and Third Estate?

500

This unfair system required the Third Estate to pay nearly all taxes while the other two estates paid little or none.  

 

What is the taxation system of the Ancient Régime?

500

The storming of this fortress-prison on July 14, 1789, is considered the symbolic start of the French Revolution.  


What is the Bastille?

500

In 1789, frustrated with their lack of political power, members of the Third Estate broke away and formed this revolutionary governing body.  



What is the National Assembly?