Question

1. in what ways does the picture above represent french society before the french revolution?
2. according to the website, what was the first step of the french revolution?
3. why did louis xvi call the estates-general?
4. did the estates-general work? explain.

Explanation:

🆕 New Concept Discovered: Causes and Structure of the French Revolution
Analyzing the social, financial, and political breakdowns of the Ancien Régime.

Step 1: Analyze Question 14 (French Society)

Before the French Revolution, French society (the Ancien Régime) was divided into three rigid social classes called "Estates":

• First Estate: The Clergy (church leaders).
• Second Estate: The Nobility (aristocrats).
• Third Estate: Everyone else (peasants, urban workers, and the wealthy bourgeoisie), making up about 98% of the population.

Political cartoons of this era typically depict a peasant (Third Estate) physically carrying a nobleman (Second Estate) and a priest (First Estate) on his back. This represents how the Third Estate bore the entire tax burden and labor of the nation while the upper two estates enjoyed wealth and tax exemptions.

Step 2: Analyze Question 15 (First Step of the Revolution)

Historically, the first major political step of the French Revolution was the summoning of the Estates-General in May 1789, followed closely by the Third Estate breaking away to form the National Assembly and taking the Tennis Court Oath in June 1789. (Note: Since this question refers to a specific "website" from your assignment, check your assigned reading to see if it highlights the calling of the Estates-General or the formation of the National Assembly as the official "first step".)

Step 3: Analyze Question 16 (Why Louis XVI called the Estates-General)

King Louis XVI called the Estates-General to meet in 1789 because France was facing a severe financial crisis. The country was nearly bankrupt due to:

• Extravagant royal spending.
• Costly foreign wars (including supporting the American Revolution).
• An outdated tax system where the wealthiest classes paid almost nothing.

The King needed approval to implement new taxes to save the country from financial ruin.

Step 4: Analyze Question 17 (Did the Estates-General work?)

No, the Estates-General did not work.

The system was fundamentally flawed because of its voting structure. Each of the three Estates got exactly one vote as a whole group, rather than voting by head count. This meant the First and Second Estates (the Clergy and Nobility) could always team up and outvote the Third Estate 2-to-1, even though the Third Estate represented 98% of the population. Because the King refused to change this voting system, negotiations broke down, leading the Third Estate to declare itself the National Assembly and launch the revolution.

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Answer:

14. In what ways does the picture above represent French Society before the French Revolution?

It typically depicts the unfair social hierarchy of the Three Estates. A member of the Third Estate (peasants/commoners) is shown physically carrying the First Estate (Clergy) and Second Estate (Nobility) on his back, symbolizing that the poorest class bore the entire tax and labor burden of the nation.

15. According to the website, what was the first step of the French Revolution?

The first major political step was the summoning of the Estates-General by King Louis XVI, which led directly to the Third Estate breaking away to form the National Assembly and taking the Tennis Court Oath. (Verify with your specific class website, as it likely points to one of these key events).

16. Why did Louis XVI call the Estates-General?

He called it to resolve a catastrophic financial crisis. France was on the verge of bankruptcy due to war debts and royal overspending, and the King needed to approve new tax reforms that would help raise money.

17. Did the Estates-General work? Explain.

No, it did not work. The voting system was unfair because each Estate only received one collective vote. The First and Second Estates (Clergy and Nobility) voted together to block any reforms proposed by the Third Estate (the commoners), despite the Third Estate representing 98% of the population. This deadlock caused the Third Estate to walk out and form their own revolutionary government.