AB SocSt20-1 Expressing Nationalism Practice 03

 PRE-THINK

How much do you know concerning the following:

1) The ancien regime

2) The Estates-General and the National Assembly

3) The causes of the French Revolution

4) The terms First, Second, and Third Estate

5) The term bourgeoisie

 Entry Exercise

This entry exercise concerns the immediate causes of the French Revolution. As you read the points you can check them off.

  By the later 1700s, France faced economic depression.

  For many of the preceding years, France was continually at war (particularly with the English)

  The government of France was deeply in debt.

  Taxation was high on those who could least afford it.

  Taxation was unfair as members of the First and Second Estates faced little taxation.

  Drought and poor crops had led to starvation for many (especially among city dwellers).

  There was high unemployment in the urban centres.

  The First and Second Estates lived extravagantly and this was evident to the members of the Third Estate