French Revolution Blog Post #1
You have each been reborn into French society in the 1700s. You are a peasant, urban worker, bourgeoisie, noble, clergy, or the King and Queen.
Respond as one of the following based on your last name:
Peasants/ Urban Workers (A - D)
Bourgeoisie (E - H)
Noble (I - L)
Clergy (M - P)
Queen Marie Antoinette (Q - T)
King Louis XVI (U - Z)
Respond in the voice of your new role. What are your hopes for France? What is your opinion of Enlightenment ideas? What would you like to change and what would you like to stay the same. Why and why not?
You must also reply to the post of at least ONE other person by telling them if you agree or disagree with their view for the future of France and why (Remember you are speaking in your character).
All posts, including your response must be done by 10pm on Friday, 1-26.
I am a noble of France. As a member of the Second Estate, I hope that France will continue on with these three estates separating great nobles like me against these good-for-nothing peasants that only live to work the fields. My opinion of Enlightenment ideas is that it's a whole joke. C'est une blague! I believe that the way things are are enough as it is. These revolutionary ideas insult our very way of life. This Third Estate is just plotting of nonsense ways to increase their power, and I do not like it. Life has been simple enough the way it is and I do not want threats to my status especially since I do not receive much profit as it stands. Splitting my status and wealth with other individuals rising up in the social ladder is something I cannot stand for. The only thing that I would like to change is reverting the changes that have been made recently in favor of placing middle class men in the royal bureaucracy while placing more money in the pockets of the Second Estate. Despite us nobles receiving lavish entertainment and owning property, we obtain no tangible economic wealth and desire to solidify our position with more wealth. The middle class men taking our positions in government is an insult to me as well as my lineage. It is a disgrace for those lower than us nobles to be able to obtain the same positions as us. These changes would suffice and please me as well as many other nobles I know. Other than that, I am quite pleased with France as it is and wish to continue attending the King's parties and managing my estate.
ReplyDeleteNoble/Alyssa Lagua
I understand your concerns but I have to disagree with your view of the future of France. You hold your own gain (wealth, government positions, etc.) over that of the entire state, which includes much more than your population of nobles. The Enlightenment ideas that you despise so strongly could be the key to France becoming a more powerful and wealthy state in the long run, which would benefit you as well. While I share the same privileges as you (and more because I am the King), I have to take into account the well-being of France as a whole. Keep coming to my parties but know that there will be no parties if France collapses under the financial burdens that your views for France may entail.
Delete^^^^ - King Louis XVI
DeleteI cannot disagree with this more! Not only am I offended that you called us good for nothings, you dare complain about the amount of wealth that you're receiving? Oh, what I would do if I even had a third of what you earn! The majority of France is starving and dying, and you dare to complain about such trivial matters as minor threats to your status? How selfish you must seem, caring so much about the amount of wealth and power that you hold that you are able to turn a blind eye to your dying country. Not to mention the idea that you are disagreeing with the reforms that would improve our state simply because you cannot stand the concept of equality even existing. I am deeply appalled...
Delete- Peasant/Kristian Chau
As a Bourgeoisie, I agree with you. Living as the middle class, I am rich and life is great for me. So France should continue having the 3 estates. I personally don't feel that the enlightenment can change my way of life because if I stay rich, I can continue to buy land and that would allow me to be superior compared to the other people in my land. I'd also like my class to gain some position in the government because I want power.
Delete~ Bourgeoisie/ Tiffany Fung
As a peasant/urban worker, I most definitely disagree with your statements. I am part of the majority of France that works my butt off to provide and fund your stupid parties! And what do I get for all my hard labor? Absolutely nothing! The First and Second Estates are taking advantage of us and not giving back any incentive at all. Our voices are oppressed and ignored while you enjoy your lavish life. Do you not see your country suffering because of your narcissism and selfishness? We deserve more rights and freedoms and especially a vote in this government for the better of our country. Do not put us down until you've experienced life in our shoes!
Delete^ Peasant and Urban Worker/Nikolai Apilado
DeleteAs the King of France, I hope that France prospers under my leadership as I strive to surpass the legacy of my grandfather before me. I hope for the prosperity of all estates because I know the importance of the influence of the upper class (First and Second Estates) in addition to the hard work of the main population of the Third Estate. I am aware of the increasing dissatisfaction for monarchy left by the legacy of my grandfather, but my hopes include that this conflict will subside as my reign continues, returning to the adoration that the French population should feel for their monarchs. I hope that we are able to overcome our financial burdens, which, among many problems, includes the rising prices of flour and bread. In regards to Enlightenment ideas, I feel that they would greatly benefit France as they provide some more progressive concepts that would change France for the better. Based on these Enlightenment ideas, I would like to implement some reforms including the abolition of serfdom, the abolition of land taxes on peasants (Taille), and a new tolerance for both Jews and Protestants (without pushing out Catholicism). With the abolition of serfdom and Taille, I hope to win the support of the majority of the Third Estate (peasants). Although this may not have immediate benefits to our economic crisis, this will decrease the amount of resentment for the crown, which is something that will become increasingly important as France tries to recover from its problems. In addition to this, tolerating Jews and Protestants will also decrease the amount of conflict in France, moving one step closer to what I hope to be France's age of peace. Lastly, I would like to decrease the power of court factions in order to increase my own power because my "vote" should be the ultimate decision of the court. With the Enlightenment-inspired reforms, I can hope to gain the support necessary to remain in power, which is the main thing I'd like to stay the same. France needs a central leader to implement these necessary reforms and keep the state together, which is something only my absolute monarchical rule can accomplish. I hope that France will become the powerful and prosperous state that I know it to be while under my leadership, progressing under Enlightenment-inspired reforms, coming out of its economic crisis, and restoring its support and adoration for the monarchs that can make it all possible.
ReplyDelete- King Louis XVI/Angela Zhang
As a peasant/urban worker, I have done nothing but worked my butt off to keep this country functioning! Yet, it seems like I am only being punished for all of my efforts. We peasants make-up the majority of this nation, but we are still being ignored despite all the work we are putting it. We have paid so many taxes like land taxes, poll taxes, tithes that we are basically left with nothing at the end of the day. We've spent countless days farming the lands, and even more days working on the royal roads. And what do we get in return? We get even more taxes. The poorest of the poor of us have resulted in selling pots and pans, while some sit and beg on the streets. If anything, I would most definitely want lower taxes. This continuous raise of taxes, especially the ones on bread are absolutely ridiculous. I, as a peasant, cannot buy anything else but bread, so when you raise taxes on an essential, you are basically sentencing me to starvation all to fund you're fancy parties. In addition, as I stated before, we as the Third Estate have been ignored. I demand a change in government. The First and Second Estate hold too much political power, as whatever they say, goes, as long as it benefits the rich. We should have individual votes in our government on laws. As we make up the majority of the country, it is insane to not give us a voice. The choices that the First and Second Estate make affect us, not them, and we should have a say on what affects us. However, I do respect the King and his power, but he shouldn't control everything. Therefore, I believe a constitutional monarchy shall suffice, as it give myself and other peasants rights, while also granting the King power as well.
ReplyDelete-Peasant and Urban Worker/Nikolai Apilado
I and fellow citizens of France are enraged and dying from the social state and imbalance of our country. The unfairness we all suffer because of the King and the First and Second Estates! Because of their greed, we are emptied of our pockets our money and rights as they throw at us more taxes and more labor. We hope for better days that these devilish taxes are lifted and that we have a say in the wrongest of how the King rules our country. The King sees himself as a different entity as he isolates himself in a grand estate with riches and royalty as we peasants and urban workers even suffer to buy bread to eat! And the higher Estates are no better than the King! They enjoy the freedom of having no taxes and probably mock us of our poorness and suffering. End suffering and begin suffrage! Why can't we the people have a say in how our country should be ruled? We, more than the King or a noble, knows what's best for our society to prosper as a whole and give social justice for everyone. We, as the legs that keep the country of France standing, should be given more respect and rights from the vigorous work that we are forced to do. I hope that my country can take the ideas of the Enlightenment to push us forward to solve the poor social state and imbalance.
ReplyDelete- Peasant/Urban Worker, Ariana Aragones
As someone who is a part of the suffering majority of France, I wish for change. I agree with the enlightenment ideas, as they also wish for change - to limit the powers of the upper class and give a voice to more of the population. We, as peasants and workers, perform the most work and get paid practically nothing in return. We harvest, we farm, and all we get in return is taxed and ignored. How come the upper class gets to do so little yet have so much money and power? I'd like to abolish manorialism, for starters. Our landlords are far too demanding and far too stingy - I'd like freedom from the terrible system. I'd like to be taxed less. It's unfair that most of our savings goes towards the people who didn't earn it - we're poor enough as it is, barely being able to afford food. The inflation isn't helping either, majority of the population is being faced with starvation daily and nobody who can help seems to care. I wish for better jobs with better pay. Most everyone is either unemployed or working jobs with miserable salaries - I wish for more equality in terms of rights and distribution of wealth. France as it is right now isn't a country that I'd like to be in. I'm living a miserable life - most of us are - and change needs to happen.
ReplyDelete- Peasant/Kristian Chau
Hello, I am Queen Marie Antoinette, and I married King Louis XVI to become the Queen of France in 1774. I support the decisions that my husband makes and his goals to lead this great nation of France towards success. Although I do not have any true power within the French government, I am still able to portray my views and my hopes for this country going forward. I supported the abolishment of serfdom in the beginning of my husband’s reign, as well as the abolishment of Taille, which is a land tax on the peasants, as well as following more enlightenment ideas. We began to have a greater tolerance for those who are not Catholic, which decreased the amount of conflicts between different religious groups. I agree that my husband supports the colonists in America, and their goal to break away from British control, and to create a new nation of their own. I also agree with the fact that it is necessary to begin taxing the first and second estates along with the third estate who has been taxed all along. Due to our major economical issues, we need to make sure that we address these issues and not let them slide without notice. Although most of the population, especially the third estate, does not support the absolute monarchy form of government, we need to make sure that we can gain back popularity and fit the needs of the people. We can not afford to let our power slip and allow revolutions to begin to overthrow the government. We plan to keep this absolute monarchy in check. Although my own popularity has slipped since the beginning of my role as queen, we still need to make sure that our great nation continues to survive and prosper.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I throw the best parties in Western Europe.
- Queen Marie Antoinette / Erik Till
I do not agree with the abolishment of the Taille and the start of taxing the first and second estates. As a noble, I do not earn much money, and in this age of rapidly increasing prices, it is hard to make a living. The peasant class is the only class that should be taxed since they are working for money on my land. It is not reasonable to be taxing the second estate since we do not earn enough to pay both for taxes and our luxury products which is a necessity for us. We are in a higher social class for a reason, and it should stay that way.
Delete-Noble/Daniel Lee
As a member of the 1st estate, I do not want to be taxed. Most of the tax goes we pay goes to the commander-general. If we give him even more money by taxing the nobility and members of the clergy, the commander-general will keep getting a larger amount of power. This could lead to the general taking you and your husband over. So, do you really want to put taxes on us? Also, I don't agree with introducing Enlightenment ideas into France. The Enlightenment wants the Church to reform, which is not a good idea. The Church is responsible for a large amount of France's success. As of right now, most of our population is Catholic, which is largely due to our missionary efforts. The reason your rule is so effective is because of our Church, as we have helped create a population united under religion. If you brought Enlightenment ideas into France, and if the Church had to reform, the success France has seen because of the Church would go down. If we had to change some of our beliefs, a split between the population would occur, as there would be people who supported old beliefs, and some who supported the new beliefs. This would make it much harder for you to run the country as the population would no longer be united. If I were to suggest a reasonable change, it would be to only tax the 3rd estate, but even then, lower taxes on the peasants. To get the money we lost from the war, it is best to stop throwing so many parties for lords. The amount of money we would save if we only had occasional parties would help us gradually rebuild our economy. If you start taxing us, we will side with the nobles, and with the help of God, bring you to your knees. However, if you want to rule a peaceful and prosperous nation, it is in your best interest to follow my advice.
Delete- Clergy/ Krishna Patel
I would like to disagree with your views on the taxation of the clergy. By taxing the clergy, you would be limiting our ability to educate people on Catholicism, and would be limited in our efforts to spread it. If you begin to tax the clergy, how would we fund the operations of the church. Thus, it is a sin to take money away from people who are trying to spread God's name.
Delete^Clergy/Raj Patel
DeleteAs the king of France, my wish is to make France the most powerful and wealthy nation in Europe. My greatest hope is to win the support of the people. Without the support of the French people, I cannot rule efficiently, no matter how much authority I hold. Also, I hope that the French economy will be able to become more stabilized and efficient, so the peasants will stop protesting about the rising prices of food and the economy will recover and become wealthy again. I also hope the peasants will stop complaining and keep working. Their refusal to stop complaining about their so called hardships is driving France towards disaster. If only they stopped complaining and started working harder, they wouldn't be experiencing these hardships they claim to endure. In order to make France a great nation, new ideas must be adopted. I propose we adopt the idea of the absolutism, as any true monarch such as me must rule through reason and justice without having to deal with inferiors disobeying my orders. Similarly, I believe that serfdom should be abolished. Without peasants working for them, the nobles will have less money and therefore less power. Also, this will keep the peasants satisfied as they no longer are in service to the nobles. Along with the adoption of new ideas, change must be brought to France. I propose that the Second Estate should be reduced in power. The nobles serve very little purpose other than hold positions in office. They may have once been useful in helping administer the state, but now most of them are not needed and are an impediment in my rule. I also believe that the power of the monarch should be increased. Since I have the divine right to rule and have more experience than anyone else at ruling, I need to be able to do what's best for the nation without others trying to disobey my authority. Also, the courts and estates have been proven to not be able to reach agreement on many subjects, therefore they do not get anything accomplished and are only an obstacle in my way. Once I achieve absolute power, disagreements between estates and courts will come to an end as I will become the deciding factor in how the nation is ruled. With the support of the French people and the economy, I can make France the wealthiest and most powerful nation in Europe.
ReplyDelete-King Louis XVI/Eric Wang
Hello fellow French people. I am a clergy representing the Church and its glory in our discussion. My hopes for France is for everyone to recognize how important the Church is. As clergy, my job is to make sure every aspect of France, from the religion of people to the political decisions made by leaders, follows Catholic values. My hope for France in the future is to continue following Catholic values. The Church should always be a priority for the entire population of France. Saying this, I think that the Enlightenment is a waste of time. Due to the Enlightenment, there has been some controversy as idiot philosophers are saying that the Church should reform, but why should we? This is like asking our Catholic population to convert to an entirely different religion. NO, this can not be allowed. Our Catholic religion is superior to all others. Of all societies, including Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and even those that follow the philosophy of Confucianism, our society, which follows Catholicism is superior. We have the largest amount of power in the world. So, why should we, who are so successful because of our religion of Catholicism, have to reform? We should not. With the amount of power the Church has right now, we are able to influence our government to make the right choice, one that agrees with our religion. So, the power of the Church should stay the same. Enlightenment ideas should not enter France and corrupt the minds of our population to go against the Church, as they will be going against God Himself. If I were to suggest any change, it is to give clergy a larger share of the tithe. The additional share should be taken from the commander-general. If the commander-general continues to recieve such a large amount of tithe, he will slowly build up his wealth and even try to take over the throne. As supporters of an absolute monarchy, I know that King Louis and Queen Marie do not want this, so they should take away from the share of the commander-general and distribute it among st us clergy.
ReplyDelete- Clergy / Krishna Patel
Stop asking for tithe and maybe I would agree with you. The mass majority of crippled peasants don't want to pay the church we don't believe in. Also fairly you don't realize what we have to go through. If you were in our situation barely being able to eat(I want my bread) then maybe you too would join the enlightenment movement to avoid your tax. If you guys gained more power you would make us pay more to you than we already need to pay the government. So stop it. Stop letting us peasants suffer and perhaps if you worked on the fields you would know how much life sucks. While Catholicism may be the most powerful I would bet the people living in communities of other religions probable are happier than we are.
Deletepeasant, Nicolas Dimaano
DeleteI agree with you, and think that our peasant friend is simply misinformed and ignorant. He has lost faith in our God, and that is exactly why we need to support the Church and support the promotion of faith in our peasants. They have lost faith that where they are in life is part of His plan, and if they were to realize that fact they would stop with their rebellions.
DeleteClergy/Pandora Ondo
I am a bourgeoise which is in the third estate, however, I am apart of the upper middle class. I still pay tax to King Louis XVI as it allows me my higher position that I have; however, at his rate he is wielding too much power. My hopes for France are that us bourgeoises should have the ability to input our ideas and contribute to the government. I have many achievements and even my own land, but I am still not allowed to take on the better jobs that nobles have. I hope that more jobs will be open to the third estate since we are also capable of doing such tasks that the second estate does. I think that it’s unfair that even a higher middle class man such as myself, isn’t allowed to participate in the government or have better jobs because I can contribute ideas that would help make France stronger and help maintain the larger population of France that is the third estate better. I agree with the Enlightenment ideas because they will create a change in France which is much needed at this time, since the third estate is greatly suffering and not being cared for properly despite us being a majority of the population. The king’s power should be reduced, it doesn’t have to be completely removed but power should be shared. I also want our votes to count as individuals because we will always lose as an estate if we are the only ones voting against the first and second estates.
ReplyDelete-Bourgeoise / Bella Huang
As a Bourgeoisie, I hope that France can continue the way they are running their country with the first estate, second estate, and the third estate. As the middle class, I live a good life and have many riches. I do not want this way of life to be taken from me. My class is also split into first, second, and third estate and even the third estate (lowest class in the middle class) can buy political office and even titles. So the peasants of France should not be complaining since they probably live the same way the third estate of my class do. What is there to complain about? The enlightenment ideas do not bother me because as long as I stay rich and continue to live this way, it does not affect me. Although I usually avoid paying taxes, I do not want to pay taxes anymore. I also do not like the feeling of having no power in the government even though my class has made many achievements. I want this to be changed. I deserve power in the government!
ReplyDelete~ Bourgeoisie/ Tiffany Fung
I can agree with you with most of your statements. I believe that France is best left the way it is. Everyone lives according to a set routine that has not shown much difficulty. As a noble, I believe that our three estates are best left alone. I was fortunate to be born into this estate above the lowly peasants of the Third Estate, so I deserve these luxuries of no taxation and the ownership of land as well as the invitations to lavish parties of the King. While it would be nice to have complete control of the positions in the royal bureaucracy and to receive greater financial income, I cannot complain much. The Enlightenment will only worsen my status, so I do not approve of it.
Delete- Noble/Alyssa Lagua
As Queen Marie Antoinette, I must appreciate your work as a Bourgeoise, and understand your complaints as about the taxes. I agree with most of your statements and believe the way to resolve these economic issues are to tax the third estate and the third estate only. I will definitely express concerns to my husband about your government representation, and he hopefully will be able to accommodate your class as you deserve some representation. Additionally, I would love to invite your class to more of my wonderful parties as a token of my thanks for supporting the crown.
Delete-Sincerely with the best wishes from, Queen Marie Antoinette/Isabel Simmons
I agree with our fellow nobles. There should be no change made in what classes are being taxed. I enjoy a life without being taxed, but I do have my own responsibilities to tend to. I am a worker of the Church, and I have to make sure every decision I make is approved by our beliefs and God himself. I have much more responsibility than a stupid peasant, so I should not have to pay taxes like they do. Also, I don't want Enlightenment ideas in France. According to the Enlightenment, the Church and workers of the church, us clergy, should reform. Enlightenment ideas say that we as clergy are slackers, but this is evidently not true. Without us, there would be no one tending to the Church, so our job is the most important. We also make sure Catholic ideas are spread among the people. So, just like the nobles, the Enlightenment will hurt my status. As it doesn't affect the Bourgeoisie, I suggest you guys side with us in making sure the Enlightenment does not affect France. This way, even your guys' lives will stay the same. However, if Enlightenment ideas reach France, all of our lives might worsen. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN!!!!!!
Delete- Krishna Patel/Clergy
I am a noble of the second estate. My hopes for the country of France is to keep the social standings same as it keeps nobles above the useless peasants of France. I believe that we should keep our land and keep the middle class from rising as it would threaten my position as a noble. I believe that the enlightenment ideas are nothing but a scam. The enlightenment ideas are changing the government that is allowing the middle class to grow. The rising middle class is threatening my social standings as a noble. I do not earn much being a noble and a rising in lower social standings will decrease my earnings to nothing more than what a filthy peasant earns. I just want to keep my land so that I can stay on top of the the standings rather than others rising above me. I would like the government to change so that I can gain back the positions that were reserved for nobles like myself. The middle class is taking the positions that should've been for nobles only. It is attacking my personal earnings and this can start making the government tax nobles like myself. Taxing us nobles is something that should never happen, so the middle class should fall so we can keep our standing. I would like to keep the freedom to not pay taxes. Us nobles do not make a lot of money ourselves. We are already having trouble with the rapidly rising prices in the market place, and we don't need taxes taking a cut from our already low income. Keeping nobles from paying taxes is something that should stay for the rest of France's history.
ReplyDelete- Noble/Daniel Lee
I completely disagree with your stance on the way France should be run. You and your estate live off of the work my people do, working day and night to support your people and king. We are taxed so much we can barely survive, and the war that the top estates had started is forcing us to pay, killing our men and draining our wallets. And it's not even like you upper estates are using it for much, throwing lavish parties. The enlightenment is the only way my people will be able to survive, and the only way we would have any semblance to equality. The positions you think should only be for nobles could be run by educated middle class officials, since the literacy rate in France is growing exponentially. We may not be able to politically rival you, but the guillotine is always a quick way to end your power.
Delete-Peasant/Mohammad Baseer
I am King Louis XVI, the king of France. I hope France becomes of one of the most powerful countries and I hope to rule France in a better manner than my grandfather, Louis XV. To do so, I believe this country should follow those beliefs brought along by The Enlightenment. I believe they will benefit France for their better. We need to abolish torture, abolish serfdom, practice tolerance towards Jews and Protestants and abolish of the Taille. I understand France is not in the best place, economically, which is why I believe we must change and begin taxing the First and Second Estate in order to leave behind our economic struggle. What I would like to change about France currently is the power of my vote. As King, my decisions should matter more and be put into action if I choose. I would like to remain King during these times of hardship in France and pull my country out of its struggle. I believe by following the Enlightenment ideas, beginning a change in taxes, and keeping me in power will lead France to a better place.
ReplyDeleteKing Louis XVI/Alondra Ugarte Perez
I agree upon the fact that the upper estates should be taxed, as a peasant it's obvious that the taxing system is ignorantly put into place as well as unfair. It's simply a ridiculous system just for the fact that the poorest estate is contributing the most yet gaining nothing in return. However, I find it incredibly off-putting that you believe your vote should be the only one that matters. You, despite your monarch title are not the majority. Your decision affects the rest of us and right now it's not a positive effect. Your people, even with their loyalty, are starving and being forced into famine due to your selfishness. It is with this stance of "I am above all" that your people suffer.
Delete-Peasant/ Urban Worker// Mina Cadd
I agree with you greatly that we should follow and bring in some more ideas following the Enlightenment. These ideas will help France grow and benefit. I agree that serfdom should be abolished as well as the taxing system on the lower class that is clearly unfair and that we should represent all of social classes instead of just the nobility. I also support that my husband needs to stay in power and keep France strong. As long as my husband stays powerful, I stay happy. Whatever he needs to do to keep France's respect, I will support it.
Delete-Queen Marie Antoinette / Erik Till
Though you and I are both part of the higher classes of society, we have many disagreeing viewpoints. I do not necessarily agree with many of the ideas proposed by Enlightenment thinkers, such as thinking that all people in society are equal. Peasants are born to serve and work for others, and keeping the serfdom in place would allow many to continue feudalistic-style systems on estates, which has worked for hundreds of years. Why change such systems now? Additionally, why tax the First and Second Estates? Many nobles like myself do not earn much money, and even we are being pressed and pressured by the rising costs of goods and foods. Our loyalty and function to the state should serve enough reason as to why the Second Estate should not be taxed, but rather should continue to be given exemptions from such burdens. Regarding the voting system, I can see reason for the king having a stronger voice with his vote, but I also feel that such benefits should be extended to all the upper-class, particularly those who work for the state. As a noble, I protect France with my excellent military skills; should that not give me more benefits in choosing our nation’s leader?
DeleteNoble/JJ Janosik
As a peasant and urban worker of France, I wish for the economic growth and prosperity of my people, but only through major change in government and administration. We are the backbone of the nation and do most of the work, and make the least money, due to the large, crippling taxes put upon us by the church and state. I hope for the breaking up of this three estate system, and want the popular vote of the people to prevail over the wishes of the king and nobles. The enlightenment is the way we can achieve this, following its ideals of the rights of man and the way we should live, based off of reason and economic growth, not religious constrictions and social hierarchy. My people love our country and work hard for it to work, but if we have been struck by weak administration time and time again. The intense debt of our leaders cannot be paid off by the lavish parties of the king, or the bone breaking taxes put on us. We are taxed on everything: land, poll, and tithes to the church. We can only grow if the rights of my fellew peasants are acknowledged and upheld, and if they aren’t, we will have war, and the guillotine will need to be cleaned.
ReplyDelete-Peasant/Mohammad Baseer
I agree that peasants are the hard workers of France and that you should be treated better and rewarded for your work, but I disagree with your idea of a prevailing vote. As KIng, I should be able to set the rules I believe are right for my country, not let the workers rule the country. I agree with your views about the enlightenment; it provides with great ideas that would greatly improve our great country. I agree that our parties must be cut off and the unfail Taille should be removed. As King, I will work to better your situations.
DeleteI definitely disagree as Queen Marie Antoinette, because my husband and the upper estates work extremely hard for this country, and deserve to be appreciated. My husband may have gone a little bit overboard with the wars, but the main solution to the problem is to tax the third estate, as they make up most of the country. I also disagree with the Enlightenment ideals, and believe that absolute monarchy is the only way for this country to remain successful in years to come, because the common people do not know how to run a country. The peasants need to just do their work, and leave all the decisions to the higher ranking officials and if the people just trust the crown, everything will turn out ok.
DeleteSincerely with the best wishes from, Queen Marie Antoinette/Isabel Simmons
As a Peasant, I agree with your statement. I am all for helping France's economy. I understand France is not in the best economic situation, but it can still be helped by giving taxes to all estates rather than pressuring only one estate, which consists of us peasants. I also agree with your wish to give the third estate a voice. We make up the majority of France's population, so I too believe that we should all have equal voice rather than listening to only a handful of people speaking for all of France on their behalf.
DeleteMy hopes for France as Queen Marie Antoinette is that the King and Queen remain in power and also continue to be allied with Austria, as it is my birthplace. Additionally, I think a few changes could be made to increase the productivity of the country. More taxes need to be paid by the third estate to fund the government, but also to support my extravagant dances and parties. This would make sense to me as they make up 95% of this country, and taxing the upper estates whom make up 5% would be unnecessary, as they would barely be able to contribute, and already do so much for the people. I would like France to become more carefree in general with fewer wars and more parties so everyone can enjoy themselves and live a little. I think all this talk of Enlightenment is unnecessary and disruptive, because everything is perfectly wonderful as it has been and already is. I also believe that peasants should trust in the crown and upper estates that my husband will be able to pull us through these hard economic times. The major problem in this country is the disruptiveness of the third estate, so they should be the ones to blame.
ReplyDeleteSincerely with the best wishes from, Queen Marie Antoinette/Isabel Simmons
As a member of the Third Estate, I do not think we should pay more taxes because our estate is mainly made out of peasants and they don't even have enough money to pay for food as a plentiful of them are unemployed. The heavy tax burdens on the Third Estate would just make the economy even worst than before because most of us can't provide you with the money anyways. The nobles and clergy are the ones who should be taxed as they are wealthy, and has the resources and more money than combining an abundance of the Third Estate together.
DeleteAs another person of the third estate I don't think we should pay taxes just so that extravagant parties can be held for the first and second estate. Our taxes should be used to make France stronger and to pay off the debt of the wars we were involved in. Taxing the upper estates even a little bit would help considering that they actually have money, but instead you are taxing those who have no money left. The Enlightenment would actually help France as we are not very strong right now and the person of blame should be reconsidered as it is the first and second estate who are wasting the money on parties that only the first and second estate get to enjoy.
Delete-Bourgeoisie / Bella Huang
DeleteAs a member of the third estate specifically a peasant, I can assure you that upping the taxes on us would just make matters worse. We can barely survive with the amount of money that we make as seen by the riots and protests. As for your view on living a little in France and enjoying yourself, how about funding that money you spend on parties into bettering our country? I am sure that you understand the economic status of France, especially because we are in debt from many wars. Although the third estate makes up majority of France, we lack the money to fund the country, so it would not make sense to tax us further. Taxing those who have the money to give would be a lot better than taxing those who have none.
Delete-Peasant/Kyle Aranas
Delete"Enjoy themselves and live a little," how are you going to say that when your very own citizens are suffering over here. Your poorest class that don't have money or food and we still have to pay more taxes. We already pay land taxes, poll taxes, and tithes to the church. I just don't get how you think you and your husband think that we should pay you guys when we don't even have enough money to put food on our own table. You guys need to be paying us for the amount of work that we do from working the hardest, performing the most forced labor, and shouldering the greatest tax burden. You guys are the ones enjoying yourselves and living a little, we are s-u-f-fe-r-i-n-g.
Delete-Peasant/Kebron Abebe
DeleteAs a peasant, I have been suffering for a long time doing rigorous work for no reward. I have contemplated stealing food and goods from my own people because I do not make enough on my own. Because of the land taxes we are required to pay, along with unnecessary church taxes that take up 10% of our total profit. I end the day after working hours upon hours in the fields (which are made up mostly of peasants), not having enough money in my pockets, which results in not eating for the night, this applies to all the other peasants in the rural areas of France. And because of the countless wars France has gone through from no fault of our own, we cannot even buy the food we were previously only buying; bread. I do not understand the philosophy of the First and Second estates of France. Why are the people who do not even get paid from working almost every hour of every day, required to pay the most taxes? I think an easy fix would be an equal distribution of taxes among the three estates. The first estate should not be allowed to throw expensive parties in their equally as expensive manors, and not have to pay taxes. If we are all able to equally pay taxes, there will be less pressure on a specific estate which us peasants are feeling right now. And if the first and second estate do not wish to pay taxes as much as us peasants, then they should at least contribute to some extent, even if we still have to pay more taxes than the other estates.
ReplyDeletePeasant/Carlos Baez
As the king of France, I agree with some of your points and ideas. You stated that it is unfair for the First and Second Estates to be exempted from tax, which I agree is unfair. I agree that the clergy and nobles should start paying taxes too, as France's economy is in dire straits. I think the extra income from taxing the nobles and clergy will provide improvement for the French economy. However, I disagree that peasants should be taxed less. The taxes the peasants pay are important in keeping our military strong and our country stable. Without the peasant taxes, our military and nation would become weaker and vulnerable.
Delete-King Louis XVI/Eric Wang
Being part of the Bourgeoisie, or the middle class, my hope for France is that the government will continue to give people of the middle class privileges, as some of us, the upper middle class, are here for our talent and intelligence, not just by birth, therefore, we deserved this position in society. I also hope that the industry continues to revolutionize and our society continues to advance while giving deserving people more opportunities and even positions in the government or political positions. Avoided tax payments for the Third Estate should also continue in the future but should also give us more power since we have already achieved so many things in life and we are capable of handling those roles. Furthermore, the Enlightenment will also continue to improve France more and more as science, art, philosophy, religion, and politics prosper. With these advancements, more people are able to participate in the process of developing a better society, including craftsmen and lawyers. The Enlightenment allows people to express their speciality and professionals while benefiting the country at the same time. One thing that I would like to change is again, to give those in the middle class more opportunities in the government because we are all very talented and intelligent people. With our minds, the government can further advance and achieve even better and greater things. Of course, not everybody in the Third Estate can handle political power; therefore, I think interviews or some sort of process of elimination should be applied to when allowing us to obtain a position in the government. On the other hand, not having the middle class to pay taxes and allowing us to have other advantages should stay the same because we provide many types of service for the people of France such as conducting trade and providing them with goods, organizing banks, and protecting the rights of citizens in terms of legal rights. Without us, this thriving country simply could not happen as we all play very important roles in bettering this country’s economy and country as a whole.
ReplyDeleteBourgeoise/ Hannah Hu
DeleteHannah , the Bourgeoisie, I agree with avoiding taxes upon our estate and I do agree that not every one could have a political voice and having interviews could help us impact France for the better. I do however, think that you guys should be taxed as well, since we provide you guys goods that we grow from the land that we all live on.
DeleteI want bread. I was relatively well off being able to be fed till the economy tanked harder than it already was. Fairly as a peasant all I want for this country is for our economic situation to become better without having to damage the quality of life of others. This change can only be brought about by a change in the nobility. It is because of this I believe that the enlightenment movement supports us peasants. It values the quality of life of each individual man and woman as well as our rights for economic success contrary to the idea of religious and social class stances. It supports the main change I want to occur which is that the economy will change without having to inhibit the quality of life of others. The nobles increase our taxes to compensate for their costs and it is crippling us while they life lavishly. However, if changes are to come I would still like to continue working hard for this country. I love this country and will support it through my work, however, I am against aid that will ruin the lives of those who are the base of our economy.
ReplyDeletePeasant, Nicolas Dimaano
DeletePeasant Nicolas D., I agree with your view on the economy. As a peasant, you work and till my land, bringing riches not only to me but to the country. Through hard work, France will prosper. Social advancement could be granted through expanding the horizons of the economy to include more trade and other economic interactions. We should further expand the French economy in order to bring prosperity. As you support the Enlightenment, I feel like it will only disrupt and topple the government that reigns under King Louis XVI. I should only say that I believe my money should influence the government and grant me rightful power in it.
DeleteAs a French noble, I disagree with your viewpoints. I believe that the ideas from the Enlightenment are a complete joke. The Enlightenment will only encourage the middle class to challenge the nobility and gain positions in the government that are specifically reserved for the nobility. The ideas will also encourage peasants that are working on my manor to revolt against me. This will lower my social status and my authority over the peasants and manors. Good-for-nothing peasants like you should not be able to lead better lives. Nobles are already struggling to earn income and we do not make much money. Since, I was born into this estate above you despicable peasants, I should be able to tax you however I want in order for me to become wealthier and more powerful. Additionally, I deserve to have the privilege of not be taxed and attending the king’s luxurious parties.
Delete- Noble/Michelle Jiang
As a bourgeoisie of France, I form part of the upper section of the Third Estate. As a non-noble, I have the ability to own property, bringing me riches through my land. Using my riches, I am able to live a good life, in which I do not complain about. Production by the peasants should be keep high in order to be able to have a sustainable economy and dig France out of the debt ditch. Enlightenment ideas I feel like will only disrupt the government of France that is currently ruled by King Louis XVI. However, I feel like because I am able to tend large amounts of riches, I should be able to have a say in the government and not be limited to my class because of birth. I should be able to move through the estates using my riches. As a bourgeoisie I not only associate with agricultural economies, but I also tend trading services. Bringing our knowledge of different economies into the government I feel like will improve the current economic situation in which France is in. I believe the bourgeoisie should be able to have a say in the government as we can bring fruits of profit to France through production. We will have the bases to bring social advancement through France, which is critical for our own good. As I usually avoid high taxes by the King, I am able to keep more of my riches, this is something I would not want taken away. As a bourgeoisie of France, I believe the government must make some adjustments and hand us rightful power.
ReplyDeleteBourgeoisie / Michelle Garcia
DeleteI hope that France continues to be devout to our God and follow His wishes. As part of the clergy of the Catholic church, my goals are to inform both ordinary and high class people of the Lord and his wishes for our country. The Enlightenment is bringing foreign ideas to our country and corrupting our faithful peasants, making them turn on God and His scriptures. The Enlightenment is not enlightening our people, but is leading them down the wrong path and it must be stopped. France should be less focused on adopting new ideas and more concerned with spreading our Catholic missionaries to colonies and other parts of the world. Although revolution may be stirring in the hearts of our people, it is important to remember that we are one under our God, and where one is born and his conditions in life are all a part of His plan. The church has no need to reform. We have one goal, and that is to educate the people. What would we need to change? The only reform I would suggest is a larger share for the tithe, because funds for the church are necessary to continue to keep our sacred place of worship worthy of Him.
ReplyDeleteClergy/Pandora Ondo
Hello, Clergyman. I am Queen Marie Antoinette and as a symbol of elegance and royalty for the country of France, I disagree with your statements. In order to push this country to become a global power, we must be willing to reform and reinvent the idea of normal. A goal of mine is to have every Estate in agreeance on the idea of taxes and reforms. Most of the First and Second Estate see it fit to tax peasants heavily in order to circulate revenue once again, but we also see fit to incorporate the ideas of Enlightenment, such as the abolition of serfdom, torture, and the Taille, in order to gain the support of the Third Estate. These reforms, employing the ideas of the Enlightenment, could allow the court to find an agreement with the Third Estate, for these reforms could prove to the public that King Louis XVI and I are working in their favor as well, making their quality of life more tolerable with less maltreatment and slightly more money without the land tax. So, we may have to stray from traditional Catholic practices in order to bring prosperity back to France.
DeleteQueen Marie Antoinette/Anya Rajan
I agree with you, I also believe that reform for our church would be wrong.
Delete- Clergy/Colette McClanahan
As a French noble from the Second Estate, I hope that the French Empire will expand territorially and that the economy will improve, which would allow me to obtain more revenue by taxing the peasants on the lands that I own. As a noble, I play an important role in collecting taxes and protecting peasants from harm. Additionally, I control a manor where peasants produce food for me. Due to France’s economic situation, it is now difficult for me to earn money to pay for my luxurious clothes. As a noble, we should be able to display how much superior we are than the Third Estate! I am against the Enlightenment ideas because those ideas support revolts among the oppressed against the oppressor. Rebellions on my estate will threaten my authority and lower my status while giving the middle class (business people) more power. Due to their success in businesses, the middle class is already trying to translate wealth into having a political voice! How absurd is that! The businesspeople are now challenging the power of the aristocracy and some of them have already earned posts in the government. I would like the position of nobles to improve. Since we provide protection for peasants, I should be able to gain more privileges, continue to be exempt from taxes, and continue to control the manors. Additionally, I should be able to tax the peasants however I want if I am short on funds. However, I would like to change our government structure. I disapprove in having an absolute monarchy as the basis of our empire, because absolute monarchs will lower my authority as I will be forced to obey the king.
ReplyDelete- Noble/Michelle Jiang
I disagree, I think trying to bring more tax on peasants isn't such a good idea when we barely can even buy some bread. But I also think improving the economy will help in a more positive way, being in the second estate gives you lots of more advantages that can help you. Peasants make up most of the population and are the hardest workers so why should we pay taxes while all you're doing is collecting the money?
DeleteI would agree with you on the fact that Enlightenment ideas spread dissent among the people and will lead to rebellion. The ideas of the Enlightenment have spread among the third estate, and are causing them to lose their faith in God. I see that the Enlightenment ideas have also affected the nobles in a negative way. I think that these ideas should be purged from France, as the first and second estates would want them to be gone.
DeleteWith the amount of work that myself and my fellow peasants put into France, we would expect some benefit from the countless hours spent doing labor, however we receive the short end of the stick. Us peasants are forced to pay ridiculous amounts of taxes which are from land taxes, poll taxes, and tithes which if I did not mention was 10% of our income to the Church! I want France to be great just like you upper class-men, so I will put forth my wishes for France. I hope to have some sort of political voice, because as of now, the 1st and 2nd estates which are composed of nobility and the clergy, have all the power. Since they all have similar goals of keeping their power and their wealth, they would not want to give power to people in the 3rd estates. This however makes the political system in France unfair because we have no voice and therefore have no chance of making it anywhere. I would also like to see a change with the economy in how only peasants get taxed! Share the burden, we can barely afford bread, and even the slightest rise in price puts many of us endanger of starvation. How do you expect us to work when we are barely surviving or dead? Having a fair taxation on everyone would not only allow us to make more money and food for you upper class-men but France would actually be stable in our economy. Stop throwing parties to ignore that your country is dying. I am completely fine with working for my country, all I want to see change is giving a political voice to peasants as well as a fair taxing system
ReplyDelete- Peasant/Urban Workers/Kyle Aranas
I'd just like to politely remind you that the 10% tithe that is paid to the church is used to fund missionary efforts and the maintenance of God's churches as well as the building of new churches. Now, if you have lost faith in your God due to these silly Enlightenment ideas that say the church has an intolerance for dissent, it is clear that you have not been keeping up with God's word. Why would God create the human race just for it to fight among itself and create dissent?
DeleteClergy/Raj Patel
As a peasant I am utterly filled with discontent at the current state of France. After all this pointless spending, the third estate has little to no resources despite the fact we're producing all of the resources. Nothing that is going on within France currently right now is unfair, the third estate makes up over 95% of the population, we produce all food and resources for the upper estates yet WE are the ones forced into poverty and famine. As a peasant we often resort to religious beliefs in order to find hope yet in this case even the Clergy is found to be corrupt, they don't even pay taxes. It's ironic that the poorest estate is the one paying the taxes for literally everyone else. It's unfair and unjust, we have little to no education which means we can't be exposed to ideas following the Enlightenment we have no rights as people and it's ridiculous. I believe there is nothing wrong with working for France, it's all I'd like to do; I do not wish for that to change due to loyalty for my country. However, the mass majority of people should be allowed to have a voice, and just because one is of a higher class does NOT mean they should be void of taxes. The whole reason France is bankrupt in the first place is because of the upper estates' financial ineptitude; there is no reason that the lower estate should suffer consequences due to the decisions made by the upper estates. It's toxic and unfair, all we want is reasonable financial stability and a voice. That's not asking for too much?
ReplyDelete~ Peasant/Urban Worker- Mina Cadd
As a Noble in the second estate, I disagree with you because us nobles do not make as much profit as we'd like to from taxing peasants and from the profit we get from our lands. Although you believe that we are living a lavish and simple life, going to the King's parties and being free from taxation, some of us are so poor that we can't even afford the proper attire to attend the King's court. I was born into the second estate, so I have should have the right to be able to impose taxation because I am superior than you peasants.
DeleteNoble/Rebecca Jimenez
As a peasant in France, I would like to say that what our position at this state in France is quite unbelievable. I mean come on, we are the majority of the population, and the only part of the population that gets taxed. Our landlords tax us an unbelievable large amount to pay our land and poll taxes, but adding on to the list of payment we provide, we pay 10% of our income goes to church as well. Not only that but I work street seller as well, trying to earn a living, and I sell practically everything, from foods to pots and pans. Our population is mainly unemployed, making the taxes rise even higher, there are times where I cant even buy some bread for my family, causing us to go sometimes days without food. I wish for the King to fix this issue upon the country's largest population seeing as we pay the most and starving greatly.
ReplyDelete{Peasant : Selam Desta}
As the Queen of France, I Marie Antoinette, would have to solely disagree with you. You are a peasant, and you're supposed to do your part for the sake of the country. However, I do see your complaints on taxing. But, I will not do anything about it. Instead, I believe that you peasants should be taxed more to help the first estate.
DeleteBeing a french peasant I feel as if I've worked so much harder and longer than anyone else has and I am the only reason France is actually functioning. Looking at the way France is right now is actually disgusting and we have nothing left even after all the producing. Us peasants make up 75% of the population and always have to pay tax where the higher classes don't even have to pay. We should only spend our money where we need it and not on unfair reasonings that don't even help us , we don't even have education how is this fair. The population of the people keep dropping because of starvation and all we want some bread that we can afford. Also the enlightenment might be the only real way to help and have some equality between all of us. Us peasants should be able to have a voice, a real voice in all of this instead of always being shut down so quickly, like our taxes they should be lowered. The reason we are going bankrupt is because the upper estates don't know how to handle it and have no system, the big expensive parties don't really help. Things that need to be changed is the taxes for sure and us having a bigger voice in all of this. I will keep working because that's the only thing keeping us stable but things need to be changed around here and it needs to start here. The peasants here will stay loyal to this country if that is the only thing that is being asked for but thats what we want in return.
ReplyDeleteHello, fellow French. I am a member of the First Estate, or as you may know it, the religious clergy. I am here to share with you my hopes for France, my opinions on Enlightenment ideas, and my opinions on what should and should not be changed in the world. My hopes for France is as follows: I hope that the French can give the church the same importance that they used to give it. I, as a clergyman, have given my life to God, to make sure that France will follow the Catholic values that our ancestors have been following since the day that the Catholic Church was created. This leads into my next point: the fact that the Enlightenment has been a complete nuisance. The ideas promoted by the Enlightenment are undermining religion and moral order as well. As a result, our populace is losing their undivided faith in God. As a result, I think there are certain things in this country that should be changed. I think that France should give a larger share of the tithe to the church, as this would help us mount new missionary ventures that will spread God’s name. I would also like the Enlightenment ideas to be purged from France, as they have been taking attention away from God. Enlightenment thinkers should also be made to leave, as they have had the nerve to say that the church should reform. I would like to eliminate Enlightenment thought and get a larger share of the tithe so that God can be made great again. Some things that should stay the same are no taxes for the clergy and our control over education, as we clergymen make God’s name ring throughout France.
ReplyDeleteClergy/Raj Patel
As I am King Louis, I do not agree with your ideals regarding enlightenment or taxes. In order to have a stable financial country, and for there to be less peasant upheavals, creating equal taxes is how we will get there. By establishing and administering such a reform, our country can start to get back to what it once was before. Regarding your ideas on enlightenment, I don't see how disbanding slavery and serfdom undermines the morals of the country, none the less, the people. If anything such Enlightenment ideas share good morals; however, I am not stating that all Enlightenment ideals are good. For your point about giving more tithe to your catholic church, I am not sure if that would be the best idea, considering of what happened in the past with indulgences, once again, history does repeat itself.
DeleteI am a noble of France, so I believe my response should be heard before the responses of any of the peasant classes and should also be taken with more consideration. Many of the systems in place in France aid me in my day-to-day life, so I have great respect and support for our state. For example, being exempt from the property tax that is put on peasants has freed me from much stress, and I feel that this is lawful because nobles like myself are above peasants, peasant responsibilities, and peasant work. However, I am very concerned about the idea of having the middle class work in our state’s bureaucracy. Some nobles are finding it difficult to support themselves even with their position above peasants, and I feel that moving back to more traditional systems, such as having nobles run the bureaucracy, would help our position. This would also solidify our class, the Second State, above the common people's class, the Third Estate. Regarding the Enlightenment, I feel that such a revolution in thinking may have the possibility of throwing the entire social, political, and economic systems of France, and possibly the rest of Europe, into chaos, with so many ideas garnering both support and hatred from different people. For this reason, I do not support the Enlightenment. Also, I do not support the idea of all people in society being equal to each other, which is another major idea revolving around several Enlightenment figures; the First and Second Estates are far above the common people and peasants of the Third Estate. Overall, I feel that the traditional systems and functions of France should be reinstituted and kept, such as the keeping and intensifying of the serfdom and peasant labor. Also, nobility should be given distinctly better opportunities as compared to peasants, and France should not progress toward equality among all the different levels of estates. This would allow nobles to earn more money by having top-level positions secure and ready for us to take. Additionally, I feel that the lower classes should continue to be suppressed in order to keep systems, like feudalism, that have worked for the upper-class for hundreds of years. This would also ensure that the rich can get richer by feeding off of peasant work. If the social status of the common people is raised, how will I be able to sustain my own family and estate? If such an event were to occur, I might not have any workers to produce food for myself and my family. Economically, I believe France needs to move towards lower prices in goods and foods because I know of several nobles who are financially strained and are having a difficult time supporting themselves, their estates, and the overall state of France. Because of my loyalty and ability to serve in the state’s government and military, I believe that relief from certain burdens given to nobles, such as exempt from taxing land, is justified and should continue.
ReplyDeleteNoble/JJ Janosik
As a peasant speaking for the rest of us, let me start off by saying that me and my fellow peasants are sick of the other classes. No one knows what we go through everyday trying to survive. We suffer more than any other class because why you ask? Because we are the lowest people in the class but we are the most hardworking people who basically give back to the other classes. Its supposed to be the other way around, but we preform the most forced labor and greatest tax burdens. We pay the most taxes even though we are broke ourselves. And when we pay those taxes, some of the money goes to the church, the royals, etc. The only thing that we have good is that some of us actually get to farm in our own land, but its not all of us. Others were still sharecropper and still had to pay their dues to their own manor owners. While we are struggling to get jobs as servants or street sellers or even construction workers, whenever landlords need money, they raise money off of us. They wouldn’t even have to ask us for money if they just hadn’t gone in national debt. The war with Britain caused us to suffer so much, we didn’t even have food. Being poor led me and my fellow peasants to start begging or even committing crime. This is what being poor, mistreated, and lied does to you. I hope that the people of France would just recognize that we aren’t people that others can just take money from and abuse us. We need to work together as a nation and our King needs to be a better leader and actually guide us to success and not bring the lower class down just because we are poor, but because HE IS MAKING US POOR! I believe that we should all have equal rights that include equal taxes. I believe that we need to change the fact that the classes are completely tearing and separating France and causing problems that makes us peasants angry. Something that needs to stay the same is the right to farm our own land. Who are we to farm other peoples lands? We need to start working for ourselves and only ourselves. Just because we are peasants doesn’t mean that we are not normal people. We still have a life of our own that we are trying to build.
ReplyDeletePeasant/Kebron Abebe
I, King Louis XVI am the reigning king of the French empire, and I have statements that I wish you all to hear and consider. Regarding my country, I have several decrees I would like to make. For France, I hope to restore my economy back to what it once was as well as creating a moderate level of happiness for the Second and Third Estates. In order to do such tasks, I have come to the conclusion that I need to equally tax each estate and continue my support with the Americas; however, in order to establish equal taxes I need to call an Estates General meeting. Regarding the Enlightenment ideas, I support the ideas of the abolition of torture, serfdom, and taille; as well as the tolerance of Jews and Protestants to keep some peace. Continuities for my country would have to be the support of the Americas and to do everything in my power to bring my countries economy back to a good standing.
ReplyDeleteKing Louis XVI / Kate Wong
Queen Marie Antoinette x Jake Schwalier
DeleteAs your longstanding wife, I would have to agree with these statements. I support the tax reform as I believe that it will help lessen the economic strain that we all feel. I also support the abolition of serfdom and taille as I helped bring them around and it helped peasant relations with us. finally, I believe that we must do everything we can to keep our power and restore our economy with the help of the peasant class.
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ReplyDeleteGreetings, France. I am Queen Marie Antoinette. As you know, I will be touching on my hopes for France, my opinions on Enlightenment ideas, and if I would change anything in the empire as of right now. My hope for France is for the French aristocrats, nobles, and general public to accept the fact that an alliance with Austria has occurred. Although, Austria has been seen as an enemy in the past, it is now part of the royal line's blood and should be respected as such. I would like to see the court unite as one rallying force against a large population who clearly does not see our effort to forge new alliances for our country and our government. Another goal I have is to bring more revenue into our country. I understand we are lacking at the moment, but we can redeem ourselves and bring prosperity once again. To achieve this, an understanding must be brought between all of the Estates in order to smoothly run this economy, but at the moment, this has not been achieved. The rising price of flour and bread due to famine and agricultural losses have caused mass starvation and depletion of the quality of life among France. The most contributing people to this empire are the workers and peasants, and must, therefore, give back as much as possible to our monarchy if they would like to see France become a leading force in the global economy. This goal should be in the minds of every citizen of France, not just the court. In order for everyone's life to improve, including the Third Estate, sacrifices must be made. Further, my husband Louis XVI and I have very similar views on Enlightenment. I did not disagree with his choices to abolish torture and serfdom. I did not disagree with his tolerance towards Jews and Protestants. I did not disagree against his abolition of the Taille. Although, I did not protest, nobles did. This is something that must be changed to push our country forward. King Louis XVI thought in accordance with Enlightenment, introducing ideas that were humane and quite logical. Nobles became obstacles in the reforms. These reforms could have brought the peasants and the general public in favor of our monarchy because much of these reforms benefited them, seeing that land tax was going to be abolished, as well as torture and serfdom. I have brought elegance to this court and country and I plan to keep it this way, for my galas and parties have kept the nobles entertained in times when the government needed to function without the interference of people who were not willing to reform.
ReplyDeleteQueen Marie Antoinette/Anya Rajan
As a noble, and in the second estate, I am glad that the French social class is the way it is. I am separated from the peasants, who are at the third estate and I get to live a simple life, being at the second estate. I completely disagree with the royal bureaucracy employing middle-class people, especially men, into positions that were especially reserved for nobles like me. That’s not fair for nobles like us who are superior to peasants. I also don't like the idea of the third estate increasing their social status so that it reaches the second estate. As for the Enlightenment, I don't agree with the ideas and beliefs since it will change the government and is supported by the third estate. The rebellions and revolts occurring also support Enlightenment beliefs. Adding on, my hopes for France are to keep us nobles exempt from paying taxes since many of us nobles do not make as much profit, keep having ownership of land, and to keep the three estates the way they are now. I live a lavish and simple life, attending the King's parties and being exempt to taxes. I would like for the position of nobles to change, since we have a reserved spot on the social ladder. I would also like to impose tax on the peasants, since we make little financial incomes. We as nobles, should be superior to those below us. Merci, au revoir.
ReplyDelete- Noble/Rebecca Jimenez
As the Queen of this fine country, Queen Marie Antoinette, I do hope that France can grow stronger while forgiving their once hostile countries, including the country Austria. I hope that any class poorer than myself can provide me and my husband with food and help France recover from our debt. Honestly, I support ideas from the Enlightenment as I had helped abolish our tax system, Taille. I am quite tolerant toward other who do not practice Catholicism and it was I who helped stop serfdom and I began to apply a tax to my class and the 2nd highest class, clergy etc, in addition to the peasants in order to ease economic conflicts and help our debt problem. I would like us to continue expansion as it is economically beneficial and will give the peasants more room to produce foods, which will, in turn, help our economic pitfall. I would like the peasants to cease their pointless revolutions against us, as they will never overthrow the monarchy, but the civil unrest is not profitable, so I have decided to change some laws. Finally, I would like the people's attitudes to change towards my husband, and me by association. Unfortunately, I believe if he is ever to suffer from a downfall, I will be affected by it.
ReplyDeleteQueen Marie Antoinette x Jake Schwalier
I am Marie Antoinette, Queen of France. I hope that the people of France will accept my choice of being allied with the Austrians. I also hope that my husband, King Louis XIV, and I will reign in power for a long time, as I continue to support him. I don't really mind all of this talk about Enlightenment, as the era is almost over. It's time for Romanticism now! As for changes, let's talk about taxes. It seems that the third estate isn't too happy about all the taxing that has been brought upon them. I do see why they complain about it though. However, I still believe that the third estate should pay taxes. It's for the sake of the country! Imagine all the power if the first estate was wealthy! It would be for the best.
ReplyDeleteQueen Marie Antoinette/ Allison Tang
Let me start out by saying that I am speaking on behalf of my fellow clergy members. Many of the ideas that will be spoken below are supported by all of the church officials, and it’s likely that I will repeat many of the same concepts that other clergy members have states. To start off, I want to discuss my hopes for our country France. As the church is a strong force in our country, I hope that it continues to be that way for many years to come. Something else that has bothered me for many a long is the “Enlightenment” that was brought on by people from other regions in west Europe. This has destroyed our church in France and we’ve lost control of the many people that followed us once before. Overall, I feel that the "Enlightenment" of our church is what is brining us down, and hopefully the church of France will continue to rein strong in our country.
ReplyDelete- Clergy/Colette McClanahan