To make matters worse, their lives were full of misery and social degradation. Many peasants had little to eat because their money went to pay taxes. The bourgeoisie, despite their education and wealth, suffered social discrimination and resented the treatment they received. .
The people "resented the rising and unequal taxes, the persecution of religious minorities, and government interference in their private lives." During this period, a population boom, along with inflation and food shortages, threatened the survival of millions of poor Frenchmen. Royal officials hoarded food reselling it at higher prices. The people viewed the government as inefficient and saw Versailles as a symbol of corruption and waste. .
Criticism even came from the king's own ministers who distributed pamphlets protesting royal initiatives that threatened the rights of the people. The philosophes and other great thinkers and writers: Montesquieu, Voltaire, Diderot, Thomas and Rousseau in particular, added their intellectual arguments against the government. In his Social Contract, Rousseau stated that there was a contract between the king and the people under which the king has a responsibility to promote and protect the people in return for their loyalty. Since this contract had been broken, the people had to revolt against the autocracy to free themselves of their feudal bonds. The works of these intellectuals prepared the French people intellectually for the Revolution.
The discontent and intellectual preparedness of the French people may have led nowhere had it not been for the inefficient and antiquated financial system of the monarchy. By the late 1780's, it could barely cover the interest on all its royal debts. With previous attempts at financial reform having failed, the king was forced to summon the Estates General for the first time in 175 years in order to raise revenue. .
The king's expectation that new taxes for all and less privileges for the First and Second Estates quickly turned around on him when the Third Estate along with some nobles and clerics challenged the government demanding that the Third Estate be given a fair and equitable voice.
The French Revolution of 1789 had many long-range causes. During the time before the French Revolution, there were three social classes in France. ... The monarchy was a huge reason for the French Revolution. ... The American Revolution played a crucial role in the French Revolution. ... The French Revolution of 1789 had many long-range causes. ...
The Enlightenment and the political leaders led France to financial problems, causing the French Revolution. ... One cause of the French Revolution was the formation of the National Assembly, which was the representation of the French people. ... Another cause of the French Revolution was the storming of the Bastille. ... All in all, the Puritan and French Revolutions are related to one another. ... The French Revolution gave France their first written constitution, ended feudalism, and abolished monarchy. ...
The French Revolution unleashed many new forces and destroyed old ones. ... The revolution unified France and enhanced the power of the national state. ... The French Revolution was a classic political and social experience. ... Socialism, liberalism and nationalism were all results of the French Revolution. ... The greatest legacy of the French Revolution however, was that people could ch...
On the eve of the Revolution, France had grown to such a state that a revolution was irrefutable. ... First, there were many downfalls concerning the economic state which had to be corrected in order for the three major ideals of the French Revolution to be realized. ... After realizing a revolution and their petitions answered, France vowed not to return to a tyrant. ... All in all, the French government created its own revolution. ... The French revolution was built upon these ideals which would correct any and all corruption in the government. ...
The French Revolution was believed to be the bourgeois revolution for the noble cause of equality. Moreover, it can be stated that the French Revolution had a great impact on the whole of Europe. The French Revolution took place from 1789 to 1799. ... Another immediate cause of the French Revolution is the rising price of the bread. ... Hence the outcomes of the French revolution were such that there was the abolition of the French Monarchy. ...
The French Revolution was a very different revolution of its time. Unlike previous revolutions, the French Revolution was very violent. ... There were many phases of the revolution that changed France. ... After seeing what caused the French Revolution, we must now compare the form of government before the Revolution, and after the Revolution. ... Without this revolution, France would still be behind. ...
The French Revolution was a period of significant social and political changes in French history which had major impact on the political, social and cultural developments not only in France and Western Europe. Many historians studied the French Revolution and while they often disagreed over the relative significance of specific changes or developments, they agreed that the French Revolution is a very important event in modern history, and more radical than either the English or American Revolutions. ... State-Run Schooling Culture of France, as well as the world, was also changed by the revo...
French Revolution So what sparked the French Revolution? ... Well, that's how things working in France. ... It is clear why a Revolution was long overdue. ... So, in a nutshell this shows us how the French Revolution came about and what provoked it to transpire. ...
The measures of two important revolutions held major contributions to their nation; these two revolutions are the French Revolution and the Philippines Revolution. The French Revolution took place from 1789 to 1799. ... Of all the revolutions studied in global history, the French Revolution and the Philippine Revolution has had the greatest social, economical and political impact. The French Revolution was a time period when a large number of French citizens took actions to change the unequal distribution of power. ... The French Revolution and the Philippine Revolution have influenced thei...
Success is measured in failure, and during the French Revolution, France experienced many failures. ... Therefore, the revolution was indeed successful, the people set out to change France, and that's exactly what they did. ... When the revolution began France was originally a monarchy ruled by Louis XVI, which many people had qualms about. ... France had since moved on from its early revolution days, and was now attempting a rebirth, putting all of its experience into play, looking forward to what was to come next leading into the Industrial Revolution. To end, the French revolution was...
