The Underlying Cause Of The French Revolution

The underlying causes of the French Revolution in 1789 have long been a matter of controversy between historians. The origins of the French Revolution link back to the social unrest prevalent throughout the period. The role of the Bourgeoisie is often pin-pointed as a pivotal role in the conflict between different social classes. Marxist historians argue that the cause of the revolution was the rise of the roles of power the Bourgeoisie had in French civilisation, such as control of finance, production and trade. Opposing this, Revisionist historians have stated that the Bourgeoisie had no monopoly in these sectors and that the revolution 'was largely the work not of a rising capitalist bourgeoisie, but rather a declining professional one.

The economic crisis France was facing after fighting the American Revolutionary War and The Seven Year War meant that the state was bankrupt. Louis XVI’s taxations meant that there was a further widening gap between the rich and poor. A large majority of the population relied on agriculture as a means of living. The agrarian crisis of 1788 meant that the injustice of a poor majority paying indirect taxes such as the Taille and the Gabelle, led to popular discontent and serious food shortages across the state. Thus, adding fuel to the unpopularity of the monarchy and the nobility who were exempt from taxes. The food shortage riots could be said to be the first manifests of revolutionary action. Mass urbanisation and the beginnings of an industrial revolution meant the large population of peasants moved into cities, leading to mass overcrowding, adding to the growth of revolutionary ideas that pre-existed from the Enlightenment period. The parliament and nobles failure to put in place reformist measures highlight the extent of disintegration for the Ancien Regime. Although this was an important factor, the third estate had little influence on the political status quo of the time, which was largely influence by the first and second estates. The financial crisis that impended upon France can be linked to the political crisis as it was the French monarchy’s involvement in several wars that led

Even if the French government had resolved the economic crisis, it is doubtful they would have prevented the demand for democracy within the lower classes. To do so it would have needed a complete transformation of their aristocratic style of government and to keep with the new Enlightenment notions of public affairs. Contemporary views suggest that the French government’s willingness to depend upon force to stabilise power, highlights the liabilities of the French monarchical system. Although this factor is important, the government’s inability to reform the economic structure is paramount as it leads to the popular discontent of the third estate. With this, the economic crisis and the Bourgeoisie’s creation of the nation assembly are the most prominent factors in the lead up to the revolution as the Bourgeoisie’s movement acted as a catalyst for the social change that occurred during the French revolution. Without the economic conditions, there would not have been the underlying resentment from the lower classes which furthered the Bourgeoisie’s movement towards a democratic republic. Had the Bourgeoisie been content with the social and political situation throughout the period, it would have been far less likely for them to start revolutionist movements. Although the