ipl-logo

What Caused The French Revolution Essay

491 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Social class of the french revolution

The French revolution was a revolution that transformed one of the greatest royal empires into a liberal and radical form. The French would rise up against the government and control the empire transforming the human nature, laws, constitution, and even the form of government. The causes of the French Revolution are “Social Division”, “Economic Crisis”, and “Ideas of the Enlightenment”. Before the Revolution, France was socially divided by classes. There were the 1st estate-nobles, 2nd estate-clergy, and the 3rd estate-peasants. France had followed the monarchic system based on division called as “Ancien Regime”, the classes were dictated by “birth” (Feudalism) and it was impossible to transfer classes since it had to meet legal requirements. …show more content…

The people in the 3rd estate had to pay taxes for many events that the monarch demanded, one reason that led France to “bankruptcy” was the Debt of Seven Years’ War, and the France paid for their military, and supporting the American Colonists in American revolution. Another reason of economic hardship was the failure of agriculture. Due to the disastrous weather destroying the crops, and unfit to grow crops for income and tax payment. While people can’t get or harvest enough food and economic value, the consumer prices rise as the people rage since the price is very unbalanced from what they have earned. Lastly, the monarchs have full power and control and this stage, the enormous borrowing and spending of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Marie Antoinette had spent money in jewelries and her interests, Louis XVI used the money to build the palace in Versailles. (Versailles was one of only-noble privileges). The entire events led France to bankruptcy, and forcing Louis XVI to call an Estates-General meeting. Louis XVI requests the 1st and 2nd estates to pay tax like the 3rd estate, which they immediately refuse (Population 98%-peasants), causing the 3rd estate to create the national

Show More
Related
232 Words | 1 Pages

The French Revolution occurred because of political, social, and economic inequalities within France. Unfair taxing in France contributed to starting the French Revolution because the third estate had to pay the most, despite the fact that they were the poorest class. The third estate had to give about 50% of their income to paying taxes, while the first and second estate had to pay less than 10% (Doc 2). This caused the third estate to start to go hungry, and lots of tension was building up.

Read More
390 Words | 2 Pages

The French Revolution started July 14, 1789 in France and endured till Nov 9, 1799. The French Revolution lead to the abolishment of a monarchy and turned it into a republic. The fundamental causes of the French Revolution were social imbalance, political injustice, and economic instability. Socially, France had an unequal distribution upon the 3 estates. Politically, the monarchy was over thrown and turned into a republic.

Read More
626 Words | 3 Pages

The high taxes, high prices on goods, and unequal distribution of wealth in France were reasons why the French Revolution started. There were three estates in France; the first estate was the clergy, the second estate were the nobles, and the third estate was made up of of three groups; average French workers, Bourgeoisie, and peasants. The French Revolution led to many wars; Louis XVI was a very weak leader, and he was executed. Napoleon Bonaparte became emperor, and the revolution came to an end. The main causes of the French Revolution were the difficult life of the peasants; the issues between the three estates; and the unfairness of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen.

Read More
697 Words | 3 Pages

The French Revolution was a radical period in France between 1789-1814. The French Revolution has had a big impact on the infrastructure of France, those impactful ideas are even seen today. These ideas of enlightenment brought to society by French revolutionaries influenced the French Revolution down the line. Their were things that caused the Revolution like the financial state of the common people in France, the political system, and the way the Estates General was set up. All of those led to effects like the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen”, the execution of King Louis XVI, and the Rise of Napoleon as well as his Revolution.

Read More
1106 Words | 5 Pages

France was already in a financial debt crisis and he attempted to solve this by recklessly forcing increased tax rates on the Third Estate. Meanwhile, he and his wife Marie Antoinette continued spending money on themselves. A famous scholar named Montesquieu said, “To be great, one has to stand with people, not above them” (Doc 5). This quote expresses that, a remarkable ruler, must consider the input of others which closely resembles a democracy. It aligns with the ideas of the Enlightenment

Read More
378 Words | 2 Pages

The French Revolution was a revolution in France from 1789 to 1799. It also led to the end of the monarchy, and to many other wars. But every revolution has a cause right? Whether it be a major argument or one person's different belief, it’s still a start. The causes of the French Revolution were a lack of guidance, an unstable economy, and ideas from the American Revolution.

Read More
455 Words | 2 Pages

Rights were given to all peaceful french citizens. In Document B.” All hereditary titles and privileges of nobility are abolished. “ For hundreds of years before the reign of terror, there were three estates. The nobles and the clergy were the first two estates. They had many privileges such as not paying taxes and having the top jobs.

Read More
670 Words | 3 Pages

There were also many new ideas that were being developed and shared with the public. There were many roots of this event. The French Revolution was caused by the mistreatment of the third estate, the American Revolution, and by the Enlightenment. One of the elements that contributed to the commencement of the French Revolution was the mistreatment of the third estate. Life was rough for everyone

Read More
512 Words | 3 Pages

The French Revolution was a drastic time for the people of France. In 1789, the majority of people were living in poverty and dealing with terrible conditions. People were split into three estates: the first, second, and third, the first being the wealthiest. Political, economic, and social situations were what contributed to people’s desire for change. The three main, or biggest causes of the French Revolution, were taxes, inequality, and lack of reform.

Read More
490 Words | 2 Pages

The second estate had to pay taxes but not as much as the third. Also, the spending of money carelessly by the king and queen, further damaged the country. Their expenses were made up with goods and keeping and building the royal palace. this shows all the financial problems France faced during the revolution. Overall, the arrival of Napoleon Bonaparte made things

Read More
1016 Words | 5 Pages

The French Revolution was a time of radical and social upheaval. Conditions in France both economically and politically caused much discontent among the people of the Third Estate. Which not only included peasants but during this time was made up of everyone that wasn’t a noble or of king-like status, such as merchants, artisans, and the middle class (bourgeoisie). After the Enlightenment, the people of France began to question their government and society. Especially the people of higher class in the Third Estate.

Read More
1427 Words | 6 Pages

During the Eighteenth Century, France had an absolute monarchy with Louis XVI as king and Marie Antoinette as queen. In that time period, French society was based upon a system of Estates where the clergy made up the First Estate; the nobility comprised the Second Estate, and everyone else including professionals, peasants, and the bourgeoisie made up the Third Estate. The Third Estate was immensely unhappy with the old regime, the Estates General, and Louis XVI’s leadership. France was also in the midst of a fiscal crisis due to the American Revolution, Louis XVI’s lavish lifestyle, the Seven Years War, and the tax exemption of the First and Second Estate. Following the surge of new ideas and impactful philosophers from the Enlightenment,

Read More
1350 Words | 6 Pages

King Louis XVI, who was the ruler at the time, was a main contributor to these problems that led France to its downfall. The country had a massive lack of resources and food, which led King Louis XVI to borrow more money than he could afford, thus putting the country in immense debt. Despite the very visible crisis overthrowing the country, the king was incapable of accepting his mistakes and refused to change his ways. He maintained the unjust voting system, known as the Estates-General, and worsened the taxing system in order to pay off his debts. The people, especially those of the Third Estate, were clearly angry and dissatisfied with the state of the country, which led them seek out a movement for what was right.

Read More
491 Words | 2 Pages

Socrates strongly believes that “an unexamined life is no life for a human being to live.” From reading “Apology,” Socrates has shown his people to question not only others about their knowledge, but to question one’s knowledge too. When speaking about knowledge, it’s not necessarily speaking about one’s stance in their vocabulary or how much you know when it comes to mathematics, rather it’s speaking about life subjects, how much you know about yourself relating to life in general. And that is when examining one’s life is very valuable. It not only helps you reflect back on your achievements, but it also helps you reflect back on your flaws.

Read More
608 Words | 3 Pages

Owning a home is a frightening and tiresome practice, particularly if it's your first time! “Would I seriously afford a mortgage loan?” “Why would I buy a house?” They are a couple of the numerous doubts you may be thinking about at the same time as looking for a home loan. This is very true for low to moderate salary people and people who reside in a rustic area.

Read More

More about What Caused The French Revolution Essay

Related Topics

Open Document