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The Causes of the French Revolution
The primary causes for the French Revolution can be divide up into two overall reasons, which were the long standing causes and main (biggest) causes, which can and will be broken down even more. They can be broken down into more specific and detailed.
The long lasting causes were the ones that had been bothering the French for many years, which made them want the a change. The government was run by LouisXVI, who was an Absolute monarchy in France at that time. Because the Louis XVI had increasingly large powers over France's society, including: National System of Justice, Influence over the catholic church, the right to decree taxation and the leader of the military forces, the monarch had to be a strong, resposible, and stable person. Louis XVI was none of the above.
The population was divided into three estates at the time. The Third Estate was made up of the bourgeoisie, wage earners and the peasantry. They were the majority of the population. The Third Estate was also known as the estate of the commoners. The Second Estate was for the nobility. They were of minor rank. The First Estate was the clergy. Who were very wealthy and powerful. The first two states enjoyed privileges over the Third Estate. Although they were the wealthest, they were exempt from taxes. They were also the only merabers in society who could hold positions of importance such as officers in the army, political leaders, and other high positions. This really made the Third Estate angry.
Also there was great need for taxation reform in France before the Revolution. The inefficiency of only taxing the third estate showed in the government’s budgets. The government was experiencing large debts and eventually went bankrupt because of over spending by the goverment including the king. This was made worse by the Nobles because they refused to pay taxes. The nobles were determined not to give up their tax concessions. This proved to be a great problem for Louis and his advisers. The peasants and bourgeoisie were also discontent due to the large taxes that they had to pay.
Due to costly wars and extravagant spending on courts, Louis XIV and Louis XV had played a main role in helping to bankrupt France. Their extravagant spending on courts could be seen by the sheer size and beauty of Versailles. The cost of the wars was great in two main ways. The French had suffered big defeats and therefore had lost men and supplies. They also had failed to gain any territory; in fact they often lost a lot of it. The worst war was the Seven Years War as this war drained the most out of France and this was when France lost most of her colonies toBritain.
The peasants had many grievances. One of the main grievances was the seigniorial system. This system allowed for greater income disparity in France and a real separation of classes.
This often left peasants almost isolated compared to the rest of society. The peasants were burdened with huge amounts of taxation that were nearly impossible for them to pay. This is why the peasents were so angry at this time.
This new growth lead to problems within the Ancien regime business expansion also. Plus the people saw prices steadily rising. This did not help the privileged classes whose incomes were fixed. But it helped the Bourgeoisie largely because they became wealthier and more powerful from this rise. The Bourgeoisie made up the largest proportion of society in France compared to the rest of Europe. This helped them gain more attention and power. The more town life increased the more and more bourgeoisie profited from good business expansion. This also made the Bourgeoisie despise the current tax system as it meant using money to pay tax that they could be using to expand. They wanted a uniform tax system.
The growth of new ideas amongst the Bourgeoisie reflected their high education levels. It also was prompted by the new ‘Age of Enlightenment’ that was taking place in France. Revolutionary thinkers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, the Encyclopedists corabined with economic theorists corabined with new theories. They presented an idea of a liberal society that flourished with free commerce. This appealed especially to the businessman of the Bourgeoisie. The thinkers also challenged the absolute right to rule and presented ideas of equal rights and the abolition of the class system.
The main causes for the revolution were the main reasons fought for. The French Monarchy was successful in running deficit budget after deficit budget. This was aided by large costs brought on from previous spending by Louis XV and Louis XIV. This did not stop Louis XVI from adding to the troubles. Instead of implementing tax reform Louis was insistent on not annoying the nobility. Therefore he had to borrow the difference. This started a constant loan cycle develop. When Turgot tried to stop this he was overthrown by Marie Antoinette’s hatred of him and the nobility’s wish to see him fired.
The aristocrats were exempt from taxes. When Turgot tried to change this Necker promptly replaced him. This shows the power that the nobility actually held over the King regarding tax concessions. A more powerful and strong King may have chose to crush the nobility or to force taxes upon them. Louis did not.
Instead France went without tax reform. Necker’s reckless loan policy worsened the situation. Necker the French financial adviser was sacred of the Nobility. This made him refuse to recommend tax reform. This is understandable after the demise of Turgot. Necker’s fatal was mistake had been in introducing a loans scheme that saw the public debt rise each year. Thisput the financial situation of the monarchy in a very precarious position.
This worsened everything that was already going on. The expense of sending troops and supplies to America was huge. This is even worse considering France’s already poor financial position. The main reason for sending support to the Americans was to get revenge against the British after the erabarising Seven Years War. During the last year of support the government’s financial difficulties reached a state of emergency and still Necker and Louis XVI did not introduce tax reform.
The cost of support to America was not just associated with money. Already in France a new school of thought was developing amongst the Bourgeoisie. This was further aided by the transmission of Revolutionary thoughts from America back into France. Many French Troops (mainly the Bourgeoisie) came back encouraged by the revolution to introduce a revolution in France. These ideas included that: It is right to take up arms against tyranny; There should be no taxation without representation; All men should have liberal freedoms; A Republic is superior to a monarchy. Obviously these new ideas provided much conflict with the ideas prevalent in the Ancien Regime.
Ideas expounded by Voltaire and Rousseau held the Bourgeoisie captive. They captured the attention of the Bourgeoisie by promising free commerce and more liberal freedom. Thinkers also challenged the dogmas of absolutism. Reason they believed was a higher force than the monarch’s claim to divine right. The brotherhood of men, equal rights and responsibilities should replace privileges. Men should develop through opportunity and education and not because of birth. This all encouraged critical thinking among the Lower classes especially them Bourgeoisie. They became critical of absolutism, the class system, privileges and the lack ofliberal rights. Discontent was becoming more General and Vocal. Discontent was no longer confined to one section of society. This new Disposition of Mind had encouraged various sections of society to become more vocal and critical of the system. People were now willing to speak up about their grievances and their was more pamphlets published in this time.
Long standing criticism f the monarchy was only reinforced by the revolutionary ideas imported from America. These ideas gave the thinkers an actual system other than Britain that they could refer to in their writings. The aristocrats were denouncing the monarchy’s absolutism. The nobility were long discouraged by their loss of rights. They worked back into surrounding the monarchy with themselves in positions of power. The special concern of the nobles was to see that the king did not introduce tax reform. They wanted more political power to make sure events like this did not happen. While they denounced the monarchy’s absolutism they wanted to set up their own form of it.
The Bourgeoisie also attacked privileges of the Nobility for centuries the Bourgeoisie had accepted a position of social inferiority to the nobility. Due to the increasing monopoly that the nobility were holding on privileges and the Bourgeoisie’s own improving conditions this caused many Bourgeoisie to despise the aristocracy. They also despised the absolutism of the monarchy. They had been the most influenced by the Disposition of mind. The peasants were drawn to the ideas of the Bourgeoisie.
The ideas drew the peasants for two man reasons. First they related to peasant grievances and second the Bourgeoisie was really the only class that the peasants associated with. The peasants saw the idea of tax reform and equality as the way to the abolition of the seigneurial system, which was their main grievance.
The causes of the French Revolution were numerous and complicated. But the out come was benifical. Now this revolution might not of happened if the age of inlightenent was not around or if Louis XVI wasn't king at the time who knows, but one thing is for sure what happens happens and who knows when the next revolution will be except the man up stairs. I hope that with all the lives that were taken for this event it was worth it to them and others alike and it wasn't for nothing. Because no one should die for no reason or just for the heck of it.
The primary causes for the French Revolution can be divide up into two overall reasons, which were the long standing causes and main (biggest) causes, which can and will be broken down even more. They can be broken down into more specific and detailed.
The long lasting causes were the ones that had been bothering the French for many years, which made them want the a change. The government was run by LouisXVI, who was an Absolute monarchy in France at that time. Because the Louis XVI had increasingly large powers over France's society, including: National System of Justice, Influence over the catholic church, the right to decree taxation and the leader of the military forces, the monarch had to be a strong, resposible, and stable person. Louis XVI was none of the above.
The population was divided into three estates at the time. The Third Estate was made up of the bourgeoisie, wage earners and the peasantry. They were the majority of the population. The Third Estate was also known as the estate of the commoners. The Second Estate was for the nobility. They were of minor rank. The First Estate was the clergy. Who were very wealthy and powerful. The first two states enjoyed privileges over the Third Estate. Although they were the wealthest, they were exempt from taxes. They were also the only merabers in society who could hold positions of importance such as officers in the army, political leaders, and other high positions. This really made the Third Estate angry.
Also there was great need for taxation reform in France before the Revolution. The inefficiency of only taxing the third estate showed in the government’s budgets. The government was experiencing large debts and eventually went bankrupt because of over spending by the goverment including the king. This was made worse by the Nobles because they refused to pay taxes. The nobles were determined not to give up their tax concessions. This proved to be a great problem for Louis and his advisers. The peasants and bourgeoisie were also discontent due to the large taxes that they had to pay.
Due to costly wars and extravagant spending on courts, Louis XIV and Louis XV had played a main role in helping to bankrupt France. Their extravagant spending on courts could be seen by the sheer size and beauty of Versailles. The cost of the wars was great in two main ways. The French had suffered big defeats and therefore had lost men and supplies. They also had failed to gain any territory; in fact they often lost a lot of it. The worst war was the Seven Years War as this war drained the most out of France and this was when France lost most of her colonies toBritain.
The peasants had many grievances. One of the main grievances was the seigniorial system. This system allowed for greater income disparity in France and a real separation of classes.
This often left peasants almost isolated compared to the rest of society. The peasants were burdened with huge amounts of taxation that were nearly impossible for them to pay. This is why the peasents were so angry at this time.
This new growth lead to problems within the Ancien regime business expansion also. Plus the people saw prices steadily rising. This did not help the privileged classes whose incomes were fixed. But it helped the Bourgeoisie largely because they became wealthier and more powerful from this rise. The Bourgeoisie made up the largest proportion of society in France compared to the rest of Europe. This helped them gain more attention and power. The more town life increased the more and more bourgeoisie profited from good business expansion. This also made the Bourgeoisie despise the current tax system as it meant using money to pay tax that they could be using to expand. They wanted a uniform tax system.
The growth of new ideas amongst the Bourgeoisie reflected their high education levels. It also was prompted by the new ‘Age of Enlightenment’ that was taking place in France. Revolutionary thinkers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, the Encyclopedists corabined with economic theorists corabined with new theories. They presented an idea of a liberal society that flourished with free commerce. This appealed especially to the businessman of the Bourgeoisie. The thinkers also challenged the absolute right to rule and presented ideas of equal rights and the abolition of the class system.
The main causes for the revolution were the main reasons fought for. The French Monarchy was successful in running deficit budget after deficit budget. This was aided by large costs brought on from previous spending by Louis XV and Louis XIV. This did not stop Louis XVI from adding to the troubles. Instead of implementing tax reform Louis was insistent on not annoying the nobility. Therefore he had to borrow the difference. This started a constant loan cycle develop. When Turgot tried to stop this he was overthrown by Marie Antoinette’s hatred of him and the nobility’s wish to see him fired.
The aristocrats were exempt from taxes. When Turgot tried to change this Necker promptly replaced him. This shows the power that the nobility actually held over the King regarding tax concessions. A more powerful and strong King may have chose to crush the nobility or to force taxes upon them. Louis did not.
Instead France went without tax reform. Necker’s reckless loan policy worsened the situation. Necker the French financial adviser was sacred of the Nobility. This made him refuse to recommend tax reform. This is understandable after the demise of Turgot. Necker’s fatal was mistake had been in introducing a loans scheme that saw the public debt rise each year. Thisput the financial situation of the monarchy in a very precarious position.
This worsened everything that was already going on. The expense of sending troops and supplies to America was huge. This is even worse considering France’s already poor financial position. The main reason for sending support to the Americans was to get revenge against the British after the erabarising Seven Years War. During the last year of support the government’s financial difficulties reached a state of emergency and still Necker and Louis XVI did not introduce tax reform.
The cost of support to America was not just associated with money. Already in France a new school of thought was developing amongst the Bourgeoisie. This was further aided by the transmission of Revolutionary thoughts from America back into France. Many French Troops (mainly the Bourgeoisie) came back encouraged by the revolution to introduce a revolution in France. These ideas included that: It is right to take up arms against tyranny; There should be no taxation without representation; All men should have liberal freedoms; A Republic is superior to a monarchy. Obviously these new ideas provided much conflict with the ideas prevalent in the Ancien Regime.
Ideas expounded by Voltaire and Rousseau held the Bourgeoisie captive. They captured the attention of the Bourgeoisie by promising free commerce and more liberal freedom. Thinkers also challenged the dogmas of absolutism. Reason they believed was a higher force than the monarch’s claim to divine right. The brotherhood of men, equal rights and responsibilities should replace privileges. Men should develop through opportunity and education and not because of birth. This all encouraged critical thinking among the Lower classes especially them Bourgeoisie. They became critical of absolutism, the class system, privileges and the lack ofliberal rights. Discontent was becoming more General and Vocal. Discontent was no longer confined to one section of society. This new Disposition of Mind had encouraged various sections of society to become more vocal and critical of the system. People were now willing to speak up about their grievances and their was more pamphlets published in this time.
Long standing criticism f the monarchy was only reinforced by the revolutionary ideas imported from America. These ideas gave the thinkers an actual system other than Britain that they could refer to in their writings. The aristocrats were denouncing the monarchy’s absolutism. The nobility were long discouraged by their loss of rights. They worked back into surrounding the monarchy with themselves in positions of power. The special concern of the nobles was to see that the king did not introduce tax reform. They wanted more political power to make sure events like this did not happen. While they denounced the monarchy’s absolutism they wanted to set up their own form of it.
The Bourgeoisie also attacked privileges of the Nobility for centuries the Bourgeoisie had accepted a position of social inferiority to the nobility. Due to the increasing monopoly that the nobility were holding on privileges and the Bourgeoisie’s own improving conditions this caused many Bourgeoisie to despise the aristocracy. They also despised the absolutism of the monarchy. They had been the most influenced by the Disposition of mind. The peasants were drawn to the ideas of the Bourgeoisie.
The ideas drew the peasants for two man reasons. First they related to peasant grievances and second the Bourgeoisie was really the only class that the peasants associated with. The peasants saw the idea of tax reform and equality as the way to the abolition of the seigneurial system, which was their main grievance.
The causes of the French Revolution were numerous and complicated. But the out come was benifical. Now this revolution might not of happened if the age of inlightenent was not around or if Louis XVI wasn't king at the time who knows, but one thing is for sure what happens happens and who knows when the next revolution will be except the man up stairs. I hope that with all the lives that were taken for this event it was worth it to them and others alike and it wasn't for nothing. Because no one should die for no reason or just for the heck of it.